The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has expressed concern over statements made by the United States Senator Patrick Leahy to the US Senate regarding human rights abuses by the army.
In a statement issued today, the RNA has categorically stated that it has not been involved in any widespread human rights violations, disappearances or extra judicial killings in custody.
It has termed Senator Leahy’s July 28 statements that the Nepalese army is summarily executing prisoners as ‘unfortunate’ and has strongly denied the accusations.
“The RNA has taken strong action against soldiers who have been accused or found guilty of human rights abuses and it is not just a claim as commented by the Senator”, the statement said. “The RNA would also like to firmly state that no army officer in the RNA’s human rights cell has ever made comments that human rights violations by the army are “much ado about nothing” as Senator Leahy is quoted telling the US Senate,” it added.
Denying Leahy’s comments on the RNA disrespecting the independence of the judiciary and not complying with Supreme Court orders, the RNA said it had answered 382 habeas corpus from the Supreme Court and that they were no pending cases. “Isolated individual cases of abuses may have been reported but measures have been taken by the RNA to investigate such violation and punish personnel when found guilty,” the statement read.
The RNA has set up the Human Rights Cell at the Royal Nepalese Army Headquarters in July 2002, and Human Right Cell in Divisional and Brigade Headquarters across the country. It has issued instructions and directives to all the field formations of the army to respect human rights including humane treatment of the prisoners and the detainees, the statement read.
The RNA further stated it has been working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in packaging educational and training programs for its soldiers and with the American government in training officers on International Humanitarian Laws and Laws of the Armed conflict.
The RNA has reiterated its commitment to respect national and international human rights laws.