Nepal Human Rights

Human Rights Concerns

Elections for Nepal's Constituent Assembly were held in 2008, and a new government was formed. However recent political instability has hampered full implementation of the 2006 Peace Agreement. Hopes remain high that an engaged civil society and the democratically elected government can build a lasting peace and protection for human rights.

Over 13,000 people were killed in Nepal’s 10-year-old civil war which ended in 2006. Thousands more suffered grave human rights abuses committed by both government security forces and Maoist cadres. These abuses included widespread arrests without charge or trial, extrajudicial killings, abductions, disappearances, and widespread torture.

Amnesty International is concerned that an independent high-level commission has still not been empowered to investigate the human rights abuses that occurred during the war. Investigations into the whereabouts of about 1000 people who remain “disappeared” have made no progress and families still do not know the fates of their loved ones. There have been no prosecutions for other grave crimes such as extrajudicial killings, torture, or abductions.

Insecurity and violence continues, especially in the Terai, with armed groups operating largely with impunity. Torture is used by the security forces, and excessive force has been used to break up pro-Tibet rallies. In addition, AI remains concerned about persistent abuses of economic, social, and cultural rights of women, dalits, and ethnic minorities. Severe poverty, food insecurity, and lack of medical services are ongoing issues.

What else you can do:

AIUSA members can continue receiving actions on Nepal and other South Asian nations by signing up with the South Asia Regional Action Network. Please send an email with SARAN Sign-up in the subject line to cgintern@aiusa.org

Take Action!
In Nepal, tens of thousands of women suffer some form of domestic violence every year. Women human rights defenders who work on behalf of women's rights often are targetted because of their work and some have been killed. Please join with AI to call on the government of Nepal to take action to stop violence against women, and to protect women human rights defenders from violence and harrassment.

» Sample Letter on Women's Rights to the Prime Minister of Nepal

Disappearance cases still unresolved in Nepal. Student Sanjiv Kumar Karna was picnicking with a group of friends on October 8, 2003 in Janakpur, when he and ten others were reportedly severely beaten and arrested. Sanjiv Karna and four of his friends have not been heard from since. Please ask the government of Nepal to determine the whereabouts of these students.
Sample Letter »

Please take action to protect human rights in Nepal

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