An international pariah

The human rights catastrophe in Nepal has been a decade in the making. Thousands of people have been killed. Hundreds of thousands have been uprooted. Women have been attacked and raped. Farmers walking home from their fields face bombs and ambushes. Children are abducted and forced to join the fighting. A population already living in dire poverty has been further impoverished by conflict, insecurity and bandhs. Critics of the regime have been locked up or killed or 'disappeared'. Over 1000 activists, lawyers, journalists and politicians were arrested for taking part in peaceful protests in January and February alone. Despite these draconian measures, the vitality and dynamism of Nepal's civil society and media have not been blunted.

A year ago, shortly after King Gyanendra imposed a state of emergency and cracked down on political activists, I visited Nepal to assess the situation in the country. I met with the king, who assured me that he would uphold human rights and address impunity. He has patently failed to do either.

At the end of the visit, Amnesty International called on all governments to stop arms sales to Nepal, and for the UN to deploy human rights observers urgently. India, the United Kingdom and the United States suspended military aid to the Nepal army. In my recent meetings with senior Indian government officials, they reiterated their intention to continue the ban. However, the impact of the suspension has been marred by the fact that the Nepal government has been able to purchase weapons from China and elsewhere.

The UN Commission for Human Rights adopted a tough resolution on Nepal in April 2005, which was followed by the deployment of UN human rights monitors in Nepal. The first report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that, despite these measures, the situation continues to deteriorate.

King Gyanendra's government seems impervious to the suffering of the people, and defiant in the face of international disapproval. The failed elections, the ending of the unilateral ceasefire by the Maoists, and the recent escalation of violence bode ill for the future.

Ratchet up pressure
The time has come for the international community to ratchet up the pressure so that the government in Kathmandu is forced to open political dialogue, and end human rights violations. Three key measures are now urgent.

First, the United Nations must take a tough stand against the deployment of the RNA to UN peacekeeping operations abroad. The RNA has committed flagrant violations of human rights – killing civilians, torturing detainees and 'disappearing' people. The UN cannot, on the one hand, deploy human rights observers to monitor the violations by Nepali troops and, on the other hand, allow the same soldiers who have been perpetrators in their own country to become protectors and peacekeepers in other parts of the world. The UN Peacekeeping Department must screen Nepali troops and refuse to deploy those who are alleged to have been implicated in human rights violations. Such action will hurt the army, as participation in UN peace operations is considered to be prestigious and financially rewarding.

Secondly, the time has come for the UN to consider targeted sanctions against the government of Nepal. The sanctions must be 'smart' enough to target those who are in power and responsible for the human rights violations, but leave untouched humanitarian aid and economic activities of the population at large that is already suffering from the harsh consequences of conflict and insecurity. Measures such as travel restrictions on government officials and the seizure of assets overseas would help bring home the message that the regime is an international pariah, and will not be allowed to continue its business as usual.

Thirdly, there is widespread feeling that the presence of the UN human rights monitors has been beneficial. The mandate of the monitoring mission must be extended and its capacity expanded. The monitors should establish their presence outside Kathmandu, in the provinces where the population is most vulnerable. The international community should make sure that they have the necessary support and resources to do so, and that the government and Maoists give them full, free and safe access. It is in the interests of all parties to the conflict that international monitoring takes place to build confidence and curb the worst abuses.

The Maoists too have been responsible for widespread human rights abuses, including civilian killings, abductions, and recruitment of child soldiers. With the end of the ceasefire, there are dangers of an escalation of abuses. If the Maoists want to be taken as a serious player in the political process, they must make a clear, public commitment to respect human rights and humanitarian obligations. All those who have influence on the Maoists – including Nepalis, and other opinion-formers and politicians who may be seeking to negotiate with them – must send them this message.

The real solution to the human rights crisis in Nepal lies in the ending of conflict and the opening of political dialogue. However, without a real commitment on all sides to respect human rights, the space for political dialogue will be limited. Concerted and intensified international pressure can help build that commitment to human rights.

~ Irene Khan is the secretary general of Amnesty International, based in London.