Kathmandu, July 20

Amnesty International Nepal today expressed its ‘deepest’ concern about the use of force by the police at Karnali Academy of Health and Sciences in Jumla yesterday in the government’s bid to forcefully transfer Dr Govinda KC to Kathmandu.

Dr KC was on a hunger-strike at the KAHS since June 30, demanding key reforms in Nepal’s health sector including withdrawal of the Medical Education Bill from the Parliament. “It is deeply saddening to see the baton-wielding police forcefully enter the hospital premises and manhandle medical professionals and general public, and use unwarranted force including tear gas, and allegedly a ‘live ammunition’ seriously injuring a police constable, 20 medical doctors and others,” a press release issued by AI Nepal said.

Under international human rights law, Nepal is obligated to protect the right to life, liberty and security of every person. It is also an obligation of the government to ensure and respect the right to freedom of expression and opinion of every individual.

AI Nepal urged the government to sufficiently ensure that the law-enforcement officials adhere to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, which requires at a minimum to ensure the necessity, proportionality, legality and accountability of any amount of force used in all circumstances.

“We also urge the Government of Nepal to resolve any outstanding issues with the opposition party and/or dissenting groups including Dr KC through a process of meaningful dialogue,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, director of Amnesty International Nepal.