NHRC lists Agni Sapkota, Suryaman Dong as human rights violators

Kavre, May 30

National Human Rights Commission is said to be preparing to publish a list of human rights violators by including the names of Communist Party of Nepal central member Agni Sapkota and its leader Suryaman Dong.

The commission has said the list is intended to stop the trend of people involved in gross human rights violations enjoying state facilities and to put an end to impunity.

Sapkota of Sindhupalchowk and Dong of Kavre, both former Maoist leaders, have been identified as rights violators by the National Human Rights Commission for their involvement in the murder of Arjun Lama, 48, of Chhatrebanjha, Kavre,  more than a decade ago.

Lama’s kin, on June 28, 2007, had filed an FIR against Sapkota and Dong with the District Police Office following the order of the Supreme Court. The duo is, however, yet to be arrested as police have identified them as fugitives till date.

As for Lama’s death and accusation against its leaders for his murder, the Maoist party has maintained that Lama was killed in a battle in Ghartichhap 12 years ago.

United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner’s Office Nepal, National Human Rights Commission and INSEC, however, citing investigation, have pointed the likelihood that the unclaimed dead body buried in Charkilla area of Budhakhani last year could have been of Lama, and written to the government agencies to provide security to the buried body.

According to NHRC Secretary Bed Prasad Bhattarai, the final name list of rights violators comprising the names of then government head, home minister, top officials of security agencies and the head of the rebels has been prepared.

“Those who have defied our recommendations and suggestions will figure in the list,” he said, adding that the list will be made public in a few weeks following discussions at regular meetings of the commission. The list includes the names of Pushpa Kamal Dahal, then king Gyanendra Shah and then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, among others.

Once the list is made public, those whose names are mentioned, will be barred from visiting foreign countries and participating in any training on foreign soil, while their appointments and promotion will be stalled for three years.

Similarly, as for the personnel of Nepal Police, Nepali Army and Armed Police Force, they shall be barred from participating in any United Nations mission abroad and denied other facilities such as passport.

According to him, the list will include 200 names of human rights violators.

The list is being prepared on the basis of the report provided by the OHCR. The commission, long ago, had recommended that cases be filed against as many as 817 persons for their involvement in human rights violation cases.