HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CITES CONTINUING MAOIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001649 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016 TAGS: PHUM PTER PGOV NP SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CITES CONTINUING MAOIST ATROCITIES Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (U) On June 21, the Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC),a Nepali human rights group with representation throughout the country, issued a press release expressing serious concern over continuing Maoist human rights violations, despite the Code of Conduct signed between the Maoists and the Government of Nepal. In the press brief, INSEC cites three occurrences of clear Maoist violations: -- On June 10, Maoists abducted and killed a schoolboy in Sindhupalchowk (North of Kathmandu). -- On June 15, Maoists abducted and tortured two men in Kavre District (East of Kathmandu). -- After the cease-fire came into effect, Maoists abducted a member of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) in Dhanusha District (Eastern Nepal). ¶2. (C) Kundan Aryal, General Secretary of INSEC, told Emboff that the press release was part of INSEC's regular monitoring of human rights abuses and that INSEC would report on human rights abuses by anybody. Aryal stated that INSEC hoped to make the Maoist leadership aware that the Maoists had to abide by human rights norms in order for the ongoing peace process to be successful. Subodh Pyakurel, INSEC President, told Emboff that the Maoists would not be happy with INSEC's stand. Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) Although INSEC's central office has close communication with the Maoists, the release of this report showed the organization's willingness to monitor human rights abuses on both sides of the conflict. INSEC has also criticized the eight-point agreement and publicly advised the seven-party alliance leaders not to dissolve parliament until Maoist weapons were managed and a credible alternative to Parliament was in place. INSEC's concern about Maoist actions and intentions reflect public sentiment. MORIARTY