Nepali Congress Demands Action on Human Rights Commission Report

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress has drawn the attention of the government to the investigation report published by the National Human Rights Commission regarding the protests held on Bhadra 23 and 24, demanding strict action against the culprits. The Congress has stated that both the violence during the protests and the excessive use of force by the state are contrary to democratic values and principles, and has pressured the government to implement the commission's recommendations within the constitutional framework. Party spokesperson Devraj Chalise, in a press release, stated that the report of the Human Rights Commission has confirmed that the report of the inquiry commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, formed by the previous government, was incomplete, inadequate, and unclear. The Congress concludes that the Karki commission was not impartial, as the Human Rights Commission itself pointed to Chairman Karki and suggested that he be investigated further. The Congress stated that its suspicion that the Karki commission's report was not made public before the general elections had a planned objective, and therefore, the party has demanded that an investigation into Karki be immediately initiated. The Congress pointed out that although the initial phase of the protest was related to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and demands for good governance, it was later infiltrated by violence in a planned manner. The Congress stated that there was vandalism, arson, murder, and looting of public and private property, and clarified that further investigation and action should be taken against the MPs and responsible state officials suspected of such activities. The Congress demands that those who instigated the peaceful demonstration to become violent and those who took innocent lives or looted should be prosecuted under the criminal code, regardless of their position, without political protection or party access. Similarly, pointing to the fact that the Human Rights Commission's report considers the failure of state mechanisms and the excessive use of force by security forces as human rights violations, the Congress stated that officials found guilty should also be brought to legal accountability. Reminding that the Supreme Court has already established a precedent that the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission are binding on the government, the Congress has demanded that the government acknowledge its accountability and make an official statement on this matter. The Congress has drawn the attention of the government to proceed with legal action against the MPs, individuals, or bodies identified by the commission and not to allow any governmental or political pressure. Furthermore, the government has been urged to provide justice, appropriate relief, and rehabilitation, including free treatment, to the families of citizens who lost their lives or were injured due to state force during the protests. The Congress stated that the state should take parental responsibility for the damage to private sector and business property during the protests and provide appropriate compensation from insurance or the state treasury. The party also emphasized the need for necessary review and reform to make the security forces modern, effective, and human rights-friendly to prevent such incidents in the future. The Congress concludes that democracy cannot be accepted as mob rule and that the cruelty displayed by the state is also entirely inappropriate. The statement said, 'We find both anarchic violence and excessive state force unacceptable. The strength of democracy lies in citizen freedom, institutional restraint, rule of law, and a responsible government.'