Rights organizations demand independent mechanism for effective investigations of torture in custody

Kathmandu, 27 June (2021) - On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (26 June), victims' groups and associations and national and international human rights organizations have called upon the Government of Nepal to immediately establish an independent mechanism to effectively investigate and prosecute all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

International human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), to which Nepal is a party, oblige Nepal to investigate, prosecute, punish and provide effective remedies and reparations to victims of torture and other acts of ill-treatment. However, Nepal has failed to comply with these obligations.