HRW urges Nepal to investigate killings during ongoing protests

Nepali authorities should immediately investigate and bring to justice those responsible for killings and other violations during ongoing protests over the constitutional debate, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report released today.

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The HRW said that at least 45 people were killed during the protests in August and September 2015. The violence included the use of arbitrary and disproportionate force, and extrajudicial killings by the police against protesters; killing of children; and murders of police officers, it added.

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Asia director at Human Rights Watch Brad Adams, said, "While the drafting of a rights-respecting constitution is an emotional issue in Nepal, disagreements cannot be resolved by committing serious human rights abuses."

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The 44-page report, "'Like We Are Not Nepali': Protest and Police Crackdown in the Terai Region of Nepal," documents Human Rights Watch investigations into the killings of 25 people, including 16 members of the public and 9 police officers, in five Terai districts between August 24 and September 11, 2015.

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Adams said, "Nepal's new leadership should take immediate steps to stem the tide of abuse that has overtaken Nepal the last few months." He added, "The government needs to order investigations, and publicly call on all security forces to desist from any excessive use of force.