NHRC condemns attack on human rights protectors

Kathmandu / December 4: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned the attack on human rights defenders monitoring the Madhes agitation and called on the government to take action against the perpetrator.

In a statement here Friday, NHRC has pressed for immediate investigation into the incident of physical assault on the human rights activist, vandalism, arson attack and damages to property, and initiation of legal action.

The agitators on Thursday attacked a team led by NHRC official Nitu Gadtaula consisting of Mandira Shrestha, Biva Dhungana and Sri Ram Karki at Jutpani area of Nawalpur in Sarlahi district. The attackers torched their vehicle, camera, important documents and jackets used during the monitoring work.

Commission Spokesperson Mohana Onsari took strong exception to the attack terming the attack inhumane and against Nepal’s Constitution, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders 1998, international conventions on human rights and prevalent laws.

The Commission has been making public factual and unbiased reports based on ground level inspection carried out by teams led by NHRC members so as to enforce the compliance and to abide by the human rights in course of the Madhes agitation, NHRC said.

The NHRC in its report has pressed the government and the agitating side to be sensitive towards upholding human rights and immediately stop attacks on public, journalists, human rights protectors and ambulances being used for humanitarian cause.

The Commission has further drawn the attention of the government and the concerned stakeholders in protecting human rights activist, journalists, individuals and parties undertaking humanitarian works, and to stop obstruction of fundamental services related to human life, health, education and food. RSS