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Nepal: Maoists
condemned for killing rights activist
New
Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today condemned the
assassination of the Chairman of the Maoist-Victims' Association
(MVA), Mr Ganesh Bahadur Chilwal, at Bagbazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
yesterday i.e. 15 February 2004 by the Maoists. Two suspected Maoist
cadres shot dead Mr Chilwal in front of his office. Ex-vice-chairman
of the Dhamilakuwa Village Development Committee in Lamjung district,
Mr Chilwal had received a death threat on 21 December 2003 from
the Maoists asking him to shut down his office or else face death.
On 13 February 2004, the MVA activists burnt the effigies of Maoist
leaders, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai.
The
Maoists have so far killed over 2,800 persons since the start of
socalled Peoples War in 1996. The killing of Mr Chilwal in the heart
of Kathmandu is clear testimony to the ruthless methods of the Maoists.
The Maoists have been responsible for gross and flagrant human rights
violations such as torture, kidnapping, hostage taking, extortion,
killing and suppression of freedom of expression and opinion. The
atrocities by the Maoists against political opponents, suspected
police/military informers and alleged feudal lords have led to exodus
of thousands of people from rural areas.
"The
Maoists have consistently violated International Humanitarian Laws
in particular common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. By killing
Mr Chilwal, the Maoists sought to silence those who critique their
human rights violations and warn all human rights defenders in Nepal
not to criticize the Maoists for gross human rights violations."
- stated Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.
The
Asian Centre for Human Rights called upon the government of Nepal
to bring the killers of Mr Chilawal to justice.[END]
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For more
information please call Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights
in New Delhi, India at +91-11-25503624 or 25620583
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