AI concerned about increasing violence

Kathmandu, December 5

Amnesty International Nepal today said it was deeply concerned about increasing violence across the country.

“The authorities must protect the well-being and safety of all people, including voters and candidates, ahead of the second phase of parliamentary and provincial elections,” AI Nepal said in a press release highlighting the attacks targeting political leaders and campaigners with.

Election campaigners from various political parties have faced incidents of violence in different parts of the country, including the use of improvised explosive devices, raising fears for safety and well-being of voters.

“Nepal’s authorities must protect people’s rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and ensure their safety and security. There should be an independent and effective investigation into incidents of violence, and suspected perpetrators should be held accountable through fair trials,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, director of AI Nepal.

“The security forces must abide by international standards when carrying out their duties. Violence must not be an excuse to trample on people’s rights through arbitrary arrests or detentions, or the use of unnecessary or excessive force. Law enforcement personnel may only resort to the use of firearms in self-defence or defence of others against an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and must not use them to manage or disrupt public assemblies,” it added.