Human Rights Commission Recommends Legal Action Against Former Prime Minister and Ministers

May 26, Kathmandu – The National Human Rights Commission has recommended legal action against former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and two ministers, citing their involvement in human rights violations during the events of September 8 and 9. This recommendation is based on findings from a committee formed to study the Janajati movement incidents.

The commission has advised the government to enact effective legislation to prosecute them. Alongside former Prime Minister Oli, the commission has declared former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung as human rights violators.

The commission’s suggestion to the government states, “Since existing laws lack provision to punish individuals for human rights violations, and international principles have established that laws can be created adopting a Western perspective to hold violators accountable, it is necessary to formulate new legislation.” They have proposed penal measures including imprisonment up to six months and fines up to three hundred thousand Nepalese rupees, or both, as initial conditions for such violations.

Additionally, the commission conducted a thorough analysis of incidents involving Ravi Lamichhane and the administrator of Nakkhu Prison, Satyaraj Joshi. The commission concluded that due to Lamichhane’s release from prison, the lives of ten detained children and inmates have been lost. They emphasized, “The government must carry out a detailed investigation into whether the Prison Act of 2022 was violated and ensure appropriate punishment for those found responsible.”

The commission reportedly remained silent regarding the roles of Mayor Balen Shah and the military. Although statements were obtained from Mayor Shah, his responsibilities and role were not detailed in the report. The commission attributed accountability to the security forces for the unnecessary use of weapons, stating, “In future incidents, the Chief of Army Staff will be instructed to prioritize the protection of national property and the human rights of citizens.”