Thursday, January 19, 2006

India, EU, US, Japan, UN Should Be Thinking Economic Sactions


Enough is enough.

Human Rights Watch: Asia : Nepal

Arrest 19 January 2006 (2)
Report to OHCHR

Index First name Last name Age Sex Profession Targeted Group Date of Arrest Time of Arrest Place of Arrest By Place of detention

  1. Ram Chandra Poudel 62 M General Secretary Nepali Congress 19/01/2006 6.15-6.40 am Home Police NPA
  2. Pradeep Nepal M CPN-UML 7.00 Dallu APF Transfer to B
  3. Gopalman Shrestha M Acting president Nepali Congress 8.00 Baful APF Transfer to B
  4. Subhas Nemwang M CPN-UML 5.45 Gatekulo APF Transfer to B
  5. Shekhar Koirala M NC 19/01/2006 7 am Home police
  6. Sujata Koirala F NC 19/01/2006 7 am Home Police Gan 2 Maharagunj APF
  7. Ishwor Pokharel M CPN-UML Dumbalai APF Transfer to B
  8. Yuva Raj Karki M CPN-UML 6.40 Amnanagar APF Transfer to B
  9. Trilochan Dhakal CPN-UML
  10. Mahendra Pandey M CPN-UML 6.00 Koteshowr APF Transfer to B
  11. Pari Thapa 42 M United Front (UF) 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  12. Gagan Thapa NSU
  13. Mahesh Shrestha 40 M Bhaktapur District Committee President NC 19/01/2006 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  14. Krishna Lal Shrestha 52 M Janaa Morcha Nepal 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  15. Raghuji Panta M CPN-UML Bijechori APF Transfer to B
  16. Shashanka Koirala 49 M NC 19/01/2006 7 am Home Police NPA
  17. Keshav Badal M CPN-UML 5.45 Babahill APF Transfer to B
  18. Krishna Pahadi 42 M HR activist 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  19. Shyam Shrestha 53 M Editor of Mulyankan HR activist 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  20. Devendra Raj Pandey HR activist
  21. Mukunda Neupane M CPN-UML 5.45 Kalanki APF Transfer to B
  22. Bhim Rawal M CPN-UML 6.30 Katekulo APF Transfer to B
  23. Pradip Gyawali M CPN-UML 5.30 Bhaktapur Transfer To Bhaktpur
  24. Gokarna Bista M CPN-UML 6.15 APF Transfer to B
  25. Krishna Gopal Shrestha M CPN-UML 5.45 Balku APF Transfer to B
  26. Lila Mani Pokharel UF/UML
  27. Krishna Lal Maharjan M CPN-UML 6.15 Bal kumari APF Transfer to B
  28. Madhav Poudel CPN-UML
  29. Mitha Ram Sharma M CPN-UML 6.00 Lalitpur APF Transfer to B
  30. Ram Kumari Jhankri F ANNSFU 6.05 Budamagar APF Transfer to B
  31. Radheshwi Shiam NC
  32. Om Raj Rajbhak CPN-UML
  33. Sudharshan Acharya NC
  34. Lekhanaph Neupane 72 M NC Home Police Gan 2
  35. Rajendra Kumar Rajtala M United Front Dadikot Bhaktapur APF Transfer to B
  36. Bimal Pun Magar 35 M Pres. Student leader/president sano thimi campus ANNFSU 6.30-6.45 Home-Bhaktapur Police Gan 2
  37. Govinda Gautam 27 M President Saraswati Campus 6.15-6.40 am House Police NPA
  38. Rajendra Khanal M CPN-UML Nuwakot 5.15 Balaju APF Transfer to B
  39. Rajendra Shrestra M CPN-UML 6.30 Dobi APF Transfer to B
  40. Yogendra Sangroula M Unknown 5.45 Dhumbarai APF Transfer to B
  41. Bidur Mainali M CPN-UML New Baneshor APF Transfer to B
  42. Bimlendra Niddhi M NC-D 9.36 Bimsingola APF Transfer to B
  43. Ram Sharan Mahat NC-D
  44. Binod Shrestha M NCD 6.00 Putali chadak APF Transfer to B
  45. Omkar Shrestha 65 M NC 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  46. Jagat Raj Shakya 65 M NC 5.30 Home Police Gan 2
  47. Chandra Maharjan 52 M NC 19/01/2006 Home Police Gan 2
  48. Prem Krishna Maharjan 40 M NC 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  49. Godul Khadka 51 M NC 5.30 Home Police Gan 2
  50. Chakra Banstola 60 M NC 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  51. Khum Bdr Khadka 54 M NC 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  52. Baldev Sharma Majhgaina M NC central committee member People Front/NC 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  53. Govind Maharjan UF
  54. Dipendra Shrestha 41 M UF/JanaaMorcha Nepal 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  55. Rom Lal Maharjan 43 M People Front 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  56. Dip Ram Maharjan 47 UF/ Janaamorcha Nepal 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  57. Hari Maharjan 38 M UF/JanaaMorchan Nepal 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  58. Tulsi Maharjan 40 M People Front 6.00 am Home Police Gan 2
  59. Prakash Sharan Mahat M NC-D 6.30 Basbari APF Transfer to B
  60. Vidya Bhandari F CPN-UML Chaba hill APF Transfer to B
  61. Radheshayam Jhonchhe NC
  62. Prem Suwal 45 M Nepal Peasants Party) 19/01/2006 6.30 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  63. Asta Laxmi Shakya UML
  64. Yuvaraj Gyawali UML
  65. Siddhilal Sing M UML 5.45 Chankamul APF Transfer to B
  66. Om Thapaliya M UML 5.45 Kalenki APF Transfer to B
  67. Yuvaraj Singh M NC
  68. Mathura Shrestha 72 M HR activist 6.45 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  69. Tirtharam Dongol M Ktm DC President NC 18/01/2006
  70. Narayan Acharya M 19/01/2006
  71. Laxman Prasad Ghimire 60 M NC 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  72. Girija Prasad Koirala M President NC 19/01/2006 House residence
  73. Madhav Kumar Nepal M General Secretary CPN-UML 18/01/2006 House residence
  74. Pradip Giri M NC-D %.45 Baneshor APF Transfer to B
  75. Bibindra Shrestha M UF
  76. Astahlaxmi Shrestha M CPN-UML
  77. BabuRam Thapa M President Nepal Teacher association 10.30 Office APF Transfer to B
  78. Babu Ram Adhikari M Secretary Nepal Teachers Association
  79. Kiran Neupane 31 M Student NSU 5.00 am Home-Bhaktapur Police Gan 2
  80. Kundan Raj Kafle 24 M NSU 8.15 Meeting Police Gan 2
  81. Ganesh Bhatta 30 M Student NSU 5.30 Home Police Gan 2
  82. Tika Gurung 34 M Student leader NSU 5.00 Home-Kirtirpur Police Gan 2
  83. Bhim Sirish 30 M Vice-president NC NSU 7.00 am ? Police Gan 2
  84. Laxman Acharya 33 M Student NSU 6.15 Home Police Gan 2
  85. Navina Lama CPN-UML
  86. Vidya Sundar Shakya M CPN-UML
  87. Uma Kanta Chaudhari M NC-D 7.00 Kupondol APF Transfer to B
  88. Kaladhar Bhandari CPN-UML
  89. Dipak Shah CPN-UML
  90. Shyam Basnet 25 M District Pres ANNFSU 5.00 Home-Bhaktapur Police Gan 2
  91. Dwarika Basnet CPN-UML
  92. Suresh Karki CPN-UML
  93. Bijaya Rai CPN-UML
  94. Prakash Neupane 28 M CPN-UML Home Police Gan 2
  95. Damodar Ghimire 25 M CPN_UML Home Police Gan 2
  96. Surendra Basnet 25 M President ANNFSU-UML Home Police Gan 2
  97. Raj Kumar Rai 26 M ANNFSU/Free Student Union Home Police Gan 2
  98. R.L Timilsina CPN-UML
  99. Dipesh Gautam 22 M CPN-UML Home Police Gan 2
  100. Binaya Dhoj Chand 54 M Central Committee NC-D 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  101. Bijaya Kumar Rai 34 M President Student Union TU Kirtipur 7.00 ? Police Gan 2
  102. Sudharsan Temalsina 25 M Student Free Student Union 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  103. Hari Acharya 51 M Central CM People Front 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  104. Purushottam Pyakuril 24 M Pres Rural Campus Free Student Union 6.15-6.40 am Home Police-RNA NPA
  105. Dwarika Uperaty 28 M Publisher Roadmap Journalist 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  106. Santosh Bhatarai 39 M NC 6.30-6.45 am Home Police Gan 2
  107. Bhopendra Bdr Thapa 46 M NC 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  108. Shree Govinda Marharjung 51 M JanaaMorcha Nepal 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  109. Navin Tandukar 21 M UML 6.30-6.45 Home Police Gan 2
  110. Gopal KC 24 M Student UML ANNFSU Home Police Gan 2
  111. Ram Chandra Timilsina 26 M Student UML 6.45 Balbazard Police Gan 2
  112. Badri Bikram Thapa 22 M Student ANNFSU 5.00 Class Police Gan 2
  113. Prakash Rawal 25 M Student Free student Union ? ? Police Gan 2
  114. Baldev Timilsina 25 M NC NSU ? Meeting Police Gan 2
  115. Hari Ram Acharya 24 M Student NSU 5.30 Meeting Campus Police Gan 2
  116. Dek Raj Bhatarai 28 M Campus president NC ? ? ? Gan 2
  117. Suka Ram Basnet 24 M NC-D ? at the police when he went to complaint about the arrests Police Gan 2
  118. Budha Bir Lama 32 M Student NC NSU ? Campus Police Gan 2
  119. Ranjit Sapkota 21 M 11.00 am Campus Police Gan 2
  120. Umesh Kuakel M UML 6.45 Pashupati APF Transfer to B
  121. Ram Balami M UML 5.45 NewBaneshor APF Transfer to B
  122. Surendra Pandey M UML 5.45 Swahambu APF Transfer to B
  123. Durlev Thapa M NSU Katunge APF Transfer to B
  124. Krishna Bahadur Rai M UML Jolparti APF Transfer to B
  125. Keme Raj Bhatta Mahalu M NCD 6.00 Baneshor APF Transfer to B
(email from Dinesh Prasain) 1

To: The Nashville Conference
From: Paramendra Bhagat
c/o: Shyam Karki
On Behalf Of: Several Individuals In Kathmandu And New York City
Subject: Please Donate $1500 For Round 1 Pamphleteering All Over Nepal

What we are doing at this end in the US for the democracy movement in Nepal is about 27 million people. This is not about 10 or 20 or 50 or even 5,000 of us. This is not about the 100 or 1,000 members of the seven party alliance or the civil society in Kathmandu.

If we did not instinctly appreciate democracy, we would not be in the oldest democracy ourselves. We do not need to be convinced on the ideal of democracy. The freedom that we enjoy we want the people in Nepal to enjoy because we know the taste is sweet.

We have already contributed a whole lot. Leaders in Nepal routinely say if it were not for the diaspora, the repression would have been much harsher, hope so much dimmer. But I feel we have to change gears. Offering moral support and ideas is great, but not entirely enough. We have to extend logistical support. It already has been extended at small scales. But we need to do more.

At this point I would like to request the participants of the Nashville conference to please come up with a round one sum of $1500 for nationwide pamphleteering in Nepal. We are non-violent soldiers of democracy because non-violence is more effective and meaningful. We intend to drown out the two guns with our words. We intend to show the king the groundswell of people power is a tsunami that will sweep away him and others like him, no matter who their fathers were.

I write with much hope and with hope for continued support.

Thank you.

Podcast

January 17, 2006 (8 minutes) My message to the Nashville gathering through Shyam Karki. Please donate $1500 for the pamphleteering project. The idea is to reach all wadas in the country.

In The News

Govt. imposes daylong curfew in Kathmandu on Friday NepalNews .... In an apparent attempt to thwart a major demonstration of seven agitating political parties, the government on Thursday evening announced to impose daytime curfew from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. ..... Home Ministry imposed the curfew orders within the Ring Road in Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City and parts of Bhaktapur districts ..... Home Ministry notice came within hours after the arrest of dozens of political leaders and human rights activists.......
Their Majesties visit Khotang, Sankhuwasabha
It is a precautionary and preventive move: Home Minister Thapa ...... the government had resorted to arrest politicians and rights activists after it received information that the mass meeting and rally organized by the seven party opposition alliance on Friday was likely to turn unruly and violent....... the government had credible information of the Maoists “infiltrating” into the mass meeting being organized by the opposition alliance. Maoist chairman, Prachanda, however, made it clear in a statement that his party had no plans to “infiltrate” into the seven parties’ rally or meeting.......
Over 100 leaders, HR activists arrested: NHRC; condemnations pour in against govt clampdown ..... 59 are from the CPN (UML), 30 from Nepali Congress, nine from People’s Front Nepal (PFN), eight from the Nepali Congress (Democratic) and four leaders of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party leaders ...... Dr Mahura Shrestha, Krishna Pahari, Dr Devendra Raj Pandey, Nilambar Acharya and Shayam Shrestha...... kept at various police stations in the capital. Security officials had started rounding up the leaders from early morning...... Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala has been placed under house arrest at his Maharajgunj residence while CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is under tight security surveillance..... Palpa, five political workers were detained by the security forces...... India and the European Union (EU) have expressed “grave concern” over the Nepal’s government’s clampdown on the political parties...... a statement issued by the Finnish Embassy that chairs the 25-member EU said, “The EU Heads of Mission in Kathmandu are extremely concerned about the recent developments in Nepal, in particular about the arrests of democratic party leaders, members of civil society and human rights activists.”
Suspicion of Maoist violence can’t justify mass arrests: OHCHR .....in apparent violation of the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest..... Security forces personnel have also visited the homes of a number of prominent human rights defenders...... Fifteen other persons have reportedly been served with three month detention orders under the PSA, following their arrest during activities in Kathmandu on 17 January which were regarded as violating the ban..... OHCHR-Nepal would be provided with the full list of those arrested and their places of detention, and would have access to them as guaranteed by the Agreement between the Government and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as would their families....... three places of detention: Maharajgunj Police Training Academy, Maharajgunj Police Battalion Camp Number 2, and Guheswari Armed Police Force camp in Bhaktapur
Nepal govt's actions against political leaders regrettable: India The Indian government’s reaction comes hours after the government arrested dozens of senior opposition political leaders and their cadres.
EU “extremely concerned” about developments in Nepal In the first international reaction to the crackdown on opposition leaders and rights activists ...... “The EU is urgently considering implications of these developments” ...... the EU had not expected such an action from the side of the government...... the government should have reciprocated the Maoist ceasefire...... “EU will be closely observing future developments”
Japan “gravely concerned” at Nepal arrests After the European Union (EU) and India, Nepal’s largest bilateral donor, Japan has said it is gravely concerned over the arrest of persons concerned with political parties ..... has strongly urged that the (government) release political leaders and restore the freedom guaranteed by the constitution promptly.
Despite restrictions, top UML leader addresses journos Madhav Kumar Nepal, came out in the open Thursday afternoon to address a gathering of media personnel at Anam Nagar in the Nepalese capital...... Addressing a ‘Face to Face programme’ organized by the Kathmandu Branch of Press Chautari Nepal, a media group said to be close to his party, the UML leader said the seven party opposition alliance would stage demonstrations in Kathmandu Friday at any costs. He also called upon people to attend the protest rally and mass meeting....... He spent nearly an hour in the programme. He was, however, watched closely by security personnel in civil dress during the programme..... Nepal returned to his residence at Koteswore after the programme...... UML leader said dozens of his party comrades had been arrested by police and that his residence was ‘searched’ by the security personnel.
Nepal imposes curfew ahead of anti-king rally Reuters India, India
200 party leaders held in Nepal, internet, phone lines dead Hindu
Update 3: Nepal Detains Activists to Foil Rally
Forbes
Nepal's King Imposes New Crackdown New York Times In a familiar replay of the raids that accompanied last February's palace coup.... Police rounded up mostly party organizers involved in the preparations for a pro-democracy demonstration scheduled for Friday. ..... Many were rousted from their homes before daybreak, in violation of Nepali law. Some prominent party workers and human rights advocates have apparently gone into hiding....... The king lifted a state of emergency three months later, but kept in place many restrictions on press and political freedoms....... A coalition of seven political parties, once stridently antirebel and now increasingly vocal against the palace, had planned to hold their rally in Katmandu on Friday to call for a full restoration of political rights...... Today's raids are not likely to win King Gyanendra wide support from abroad. His takeover of Feb. 1, 2005, had already prompted the United States, once an important Gyanendra backer, to suspend military aid. India and Britain followed suit........ Today's raids coincided with the release of a report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch that took both sides to task for continued rights abuses. It blamed the Royal Nepal Army for "extrajudicial killings, illegal detentions, and disappearances," while accusing the Maoists of "extortion, murder, forced displacement of civilians, and abductions."...... The state-run news agency, meanwhile, announced that King Gyanendra had congratulated Omar Bongo, the president of oil-rich Gabon, "on his re-assumption of the high office."..... Mr. Bongo is Africa's longest-running ruler. He has been in power since 1967 and won a seven-year term to office last November.
Nepal to Impose Curfew to Prevent Pro-Democracy Rally
Voice of America
India condemns repression in Nepal
Times of India, India
Maoist rebels' leader urges Nepalese people to defy gov't ban+ TMCnet
Japan “gravely concerned” at Nepal arrests Nepali Times
Actions of Nepal govt against political leaders regrettable: India Nepali Times
India expresses regret over arrest of Nepal leaders and political ... NewKerala.com
Nepal Opposition leaders arrested at dawn
Times of India, India
End links with Nepal rebels: Royal govt Times of India Nepal king Gyanendra's government on Wednesday warned Opposition parties of strong action if they did not call off Friday's protest rally and break their connections with Maoist rebels. ..... "It can result in an unpleasant situation if they keep on supporting the terrorists knowingly or unknowingly," said home minister Kamal Thapa ...... Thapa blamed the parties for encouraging the rebels to enter Kathmandu valley with sophisticated arms. "They (the rebels) have intensified their violent activities with the help of the seven-party alliance," he claimed. ..... a media reports claimed that the royal family, forced to give up power after a mass movement for people's rights in 1990, has been pursuing a secret plan to snuff out the opposition and regain control. .... Jana Astha said a group of royalists had helped draw up the secret plan to set the parliamentary parties against one another and impose active rule by the king once again.
Nepal knocks out Indian telecom firm
Economic Times, India
Nepal king knocks out Indian telecom firm again Webindia123
King cuts off Kathmandu from rest of world Hindustan Times
Largest Number of enforced disappearance in Nepal Webindia123
Rights situation worsening in Nepal: HRW Nepali Times “While these abuses existed before the [royal] coup, the ability of human rights defenders and the media to document abuses is now more difficult.” ..... “Both sides continue to engage in serious violations of international humanitarian law.” ...... “Despite the king's promise to resolve the civil war, the conflict continued with the same brutal intensity until September 2005 when the Maoists declared a unilateral ceasefire." The government and the RNA have consistently restricted the work of the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission despite cosmetic steps designed to give a contrary impression, according to the report........ "The king's refusal to cede any authority to political parties has polarised the parties and reduced any chance of dialogue." ..... “Some cases of army abuse had been prosecuted, but torture and ill-treatment is systematically practiced in Nepal by the police, armed police and the RNA”

Visitors

19 January10:27Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
19 January11:07United Nations, New York, United States
19 January11:11France Telecom, France
19 January11:25U.N. Development Programme, New York, United States
19 January11:25United Nations, New York, United States

19 January11:42United Nations, New York, United States
19 January11:50United Nations, New York, United States
19 January12:05British Broadcasting Corp., United Kingdom
19 January12:21United Nations, New York, United States

19 January12:22United Nations, New York, United States
19 January12:32Blueyonder, United Kingdom
19 January12:45Hotwire, India
19 January13:13University of Minnesota, United States
19 January13:28PSINet, Hungary
19 January13:58University of Miami, Coral Gables, United States
19 January14:03Equant, France
19 January14:26Arizona State University, Tempe, United States
19 January14:57Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., India
19 January15:11The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
19 January15:17The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
19 January15:17United Nations, New York, United States
19 January15:20The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
19 January15:22U.N. Development Programme, New York, United States
19 January15:23United Nations, New York, United States
19 January15:47United Nations, New York, United States
19 January16:09United Nations, New York, United States
19 January16:30U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, United States
19 January16:31United Nations, New York, United States
19 January16:38Jyväskylän Yliopisto, Jyväskylä, Finland
19 January16:51The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
19 January16:57The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States
19 January17:03Interbusiness/Telecom Italia, Italy
19 January17:16The World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., United States

Verdict: Loss Of Crown, Property And Liberty For Gyanendra Shaha


The mass arrest of political leaders and human rights activists is despicable. The ban on the fundamental human right to peaceful assembly is despicable. The relentless assault on free speech is despicable.

Enough is enough.

It is time for the democratic forces to show non-violent, peaceful demonstrators for democracy and human rights are stronger than the mightiest army.

I urge the seven party alliance to unilaterally declare the 1999 House revived and unilaterally declare the formation of an all party government.

It is high time for the international community to take a stand. Enough is enough. It behooves India, China, Europe, America, the UN, and all other powers and countries on the planet to recognize that government.

Sack all ambassadors appointed by the king. This king does not speak for Nepal, he does not represent Nepal, he does not lead Nepal.

The revived House has to organize a non-violent French revolution. The House has to take command of the army. The House has to confiscate the king's crown, property and liberty. He has to be sent to jail.

Movement time is over. This is now revolution time.

The revived House will be no ordinary House. It will be a revolutionary House. It will have the authority to smash the old order by taking control of the state army and ending the monarchy.



18th January, 2006

New York

Press Release

FORMATION OF A HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION COORDINATION COMMITTEE


Deeply concerned about the gross violations of human rights in Nepal, Nepalese Democratic Youth Council in USA (NDYCUSA) and Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal (ADHRN) jointly took an initiation and formed a Human Rights Protection Coordination Committee with some of prominent US-based Nepali intellectuals, human rights activists and lawyers at a meeting in New York. The scope and functions of Human Rights Protection Coordination Committee (referred to as the “Committee” below) will be as follows:

Functions and Scope:

1. The Committee shall gather information, facts and evidence on, and conduct investigation into, the cases of gross violations of human rights perpetrated against Nepali citizens in Nepal by the Nepali politicians, administrators, army officers, police officers and armed police officers, as well as by the leaders and commanders of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), by themselves individually or by instructions to their subordinates;

2. The Committee, as and when it finds credible evidence of gross violation of human rights by the government officials and Maoist functionaries as mentioned above, shall help to carry out legal action against them by filing lawsuits in appropriate courts of law, such as US courts, International Criminal Court, or tribunals, which may have jurisdiction on such cases;

3. The Committee, in extraordinary circumstances, shall assist victims of gross violation of human rights or their family members to travel to another country for testifying in a court of law;

4. The Committee may maintain a list of the accused human rights violators of Nepal and furnish such list to, among others, human rights organizations, the media, human rights agencies of Nepal and appropriate agencies of other countries, as well as to the United Nations and other international organizations;

5. The Committee may coordinate its activities and work, as necessary, with individuals and human rights organizations from Nepal and from other countries in collecting relevant information, facts and evidence on the specific cases of grave abuse and violation of human rights in Nepal; and

6. The Committee shall take up the grave cases human rights violation in Nepal, with particular focus on those that have occurred on or after February 1, 2005.

Through this press release, the Committee urges the victims of human rights violation and their family members to provide concrete and specific information, facts and evidence on the cases of persecution, torture, rape, murder or otherwise serious harm committed by government or Maoist officials directly or indirectly. The Committee also requests civil society, in Nepal and other countries, including media persons, human rights activists, civil servants, military and police personnel, human rights organizations, and all other interested individuals who have witnessed and recorded gross violation of human rights or learned about it, to provide such information and evidence to the Committee to carry out its tasks.

Any person or organization willing to provide any facts, information and evidence of gross abuse and violation of human rights that has taken place consistent with point 6 above should do so by sending an e-mail to investigatehumanrightsabuseinNepal@hotmail.com. The identity of those who provide such information shall be kept in strict confidence and shall not be disclosed without their consent.

Anand Bist

President

Nepalese Democratic Youth Council, USA


Sanjaya Parajuli

President

Alliance for democracy and Human Rights in Nepal

List of politicians and others arrested on Thursday

S.N.

Name

Affiliated Party

1

Ram Chandra Poudel

Nepali Congress (NC)

2

Pradeep Nepal

CPN-UML

3

Gopalman Shrestha

Nepali Congress NC (D)

4

Subhas Nemwang

CPN-UML

5

Shekhar Koirala

NC

6

Shashanka Koirala

NC

7

Sujata Koirala

NC

8

Ishwor Pokharel

CPN-UML

9

Yuva Raj Karki

CPN-UML

10

Trilochan Dhakal

CPN-UML

11

Mahendra Pandey

CPN-UML

12

Pari Thapa

United Front (UF)

13

Gagan Thapa

NSU

14

Mahesh Shrestha

NC

15

Krishna Lal Shrestha

CPN-UML

16

Raghuji Panta

CPN-UML

17

Keshav Badal

CPN-UML

18

Krishna Pahadi

HR Activist

19

Shyam Shrestha

HR Activist

20

Devendra Pandey

HR Activist

21

Mukunda Neupane

CPN-UML

22

Bhim Rawal

CPN-UML

23

Pradip Gyawali

CPN-UML

24

Gokarna Bista

CPN-UML

25

Krishna Gopal Shrestha

CPN-UML

26

Vidya Bhandari

CPN-UML

27

Lila Mani Pokharel

UF

28

Krishna Lal Maharjan

CPN-UML

29

Madhav Poudel

CPN-UML

30

Mitha Ram Sharma, Bajgain

CPN-UML

31

Ram Kumari Jhankri

ANNFSU

32

Radheshayam Jhonchhe

NC

33

Prem Suwal

NWPP

34

Gobinda Gautam

President-Saraswati Campus

35

Rajendra Khanal

CPN-UML -Nuwakot

36

Om Rajbahak

CPN-UML

37

Sudarshan Acharya

NC

38

Lekhnath Neupane

NC

39

Rajendra Kr. Rajthala

NC

40

Bimal Pun

President-Sano Thimi Campus

41

Rajendra Shrestha

CPN-UML

42

Yogendra Sangroula

Unknown

43

Bidur Mainali

CPN-UML

44

Bimlendra Niddhi

NC-D

45

Ram Sharan Mahat

NC-D

46

Binod Shrestha

GS/GFONT

47

Omkar Shrestha

NC

48

Jagat Raj Shakya

NC

49

Chandra Maharjan

NC

50

Prem Krishna Maharjan

NC

51

Gokul Khadka

NC

52

Chakra Banstola

NC

53

Khum Bdr. Khadka

NC

54

Baldev Majhgaina

NC

55

Govind Maharjan

UF

56

Dipendra Shrestha

UF

57

Rom Lal Maharjan

UF

58

Dip Ram Maharjan

UF

59

Hari Maharjan

UF

60

Tulsi Maharjan

UF

61

Prakash Sharan Mahat

NC-D

62

Pradip Giri

NC-D

63

Bibindra Shrestha

UF

64

Astahlaxmi Shrestha

CPN-UML

65

Laxman Ghimire

NC

66

Siddhi Lal Singh

CPN-UML

Source: HURON (Updated 12:15 p. m.)



In The News


Prohibitory order in the capital justified: Govt. NepalNews
“This is the govt’s most undemocratic act:” Nidhi .... Minutes before his arrest, General Secretary of Nepali Congress (Democratic), Bimalendra Nidhi.... Talking to Nepalnews over phone at around 10:15 this morning, newly appointed general secretary of NC (D), Nidhi said, “Security personnel are awaiting me at the gate of my residence. I am putting on clothes and my family members are looking at me with utmost disappointment and uncertainty.” .....
Dozens of opposition leaders arrested This is state-sponsored anarchy at its worst: UML leader Nepal “This is also a proof that the royal government is breathing its last,” he added..... “This government has been isolated and has lost support from everywhere. The latest autocratic move of the government is nothing but an indication of the defeated mentality of the royal regime,” he said...... He claimed that their valley-wide program slated for Friday would be a grand success. “If the leaders are arrested, common people will take the movement forward,” he said...... UML leader Nepal also informed that security personnel cross over the compound wall of his house to enter into his residence early in the morning. “Security personnel were here at around 4: 00 in the morning. They raided my residence at around 6:30 am. They were asking about our party leader Bamdev Gautam,” he told us.
Rights activists Pahadi, Dr. Panday, Shrestha arrested A family member of Pahadi told Nepalnews that plainclothes security personnel took Pahadi into custody at around 5:30 a. m. this morning..... family members of Dr. Panday told Nepalnews that security personnel took him into custody as soon as he returned to his house from morning walk at around 8:30 p. m.
Government cuts off mobile telephone service The government suspended mobile telephone service from Thursday ahead of the mass meeting of the seven political parties..... the second time the mobile service has been disrupted following the February 1 royal takeover. The government suspended telephone and mobile service immediately after the February 1 royal takeover...... landline telephone services resumed at 8:30 a.m. Landlines and mobile phones went dead early this morning.
16 arrested leaders handed 3-month detention warrant; students defy govt. ban
Dozens detained in Nepal ahead of anti-king rally Reuters.uk, UK
Nepal Gov't Detains Politicians, Activists Houston Chronicle
Parties, King head for a showdown in Nepal Indian Express
Nepal cuts phone lines, arrests feared Reuters AlertNet
Nepal Curfew Extended by One Hour OhmyNews International, South Korea
UN deplores Nepal king's ban on rallies Times of India
‘Fluid’ Nepal situation has India worried The Statesman, India
Nepal Opposition leaders arrested at dawn NewKerala.com, India
Over 300 people, including key opposition leaders, were arrested early Thursday across Nepal as King Gyanendra's government again snapped telephone links and imposed a seven-hour curfew in the Kathmandu Valley for an indefinite period...... Minutes after curfew ended at 4 a.m., security personnel began a spate of raids countrywide, arresting senior opposition leaders from their residences....The UML said 13 of its top leaders had been arrested....The government clamped down curfew from 9 p.m. Wednesday and soon after it ended at 4 a.m. Thursday, all telephone lines were snapped.....Though landlines were restored after 8 a.m., mobile phones still remained disconnected. There was fear that telephone lines would be snapped again...Opposition leaders said chiefs of opposition parties, including Girija Prasad Koirala of the Nepali Congress and Madhav Kumar Nepal of the UML, were under surveillance that could develop into house arrest.
Govt arrests political leaders in Nepal; telephone lines cut Outlook (subscription)
Nepal monarchy's secret plan to undermine opposition NewKerala.com
India closely watching Nepal Kantipur Online, Nepal
Dozens Arrested in Nepal for Defying Order OhmyNews International, South Korea
Nepal Bans Peaceful Public Gatherings OhmyNews International
Nepal Govt Detaines Over 2 Dozen Leaders, Cellular Phone Lines Cut ... NewsLine Nepal, Nepal
Political Movement Gathering Momentum NewsLine Nepal