KATHMANDU, DEC 12 -
The government has defended its decision to extend the tenure of an army officer who was implicated in human rights violation.
Responding to an inquiry of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Defense Ministry has forwarded an explanation to the Prime Minister's Office maintaining that there should be no reason not to extend the term of Col. Raju Basnet as "he was found guilty of any crime".
On the allegation of human rights defenders that Basnet was responsible for disappearance of 49 persons from Bhairabnath Battalion during 2003-04, government officials argued that it was a matter that the proposed commissions on disappearances as well as truth and reconciliation should look into.
“The government listens to what the Supreme Court says, not what rights defenders say,” said a senior Defense Ministry official on condition of anonymity.
“In its ruling on the disappearance of Bhairabnath Battalion, the Supreme Court had directed the government to act on the allegations relating to crimes committed during the conflict period by formulating necessary laws which have not been formed yet," he said. "The government will take action if anyone is found guilty by the proposed mechanisms on transitional justice.”
The NHRC, however, is yet to receive a reply in response to its inquiry dispatched in October.
Posted on: 2010-12-13 12:39
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