Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has asked the police authority for full criminal investigation into the case of Maina Sunuwar’s killing to determine the persons responsible and hold them fully accountable.
In a statement Saturday, the OHCHR said the exhumation of Maina Sunuwar’s remains marks a crucial step in the criminal investigation launched by police into the girl’s death, which has been stalled for many months due to the Nepali Army (NA) challenging the jurisdiction of civilian authorities over the case as well as the reluctance of authorities to proceed with an investigation.

OHCHR further said though the exhumation is a positive development, it is essential that police complete a thorough investigation, with full cooperation from the NA.

During her visit to Nepal in January, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, had received assurances from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Home Minister that an investigation would be carried out without delay.

“The exhumation of remains Friday thought to be those of Maina Sunuwar marks a crucial step forward in the quest for justice for her alleged torture and death. A full criminal investigation by police must now proceed to determine who was responsible and to hold them fully accountable,” said Sandra Beidas Officer In Charge of OHCHR-Nepal.

A team from OHCHR on Friday monitored the exhumation of the remains thought to be those of Sunuwar, the 15-year-old girl who was allegedly tortured and died in the custody of the NA in February 2004. The team was accompanied by an international forensic expert, who assisted forensic pathologists from the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Teaching Hospital in the exhumation after an offical request was received.

The remains were exhumed from the grounds of the NA’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal, Kavre District, where military personnel are trained before being deployed on UN peacekeeping missions.

As part of a court martial, the NA in September 2005 found three military personnel guilty of failing to dispose of the body properly. However, details regarding the court martial and the NA’s court of inquiry investigation that preceded it have never been made public. The NA has also failed to provide court of inquiry and court martial documentation to OHCHR despite repeated requests.