Nepal Crisis

End of State of Emergency Only an Illusion

Press Statement

May 1, 2005, Kathmandu

We are convinced that the basic principles of human rights and rule of law continue to be undermined even after the April 29, 2005 end of the "state of emergency," which had been declared when King Gyanendra usurped all executive powers on February 1, 2005. The King's 21-point program and his ongoing administrative interference by issuing illegal orders, ordinances and directives, retain the suppression of political and civil rights despite the end of the "state of emergency."

The state's calculated actions since February 1 st ensure the ongoing restrictions of people's civil and democratic rights, even without a declared "state of emergency." This is illustrated by the issued directive to continue the Royal Commission for Corruption Control beyond the scope of the "state of emergency" and by the order to ban all forms of public program in Kathmandu, issued through the Kathmandu District Administration Office in the name of maintaining peace and security. Similarly, the state's autocratic mentality was demonstrated by the unwarranted shooting at the Siddhanath Multiple Campus in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, of student leaders while they held a peaceful meeting on April 30, 2005.

The ending of the "state of emergency" has no positive impact on the public sector, while the state continues to practice illegal mass arrests, detains and places under house arrest political leaders and their cadres, human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists, as well as imposing absolute censorship on the media. Identifying the restoration of rights based on the end of the "state of emergency" is only an illusion. The regime must withdraw its restriction of the freedom of movement of human rights defenders and restore and ensure the fundamental human rights of each citizen.

We condemn the violations of human rights and humanitarian laws that have been committed against civilians. We also demand the formation of an independent, impartial, and transparent mechanism to investigate and take action against perpetrators involved in violating human rights and humanitarian laws during the "state of emergency."

On behalf of 25 human rights organizations,

Subodhraj Pyakurel
Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti
Shobhakar Budhathoki