TIKA R PRADHAN
KATHMANDU: The government today promoted Col Raju Basnet, one of the most controversial army officers facing allegations of dozens of cases of human rights violations including enforced disappearances and torture during the time of conflict, as brigadier general.
The earlier attempts to promote Basnet had failed after immense pressure from National Human Rights Commission and international rights bodies.
The government move today is sure to draw fire from several quarters and international human rights watchdog. Rights bodies have long been calling for an independent investigation into the allegations that Basnet, as the commander of the Bhairavnath Battalion in 2003, was involved in meting out torture to Maoists and subsequently their systematic disappearance.
An investigation by the NHRC and one by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had concluded that the then Lt Col Basnet had played a leading role in torturing and disappearing at least a dozen Maoist cadres from the
NA’s Bhairavnath Battalion. Earlier on July 20, 2012, UNHCHR in Geneva had raised serious concerns about the government bid to promote Col Basnet.The earlier attempts to promote Basnet had failed after immense pressure from National Human Rights Commission and international rights bodies.
The government move today is sure to draw fire from several quarters and international human rights watchdog. Rights bodies have long been calling for an independent investigation into the allegations that Basnet, as the commander of the Bhairavnath Battalion in 2003, was involved in meting out torture to Maoists and subsequently their systematic disappearance.
An investigation by the NHRC and one by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had concluded that the then Lt Col Basnet had played a leading role in torturing and disappearing at least a dozen Maoist cadres from the
Asked about Basnet’s promotion, NHRC Spokesperson Gauri Pradhan said the national rights body would come up with an official comment after studying the text of the government decision. However, defending the government, Minister for Science and Technology Keshav Man Shakya said the decision was taken with an objective ‘to establish peace by leaving all the conflict-time grievances behind and let the society reconcile by forgiving and forgetting the pains and woes of war’. “We are well aware of the fact that human rights bodies will object to the decision, but we moved ahead thinking why to hamper an individual’s career as Basnet did not commit any crime on his own,” said Shakya. “In addition there are many cases against Maoist leaders too that need to be scrapped.”
The government today also promoted four other colonels and five lieutenant colonels.
Quid pro quo? Maoist cases scrapped
KATHMANDU: The Unified CPN-Maoist led government on Thursday decided to withdraw the cases of human rights violations of Maoist leaders. According to Minister for Science and Technology Keshav Man Shakya, a Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to withdraw the cases filed against some 30 Maoist leaders, including UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice-chairman and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Spokesman Agni Sapkota.
KATHMANDU: The Unified CPN-Maoist led government on Thursday decided to withdraw the cases of human rights violations of Maoist leaders. According to Minister for Science and Technology Keshav Man Shakya, a Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to withdraw the cases filed against some 30 Maoist leaders, including UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice-chairman and Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Spokesman Agni Sapkota.
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