Rights group raises concerns over alleged use of force and shrinking civic space following detention of three activists.
KATHMANDU, JULY 14
Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Gen-Z activist Majid Ansari, expressing concern over what it described as his arbitrary detention after he visited a temporary holding centre for victims of forced evictions in Kirtipur.
In a statement issued on Monday, the rights organisation said Ansari, along with activists Sarishma Thapa and Nelson Ghatani, was detained on Saturday after the trio visited the holding centre to express solidarity with families displaced by forced evictions. The shelter had been affected by heavy flooding on Friday night.
According to Amnesty International, Thapa and Ghatani were released later the same night, while Ansari remains in custody.
The organisation alleged that videos circulating on social media showed police using verbal abuse and physical force during the arrest, leaving Ansari with visible bruises.
Amnesty International Nepal Director Nirajan Thapaliya said the detention raised serious concerns over the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, liberty and personal security.
"The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Majid Ansari, ensure his access to appropriate medical care, and protect him from intimidation, harassment or further abuse," Thapaliya said in the statement.
The organisation also urged the government to safeguard citizens' constitutional right to peaceful protest and refrain from using law enforcement to suppress dissent.
The arrests came after flooding damaged the Radhaswami Satsang Centre in Kirtipur, a government-designated holding facility for families displaced by forced evictions. Amnesty said the incident highlighted concerns over the safety of temporary shelters established for evicted households.
Earlier in April, the government had said riverside settlements were being cleared and residents relocated to safer locations as part of its eviction drive.