NEPAL: UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS CASES

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000463 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SA/INS AND DRL LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY NSC FOR MILLARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS PTER NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS CASES REF: A. 03 KATHMANDU 1805 ¶B. 03 KATHMANDU 2469 ¶C. KATHMANDU 0063 ¶D. KATHMANDU 0141 ¶1. (U) Summary: On March 11 the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) announced that an RNA major will face a court-martial in an infamous case in which 19 suspected Maoists were allegedly extra-judicially killed in Doramba, Ramechhap District on August 17 (Ref A). In addition, a warrant officer and a corporal have been sentenced to two years in prison and discharged from the RNA for their roles in the extra-judicial killings of three civilians in Khotang District on December 6 (Ref C). Another officer may face charges in the same case. End summary. ¶2. (U) On March 11 Col. Dipak Gurung, Royal Nepal Army (RNA) Spokesman, announced that the RNA had concluded its investigation into the August 17 incident in Doramba, Ramechhap, in which RNA soldiers allegedly summarily executed 19 suspected Maoists (Ref A). An RNA major who had been in command of the company that day is facing a court-martial for his involvement in the incident, Gurung confirmed. ¶3. (SBU) Colonel Gurung also confirmed that a decision had been handed down in the courts-martial of RNA soldiers involved in the extra-judicial killings of three civilians in Diktel, Khotang District on December 6 (Ref C). An RNA corporal and a warrant officer have both been sentenced to two years in jail and will be discharged from the Army, Gurung said. According to Gurung, the corporal, who was a native of that locality, falsely accused the three civilians of being Maoists because of a long-standing personal grudge against them. The officer in charge of the platoon, ignoring orders to conduct the search himself, sent his warrant officer out to apprehend the three. The warrant officer reportedly ordered the three shot. The corporal was convicted of giving false information, and the warrant officer of giving an unlawful order. The RNA has recommended to the Cabinet that the officer face charges as well for failing to obey the order to lead the platoon, Gurung added, but the Cabinet has yet to act on that recommendation. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The major in the Ramechhap incident is the highest-ranking--indeed, the only--RNA officer who has faced a court-martial for gross violations of human rights. While we are heartened that the RNA, after reviewing the case for six months, is taking action, much remains to be achieved in improving military discipline and accountability. MALINOWSKI