UN says torture common in Nepal

By Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu

Security forces 'have used electric shock torture'

A senior UN official has said that the systematic torture of detainees is widespread in Nepal.

The special rapporteur on torture, Manfred Nowak, blamed the army and the police for the excesses against suspected Maoist rebels.

But he said that the rebels have also been engaged in torture.

Manfred Nowak's visit to Nepal followed increasing concern at human rights abuses including torture of detainees in recent years.

Mr Nowak visited a number of detention centres and interviewed former and present detainees during his one week stay.

He said that there have been cases where detainees have been beaten with bamboo poles and plastic pipes, kicked and given electric shocks.

He cited other cases such as using rods on the thighs of the detainees, tying them to a pole and hanging them upside down.

Culture of impunity

There have also been cases where the detainees have been kept blindfolded and handcuffed for a prolonged period, he said.

Mr Nowak said the Maoists pierced prisoners legs

Mr Nowak said that some senior police and army officials admitted to carrying out torture.

But he said that the culture of impunity persists.

He urged the government to make at the highest level a clear public commitment against impunity to the perpetrators of torture.

Mr Nowak said that he also received what he called shocking evidence of torture and mutilation by the Maoist rebels in order to extort money, punish non-cooperation and intimidate others.

The methods included beatings with sticks on the legs, piercing of legs with metal rods, beatings with rifle butts on ankles and mutilation, Mr Nowak said.

The authorities had in the past insisted that the government was committed to prevent human rights abuses and torture.

They did not rule out such cases, but said that disciplinary action had been taken against the guilty.

The UN special rapporteur said that this was not enough.

At the end of his fact-finding tour, he called for strong anti-torture legislation and prompt and impartial investigations into the allegations of torture.

National and international human rights groups have blamed both government troops and the Maoist rebels for the excesses.

Twelve thousand people have been killed over the past 10 years of Maoist insurgency that is aimed at replacing the monarchy with a communist republic.