Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 28:

Human rights abuses, including torture, extra-judicial killings and disappearances often result in “severe trauma” among the victims and their families. A large number of Nepalis are suffering from trauma which “outlives” any form of rights violations, said the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). “The protection of human rights of these individuals is impossible without serious attempts to address their psychological needs,” said an AHRC statement issued today. Urging the UN’s monitoring mission in Nepal to give priority to this issue with utmost urgency, it said that the entire responsibility of providing psychological support to the victims of abuse falls on the UN mission. Otherwise, a large number of Nepalis will not take the UN mission seriously, added the statement. It claimed past UN rights monitoring missions have failed in providing trauma treatment to the victims. “However, there must be a proportionate focus on the victims of rights abuses, particularly those suffering from trauma.”