Human rights group slam planned promotion of Nepali colonel

by admin
Jul 21, 2012
Human rights groups have urged Nepal to bar the promotion of a senior army officer implicated in torture and disappearances during the country’s civil war.

Local media had reported that Colonel Raju Basnet had been recommended for promotion to Brigadier General.

In a joint statement, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International said,
"The Nepal Army should adopt a policy of not promoting anyone accused of human rights abuses until the allegations are investigated in an independent and transparent manner."
Brad Adams of HRW said,
"The allegations against Colonel Basnet, his superiors, and those under his command in 2003 are very serious and backed by substantial and consistent evidence reported by the UN and Nepal's own national human rights commission,"
"Not only has the Nepali army refused to prosecute or dismiss officers responsible for atrocities during the civil war, it is now adding insult to injury by promoting a notorious officer to the rank of general."
Nepals 10 year conflict between the state and Maoist rebels has claimed at least 16000 lives with allegations of killngs and torture on both sides.

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