October 4, 2012
Press Statement
A New Step towards Encouraging Impunity
Our serious attention has been drawn by the decision of the Council of Ministers on October 4 to promote Colonel Raju Basnet, accused of being involved in serious human rights violation, to the post of Brigadier General.
It is well known that the human rights community of Nepal has been repeatedly demanding for the action against anyone involved in grave violation of human rights. National Human Rights Commission had recommended the government to take action against Basnet holding him responsible for serious human rights violation. Basnet is mentioned as accused of being involved in the enforced disappearance of 49 persons held at Bhairavnath Battalion in 2003 in the OHCHR-Nepal report.
The country will arrive in a state of lawlessness if the coalition government, with UCPN-M in the lead and joined by Madhesi parties, keeps on institutionalizing impunity in such a way. There is no doubt that Basnet’s promotion is a step closer to that situation. The government decision is against the spirit of the CPA and national and international laws and is condemnable.
We urge the Government of Nepal not to proceed for the promotion process of the personnel, alleged of being involved in human rights violation, until such issues are decided by capable and impartial legal mechanism.
Subodh Raj Pyakurel
Chairperson