Kathmandu, January 20

Member of the National Human Rights Commission Sudip Pathak and other office-bearers of the human rights watchdog yesterday held a meeting with Inspector General of Police Upendra Kant Aryal and other senior police officials to discuss challenges and problems facing the law enforcement agency in managing custody of crime suspects.

The meeting also dwelt on ways to improve conditions in lockups to guarantee human rights of detainees in the course of crime investigation and prosecution.

During the meeting, Pathak said the initiatives taken by Nepal Police to protect human rights of detainees was praiseworthy in recent times and that the incidents of torture in custody were decreasing.

“Despite the tangible progress being made by Nepal Police, it still has a long way to go in protecting human rights of detainees.

We want the law enforcement agency to gradually increase the capacity of custody cells, provide detainees an opportunity to undergo health check-up on a regular basis, conduct programmes on psycho-social counseling, provide training on human rights to police personnel and focus on evidence-based investigation,” said Pathak.

Citing various reports, which praise the recent rights-friendly initiatives of Nepal Police, IGP Aryal expressed commitment to put into action the suggestions offered by the NHRC to further improve their rights record.

“Nepal Police has maintained zero tolerance against human rights violation. We will develop rights-friendly custody rooms in new police offices across the country,” he informed.

On the occasion, both sides pledged to cooperate with each other to improve the conditions in lockups.

DIGP Nawa Raj Silwal made a presentation on the problems and challenges facing Nepal Police in custody management and the way forward for reforms.