A high-level team led by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Nayan Bahadur Khatri visited detention centres where five former ministers have been detained Sunday afternoon.

Members of the NHRC Sudip Pathak and Gokul Pokherel were also present on the occasion.

The NHRC team queried about the health of the detained former ministers.

Johan Olhagen, head of the Kathmandu field office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR) also visited the former Ministers in detention.

The former ministers have been detained with the same laws used by the royal regime to arrest pro-democracy supporters.

The Rayamajhi Commission set-up to investigate the atrocities during the pro-democracy movement is yet to give its report.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights strongly condemned the arrests saying, “The government was misusing the public safety act”.

The government on Friday arrested former Home Minister Kamal Thapa, former Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, former Local Development Minister Tanka Dhakal, former minister of state for Information and Communications Shrish Shumsher Rana and former assistant minister Nikshya Shumsher Rana on the recommendation of the high level commission formed to investigate the atrocities committed during the pro-democracy movement of the country and to recommend action against culprits.

Meanwhile, Bishal Bikram Shah, chairman of Nepali Nationalists Organization (NNO) USA”, demanded to immediately release former Home Minister and Chairman of the Rastriya Prajantra Party Kamal Thapa, and all others immediately.

“The action taken by the Judicial Commission under the pressure of the SPA and Maoists is unconstitutional and should be annulled,” a statement issued by the NNO said.

The statement alleged the Commission was formed for the purpose of revenge. It added if the Commission was formed for the right purpose, it should also take action against the corrupt leaders and the Maoists who have committed atrocities and killed thousands of innocent Nepali people.

“NNO also heartily requests all to be very alert in order to save our motherland from disintegration,” the statement added.

The NNO also appealed to International Rights watchdog, Amnesty International to work to protect the Gross Human Rights violations committed by the present government.