Govt. and Maoist failed to keep commitments on human rights :Sundh

Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal Lena Sundh has said that lack of accountability persisted in Nepal Army (NA) and CPN-Maoist on the issue of human rights despite their commitment.

Speaking at a press conference organized on Thursday to release report on the human rights situation and the activities of the office submitted to Human Rights Council, Sundh said the implementation of the commitments to respect human rights made by the government and the Maoists in previous agreements was poor.

Stating that lack of accountability for past serious human rights violation, including killings and disappearances by the Nepal Army was OHCHR's major concern, Representative said her office was always critical to the lack of transparency and impartiality of military probes and the continued impunity enjoyed by most perpetrators, with risk of threats to those who try to purse justice.

In her critical tongue to the Maoist leadership, Sundh said that perfunctory internal punishment like corrective punishment was inadequate in Maoist. "Not only must the Maoist leadership take action to end impunity, it is essential that state authorities investigate and if necessary, prosecute cases of human rights violations by the CPN-M as well as security forces" she added.

Presenting the reference of Maina Sunuwar's killings in custody in 2004, she complained- "In fact, army has failed to provide us copies of any court of inquiry reports or court martial judgments relating to human rights violations involving the NA, contrary to our agreement with the government."

Briefing the use of force during Terai unrest she recently found in her visit, Sundh asked for prompt and credible investigations into all confirmed 24 killings, prosecute and ensure accountability of security forces.