Nepal: Investigate the Police Attacks on Human Rights Defenders

More innocent victims do not strengthen the bond in communities.

Nepal (Image: Google maps)

(LONDON) - Nepal: Investigate the police attacks on human rights defenders Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK August 7, 2015 at 12:53pm

Sushil Koirala
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Nepal
Singha Darbar
Kathmandu, Nepal

Your Excellency,

I am William Nicholas Gomes, Human rights defender and Freelance journalist.

I would like to draw your attention to the following case.

On 3 August 2015, three human rights defenders were severely injured during a violent crackdown by the police on participants of a peaceful protest. They are Ms Kamala Hemchuri, Ms Durga Sob and Mr Ganesh BK.

The protest called on the authorities to respect the political rights of the Dalit community and to include them in the drafting process of the country’s new constitution.

Kamala Hemchuri and Ganesh BK are Dalit rights defenders and long-standing members of the Dalit Civil Society.

Kamala Hemchuri is president of the Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC). Established in 2005, PDRC provides better education opportunities for young members of the Dalit community.

Ganesh BK is chairperson of the Rastriya Dalit Network, which includes the Dalit Women’s Council, Dalit Students’ Council, Haliya Rights Forum, Dalit Representative Forum, and Untouchability Assessment Centre. The Network offers training and orientation workshops to Dalit rights defenders who work for these organisations.

Durga Sob is the Chairperson of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO). Founded in 1994, FEDO aims to support and empower Dalit women.

On 3 August 2015, Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK were severely injured during the violent crackdown on protesters. The protest took place in Bijuli Bazar area of Kathmandu, where approximately 100 Dalit rights defenders gathered to protest against the preliminary draft of the country’s new constitution.

This draft restricts the political rights of members of the Dalit community.

During the protest, approximately 150 police officers attacked the crowd. Those injured mostly received head injuries and were transported to the Civil Service Hospital in Kathmandu.

Ganesh BK sustained a two inch long wound and was transferred to Kathmandu Model Hospital for further treatment. Kamala Hemchuri was beaten for over a minute and received a severe leg wound. She continues to receive treatment in hospital. Durga Sob also sustained injuries.

The government is planning to introduce a new constitution by the second week of August. Dalit rights defenders, who are united under the Joint Dalit Political Struggle Committee, held a series of protests demanding proportionate representation in the central and provincial governments and legislature organs, as the preliminary draft of the new constitution restricted their representation.

I express my grave concern over the crackdown against the peaceful protest, resulting in the injury of a number of protesters, including human rights defenders Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK.

I urge the authorities in Nepal to:

1. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of human rights defenders Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK;
2. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into police violence against the protest and the attacks on Kamala Hemchuri, Durga Sob and Ganesh BK, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Nepal are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

Sincerely,

William Nicholas Gomes
Human Rights Defender & Freelance Journalist
Twitter @wnicholasgomes
Email: william@williamnicholasgomes.com
www.facebook.com/williamnicholasgomes