Impunity worries UN agency

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

BIRATNAGAR: The chief of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal today expressed concern about the state of impunity in the country and maintained that the rights scenario is bleak because the political parties are shielding criminals.

A spurt in the cases of violence against women, attack on mediapersons and death threats to police personnel and their families all point at a burgeoning culture of impunity in Nepal, especially in the eastern region, OHCHR Nepal chief Jyoti Sanghera told mediapersons in Biratnagar.

The UN rights official pledged to hold talks with political parties to bring the criminals to justice and called on the media to pressurise the government to guarantee press freedom.

Criminal elements are on the loose due to rampant politicisation of the society and this is a sign of a country in transition, Sanghera observed and stressed that ending the transitional phase is the only long-term solution.

Sanghera appreciated National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) contribution to human rights promotion and protection and said her organisation is ready to provide all possible support to the commission.

She exuded optimism that the new Home Minister will work to end impunity and added that criminals must be brought to book.

Sanghera expressed solidarity with the editors’ demand for the protection of freedom of expression and end to violence against mediapersons.

The United Nations official also called on Deputy Inspector General Surendra Bahadur Shah, Morang Chief District Officer Suresh Adhikari, Morang Police chief Pradhyumna Karki in their respective offices in Biratnagar and took stock of the security situation in the eastern region.

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