19 February 2016, Manila, Philippines — The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) strongly condemns the recent arrest of 12 Human Rights Defenders and conflict victims, which occurred this morning at around 8.30AM in Baluwatar, Kathmandu and asks for their immediate release. On the occasion of the 66th National Democracy Day of Nepal, the Prime Minister of Nepal was expected to deliver a speech during the ceremony at the Nepalese Army Pavilion in Kathmandu where also the President and other high level officers of Nepal were attending the event.
While peacefully sitting in sign of protest in Tundikhel, Ratna Park, opposite the venue where the ceremony was taking place, the police arrived and arrested – between others - members of Advocacy Forum Nepal (AF) and Conflict Victims’ Society for Justice (CVSJ), two human rights organizations working in Nepal on issues of justice for conflict victims. All those arrested were taken to the Metropoliltan Police Circler (MPC) Anamnagar, Singha Durbar.
In a country where victims’ demands have always been overlooked by the government, these 12 individuals were sitting and peacefully demanding for justice for Ganga Maya Adhikari, asking for the implementation of the Supreme Court's order on the Balkrishna Dhungel Case and generally calling for justice in Nepal.
AFAD condemns this interference with the freedom of speech and of peaceful assembly carried out by the Nepali police and strongly calls on the Nepali authorities to ensure the safety and security of those arrested. AFAD further demands the immediately release of:
- Charan Prasai (Male)
- Ashok Shrestha (Male)
- Ram Bhandari, (Male)
- Rasna Dhakal, (Female)
- Bikash Basnet (Male)
- Kanak Mani Dixit (Male)
- Ishwor Acharya (Male)
- Janak Raut (Male)
- Sabitri Shrestha (Female)
- Bikram Chaudhary (Male)
- Bikram Dhukuchu (Male)
- Surya Adhikari (Male)
Signed by:
KHURRAM PARVEZ
Chairperson
MARY AILEEN D. BACALSO
Secretary-General