Escalating violence over autonomy in Nepal

Violence between protesters and security forces escalated in western Nepal on August 24, 2015, Human Rights Watch said today.

The government should order an independent and impartial investigation into all protest-related deaths and ensure that security forces deployed to restore order remain disciplined and respect basic rights.

"Nepal's government is squarely to blame for its failure to engage with the local community and address its concerns, which led to this horrific escalation, but violent attacks on police can only be deplored," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"The government needs to take immediate steps to restore order and prevent retaliation by the police," Adams added.

Large parts of Nepal have been rocked by violent protests over the last few weeks, as indigenous and disenfranchised groups took to the streets to demand that the new draft constitution address their longstanding grievances and include them in an equal and participatory democratic state.

At least four protesters died in previous protests when police responded with seemingly disproportionate force, although the police contend that they were responding in self-defence. After the protests turned violent, the government responded by deploying the army across Kailali and two neighboring districts.

"The violence in Kailali and the deployment of the army threatens to further increase tensions in an already charged situation," Adams said.

"It is critical for leaders on all sides of the political divide to call on their supporters to act peacefully," he added.

The army and police should abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which provide that security forces shall as far as possible apply nonviolent means before resorting to the use of force.