Kathmandu, May 28:

The Amnesty International has blamed the Maoist youth wing Young Communist League for the worsening human rights situation in Nepal.

In its Human Rights Status Report: 2008 the AI has said that the Maoists, YCL activists and other armed groups were involved in abduction and killing and violating human rights.

The 400-page report documents human rights issues in 150 countries around the world between January and December 2007 and reveals a world ridden by inequality, scarred by discrimination and distorted by political repression.

The report also stated that the factions of the Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha is also responsible for the alleged killings, torturing and bombing incidents. Even after the establishment of UNMIN and the democratic rule, much needs to be done, it said.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the government and the Maoists is not fully followed by the parties. The police and the prosecutors continued to fail in the duty to investigate and prosecute cases of human rights abuse, the report said.

The AI has expressed concern about the non-implementation of the Rayamajhi commission report, which had investigated and suggested actions against 201 persons who violated the human rights during the Jana Andolan II.

The human rights watchdog has expressed its dissatisfaction over delay in formation of a commission on forced disappearance despite directives by the Supreme Court. “Majority of torture victims received no compensation. National laws to regulate torture fell short of national standards and were inadequately implemented,” stated the report, adding that security forces killed at least 29 civilians in 2007.

Rights defenders across the country were reportedly threatened and attacked by security forces and Maoists. At least 17 human rights defenders were threatened with death, rape, kidnapping and assault while defending human rights, the report states, adding that as many as 619 journalists faced intimidation by the Maoists and other groups, while at least two journalists were killed in 2007.

Thousands of people reportedly remain displaced due to the conflict, the report said, while expressing its concern about the condition of the returnees.