US puts human rights rider on military aid to Nepal
The US government has put conditions on Nepal including human rights clauses if the Himalayan nation is to receive military assistance for its army, reports Utpal Parashar.
The US government has put conditions on Nepal including human rights clauses if the Himalayan nation is to receive military assistance for its army.
The provisions are part of Foreign Military Financing Programme of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2010, which was signed by President Barrack Obama on Wednesday.
It says assistance would be provided only if the Secretary of State certifies that Nepal Army is cooperating fully with investigations and prosecutions by civilian judicial authorities of human rights violations.
Other conditions include integration of former Maoist combatants into the security forces as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2006 and redefinition of Nepal Army’s mission and adjustment in its size.
Implementation of reforms “including strengthening the capacity of the civilian ministry of defence to improve budget transparency and accountability” is another clause put by the Act.
It, however states that the conditions “shall not apply to assistance to support the deployment of members of the Nepal Army in humanitarian relief and reconstruction operations in Nepal”.
The US move comes in the wake of growing international pressure on Nepal to prosecute a Nepal Army official, Major Niranjan Basnet, for his role in the death of Maina Sunuwar (15) in 2004 during the country’s civil war.
This incident was raised in the US senate by Senator Patrick Leahy on Thursday who said that the conditions imposed on military assistance apply “squarely to Maina’s case”.
“This case represents a critical juncture for Nepal. Maina's death will decide whether a civilian, democratic government and the rule of law will determine Nepal's future, or it will remain dominated by the interests of the Nepal army,” stated Leahy.
Sunuwar was tortured to death by Basnet and three others for being an alleged Maoist sympathizer. In September 2005, a military court held three officials guilty and sentenced them to six months imprisonment.
But despite a civil court order seeking his arrest, Basnet was promoted and sent on an UN mission in Chad. He returned home last week after the UN’s peace keeping mission expelled and repatriated him back.
Although Basnet was expected to surrender before a civil court, the Nepal Army took him into custody as soon as he landed in Kathmandu. He is at present under detention at the army headquarters in Bhadrakali.
