Editorials

INSEC recorded that 2,668 people were victims of human rights violations and abuses from April to June 2024. During these three months, 32 individuals, including 5 women and 27 men, were victims at the hands of the state. The incidents of state-perpetrated violations include 1 case of arrest, 7 cases of assault, 1 case involving child rights, 4 cases of deaths in prison, 2 cases of inhumane treatment, 15 injuries, 1 case related to the right to expression, assembly, and organization, and 1 case of threats.

During this period, 2,626 individuals, including 2,473 women and 153 men, were recorded as victims of human rights abuses by non-state actors. Additionally, 10 incidents of damage to physical structures and properties were documented.

Moreover, during this period, 29 people were victims of inhumane treatment, 3 were abducted, 80 were assaulted, 5 faced caste-based discrimination, and 5 were victims of threats by non-state actors. In incidents of killings by non-state actors, 51 women and 36 men were affected.

Some Representative Incidents

Injured by Police Gun

On May 14, 2024, 34-year-old Bhagirath Harijan was injured when police fired shots in Kadupada, Ratuwamai Municipality-6, Morang District. Inspector Deepak Kharel of the Area Police Office, Sijuwa, stated that the injured was treated the same day at Arniko Hospital, Urlabari. Inspector Kharel mentioned that the police fired after Harijan was involved in drug trafficking and attacked the police. As of June 30, 2024, the incident was still under investigation.

Beatings

On April 6, 2024, Kaushal Chaudhary, a police officer from the Bindabasini Police Post, assaulted and injured 28-year-old Ranjan Sah Teli, an e-rickshaw driver from Ramnagari, Bahudarmai Municipality-8, Parsa District. The victim reported that the police officer stopped his e-rickshaw, with the registration number Madhesh Province 03-002 Kha 1822, near the Tilave Bridge in Birgunj Metropolitan City-19 on the morning of April 6, 2024, and then assaulted him.

The victim recounted, “While I was driving from Pokhariya towards Birgunj, Officer Chaudhary, who was on duty near the Tilave Bridge, blew his whistle to stop the e-rickshaw. When I turned around after hearing the whistle, I saw that the officer was looking in another direction, so I continued driving.” However, the accused officer, after boarding a bus, stopped the e-rickshaw near the oil tank on the other side of the Tilave Bridge, and used abusive language along with assaulting the victim, saying, “Why didn’t you stop the e-rickshaw?”

The victim filed a complaint against the accused officer at the District Police Office on April 6, 2024. Inspector Mohan Bikram K.C. of the Area Police Office, Pokhariya, stated that a clarification would be sought from the accused officer and that legal action would be taken against him as per the law. The victim received treatment at a local health post on April 6, 2024. Inspector K.C. further informed that departmental action had been taken against the accused police officer.

Child Rights

In incidents of child rights violations and abuses by non-state actors, 391 children were recorded as victims. Among them, 4 were victims of child marriage, 4 of corporal punishment in schools, 255 of rape, 80 of sexual abuse, 10 of trafficking and transportation, 2 of abduction, 2 of torture, and 2 of killings.

Women’s Rights

In the three-month period, 1,998 women were recorded as victims of abuse. During this time, 15 women were killed by family members.

Additionally, 1,079 women were victims of domestic violence. The records show that 115 women were victims of rape, 16 of attempted rape, and 12 of sexual abuse. Furthermore, 3 women were victims of trafficking, 8 were accused of witchcraft, and 49 were victims of polygamy.

Conclusion

During the monitoring conducted by INSEC representatives at the Women and Children Service Centers in the police offices of 77 districts, it was found that most cases were resolved through reconciliation. The police offices indicated that reconciliation was prioritized in cases of domestic violence according to the provisions related to mediation in the Domestic Violence Control and Punishment Act.

Despite the clear understanding that weak enforcement of laws hinders efforts to prevent violence against women, the government’s approach towards effective implementation of the laws has not been comprehensive. The increase in incidents of violence against women is largely due to the lack of proper addressing of social malpractices and superstitions. The practice of resolving domestic violence cases through reconciliation has developed, relying on the mediation provisions of the Domestic Violence Control and Punishment Act in police offices across the country.

Lastly, during this period, incidents of fires and floods/landslides increased in most districts. The fires caused significant damage to life and property. However, it was observed that not much work has been done on the rehabilitation of victims of fires and floods/landslides. Continuous rainfall leading to floods and landslides has caused damage to schools, health institutions, settlements, roads, and bridges. The government should focus on minimizing such damages.