RECONSTITUTED NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001297 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS DEPT PLEASE PASS EU COLLECTIVE NSC FOR GREEN/DORMANDY LONDON FOR POL-BELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015 TAGS: PGOV PINS PHUM NP SUBJECT: RECONSTITUTED NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ALREADY AT WORK REF: A. KATHMANDU 1135 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1294 Classified By: Charge Elisabeth I. Millard, Reasons 1.4 (b/d) NHRC ACTIVE ... -------------- ¶1. (C) In a June 14 meeting with all five members of the newly reconstituted National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) (ref A),Chairman Khatri told CDA that he appreciated U.S. support. He stated that the NHRC was continuing its protection and promotion work with greater vigor. He added that the NHRC was independent and impartial and able to work without "interference from any side." The NHRC had issued a press release June 13 calling for the release of political leaders and human rights defenders (2 remain in detention), appealing to HMGN to stop re-arrests of individuals ordered released by the Supreme Court, and seeking cooperation in two separate incidents where Maoists are alleged to be the perpetrators. Chairman Khatri reported that the NHRC hoped to cooperate with the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal; the UN was sending a team from Geneva June 26-July 2 to study the latest developments in Nepal, including the reconstituted NHRC. ...INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS, -------------- ¶2. (C) The NHRC continues to investigate possible human rights violations. Sudip Pathak, human rights activist and newly appointed Commission member, said he had led a team to Chitwan District to investigate the June 6 incident when the Maoists blew up a bus killing 39 passengers. After talking with numerous civil society organizations, the victims' families, the injured, the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA),and having indirect contact with the Maoist side, Pathak said he expected to be able to issue the NHRC's report soon. In addition, a priority of the new NHRC is to follow up with His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMGN) to monitor its implementation of past NHRC recommendations. In particular the NHRC will look at 30 recent cases where the NHRC has recommended that HMGN take action against the perpetrators and provide compensation to victims. ¶3. (C) The NHRC receives walk-in complaints, which it then investigates. Kedar Prasad Poudyel, Acting Secretary of NHRC, explained that the NHRC had worked with the Royal Corruption Control Commission (RCCC) which is headquartered in an adjacent wing, to ensure that the main gate remains open and access is free to anybody who wants to approach the NHRC. (The RCCC moved its security personnel inside its front doors.) ... AND VISITING DETAINEES -------------- ¶4. (C) The NHRC stated that security services provided good access to places of detention and Commission members and staff had continued to visit people in detention, including the journalists arrested on June 13 (ref B). Commissioner Gokul Pokharel reported that the NHRC had found the eight journalists they saw in good condition. (Note. On June 14 HMGN released all 48 journalists arrested June 13 for protesting in a restricted area in Kathmandu. The journalists detained outside Kathmandu were released within hours of their arrest. End Note.) The members said that they were not having any problems with access to places of detention, nor did they have to give prior notice. They added that they had visited RNA barracks and police barracks as well as other places of detention. The NHRC planned a June 15 meeting with senior RNA officers to discuss emerging issues, most importantly, a list of disappeareds. Sudip Pathak said the NHRC had visited detained human rights activist Krishna Pahadi two weeks ago. (Note: NHRC reported that only 1 other human rights worker (from HURON) remained in detention. End Note.) COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) This was the first time the Embassy had been able to meet with all five Commissioners at one time, a positive sign that the newly reconstituted team might prove more functional than its predecessor. Noting concerns among some in the international community about the selection process, the Charge stressed that the U.S. would watch the NHRC's performance and judge the NHRC on that basis. The Commissioners welcomed that announcement and indicated they were eager to perform their service to society. "We did not seek this appointment, but now that we have it we will do our best." MILLARD