AWC said that any decision to elevate the general will violated the interim constitution, Nepal´s obligations under international human rights laws, Supreme Court precedents and the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission and the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal.
“AWC wants to see strong commitments from the state not to repeat the human rights violations of the past by promoting Major General Singh in lieu of his expected suspension,” it said in a statement.
AWC has voiced its concern at a time when the government is preparing to promote Singh to Lieutenant General, a post that has been lying vacant since June.
Singh is facing serious accusations including the disappearing of 49 detainees from Bhairabnath Battalion, which was under his command during the time of the conflict. Singh was in charge of the 10th Brigade, which includes Bhairabnath, when the disappearances occurred.
“As per the principle of command responsibility under international human rights law, if there is prima facie evidence to establish that a person was in command and human rights violations took place under his command, his presence as the commander is sufficient for him to be liable to be prosecuted,” AWC said in the statement.
AWC further said that the issue is not the promotion of one man [Singh], but a symbol of the commitment of the government to human rights and rule of law.
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