RSP demands action over 'inhumane' treatment of party head Lamichhane

Kathmandu, December 6 —  The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has strongly objected to the incident where its leader and former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Rabi Lamichhane, was suddenly transferred from Chitwan to Pokhara.

The party has also drawn the serious attention of international human rights activists and organizations to this matter.

In a press release, party spokesperson Manish Jha expressed concern over the event where Lamichhane, after being questioned throughout the day at the Chitwan District Government Attorney’s office, was abruptly taken from his bed at night and transported to Pokhara by road at 3 AM.

“This step by the government is an inhumane, humiliating, and unlawful act, using state machinery to torture the leader of a rival political party under various pretexts,” the statement said.

“In the meantime, the personal diary of President Lamichhane was mysteriously disappeared from custody. We strongly condemn this act. The government's actions have violated the natural human rights of citizens. The state must justify this brutal action. We urge the National Human Rights Commission and all national and international human rights organizations to take serious notice of this,” the release added.

The party also stated that Lamichhane is not a criminal but a person under investigation, and he has been cooperating with the legal process.

“The act of treating a popular elected representative, who is cooperating in an investigation, as a criminal and conducting such behavior violates Nepal's Constitution, Articles 18 and 22, as well as Section 167 of the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 1984,” the statement said. “We urge that those responsible for this incident be held accountable in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.”

Furthermore, the party appealed to all justice-loving citizens to remain active in defending the judicial system, rule of law, and democratic rights.