Advocacy Forum-Nepal (AF) expresses its serious concern on the use of electric tasers on peaceful protesters, protesting against the annexation of Lipulekh, a territory of Nepal by India, in Kathmandu Nepal. In light of series of human rights violations committed by Nepal Police during the lockdown, the most recent act of using electric shocks to take people in control and disperse the mob is a serious breach of human rights and a condemnable act. AF strongly condemns the use of electric tasers on the peaceful protesters in Jadibuti and Maitighar, Kathmandu Nepal.

As reported to AF by the victims and also reported in media, those protesters were given electric shocks with electric tasers while the police took them under control and even in Police van while they chanted slogans.

Nepal being a state party to the Convention against Torture (CAT), under an international legal obligation has to refrain from using any form of torture and ill-treatment. Additionally, Article 22 of the Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed Right against Torture as a fundamental right and the Muluki Penal Code Section 165 has criminalized the act of torture. Thus, Nepal has two legally enforceable responsibilities (i) duty to refrain from using torture, and (ii) duty to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible involved in such crime.

Concerned that Nepal Police is backtracking from its lip service to human rights commitment and years of efforts of Human Rights Defenders to make Nepal Police human rights friendly and accountable to rule of law, we urge the Government and the Nepal Police to:

- Adhere to its legal obligations to respect, protect and promote human rights during all situations,

- Ensure that it remains fully committed, in practice, to its human rights commitments,

- Refrain, in all forms, from the use of any means of torture against the protesters/detainee while taking him/her into control and/or while in control,

- Launch prompt, credible, impartial and independent investigation on the incident,

- Ensure that the result(s) of the investigation is respected with the prosecution of those responsible and compensation for the victims as per the law,

- Express its commitment not to repeat the mistake and never use electric tasers to disrupt peaceful assembly and refrain from exercising excessive use of force.

Om Prakash Sen Thakuri
Director

Advocacy Forum - Nepal

Contact : Bikash Basnet -9851169822