CIVIC: Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict

Latest news: Nepal

The Conflict

In well over a decade of fighting between Maoist rebels and the Royal Nepalese Army ending in 2006, the UN estimates some 13,000 people were killed, around 1,500 disappeared, and thousands displaced as a result of the armed conflict. These numbers include both civilians and combatants as no distinction has been made between the two groups when documenting harm. Maoist insurgents fought on behalf of the Communist Party to overthrow the long-reigning Nepalese monarchy. Maoist fighters made no visible attempts to discriminate between civilians and combatants during warfare and often directly targeted civilians including murder, beatings, and rape. The Nepalese Army was responsible for hundreds of disappearances and it frequently tortured detained individuals. As Maoists sought refuge in civilian communities, inhabitants were placed at even greater risk of fatalities due to potential targeting by Nepalese forces.

Following the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to end the fighting, an interim constitution allowed Maoist membership in the Nepalese Parliament in January 2007. In the 2008 election, the Maoists became the largest party in government, winning more than a third of the votes. Continued challenges include incorporating Maoist rebels into the Nepalese Army,  as required by the CPA, and a growing royalist insurgency movement, threatening the peace process. In May 2010, the Security Council agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) due to continuing insecurity and fear of increased tensions as officials announced they will not complete the draft of the republic's first constitution by the May 28 deadline.

The government is implementing programs designed to provide economic compensation and other forms of relief to relatives of those who died and disappeared. However, victims and human rights organizations have denounced the lack of impartiality in distribution with assistance going to members of influential political parties. Other difficulties are inefficient government outreach and victims' lack of knowledge about their rights. Further, the lack of accountability for human rights violations has the potential to undermine stability in Nepal.The proposed Disappearances and Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, mentioned in the CPA, have yet to become a reality, but when they do, they will have to meet basic standards and set clear goals to be effective. The High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that "until these demands for justice are fulfilled and accountability for past, and in particular ongoing, violations is ensured, a truly new Nepal will not emerge, and indeed, the peace process could be jeopardized."

CIVIC's Work

CIVIC began its advocacy on Nepal in 2007. CIVIC is focused on what amends have been considered for civilian losses and what factors are behind the roadblocks to such programs. In 2009, CIVIC’s research fellow and pro-bono law firm documented traditional compensation practices in the region as well as current or proposed efforts to offer condolences (whether monetary or symbolic) to the 13,000 victims’ families.

In early 2010, a team from the International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) at Harvard Law School traveled to Nepal on CIVIC’s behalf to interview war victims, civil society, and government officials.CIVIC and the IHRC will jointly publish a report aimed at policy makers in Nepal and Europe.The team will analyze specifically how the principle of “making amends” can fit with transitional justice work already taking place in Nepal.

Casualty and Displacement Statistics

In over a decade of civil war: 13,000 people were killed, around 1,500 disappeared and thousands displaced (UNHCHR)

2008: 265 civilian casualties  (U.S. Department of State)

2008: 50,000-70,000 people remained displaced at the end of 2008 (IDMC)

CIVIC on Nepal

Press Release: Nepal: New Maoist-Inclusive Government Must Address Wounds of War, April 2, 2007

To hear what civilians are saying in Nepal, visit A Voice for Survivors: Mother Dangul's Story

For policy and program inquiries:
Sarah Holewinski
202 558 6958 x 501
sarah@civicworldwide.org

For press inquiries:
Marla Keenan
202 558 6958 x 502
marlab@civicworldwide.org