Human Rights Commission Report Cites Failure of Former PM, Home Minister in Handling 'Genji' Protests

Kathmandu. The investigation committee formed to probe the crackdown and damages related to the 'Genji' protests on Bhadra 23 and 24 submitted its report to the Commission Chairman Tap Bahadur Magar on Friday.

Sources within the Commission indicated that the probe report concluded that the then Prime Minister, Home Minister, and security chiefs failed to perform their duties responsibly. However, the report has not yet been made public.

A source from the Commission stated, "The 600-page report meticulously studied the incidents of both Bhadra 23 and 24 and recommended action against officials of the National Security Committee for human rights violations. We could only recommend action. It also suggested that the government and officials in responsible positions should be more vigilant in the future."

Furthermore, the Commission's report concluded that the incident on Bhadra 23 was not examined closely enough, and that the state used excessive force instead of responsibly ensuring citizen security.

During the protests, then Prime Minister KP Oli chaired the Security Council. Members included then Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzoo Rana Deuba, Defense Minister Manveer Rai, Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal, and Chief of Army Staff Ashok Sigdel.

The source informed that the Commission prepared the report after studying 300-400 messages, over 2,000 videos, and audio recordings. The Commission also stated that it took statements from those injured during the 'Genji' protests while preparing the report.

According to the Commission, the investigation focused on the crackdown and human rights violations of the Bhadra 23 incident, while the investigation for the Bhadra 24 incident focused on issues like accountability and impunity.

The Commission conducted its study through its mechanisms in Kathmandu and various districts. The Commission questioned security personnel deployed in the field on Bhadra 23 and 24, going through the District Security Council. The Commission also sought details from the Nepali Army.

The Commission publicly released a brief report of its monitoring during the 'Genji' protests on Ashoj 10. That report determined that the government's failure to assess potential causes before the incident was a weakness.

The report stated, "Although the demonstration was peaceful on the morning of the first day of the demonstration, the situation turned violent after midday with incidents of arson and the shooting of some protesters by security forces," adding, "During monitoring, it was found that indiscriminate arson and vandalism occurred on the second day due to the death of protesters from security force gunfire on the first day of the demonstration."

The Commission directed the government to identify the causes of such violent incidents and create an environment where they do not recur in the future. The Commission had formed an investigation committee under the coordination of Commission member Dr. Lily Thapa on the day of the 'Genji' protests and began its work. On Bhadra 24, the Commission issued a press release demanding an end to killings in the name of law and order and announced the formation of the investigation team.