Human rights organisations have called for end to all forms of torture and full respect of human rights of individuals.

On the occasion of 20th anniversary of the enforcement of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the world is observing the UN Day In Support of Victims of Torture on June 26.

“Torture is legally wrong, politically dangerous and ethically unacceptable,” states a press release issued by Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT).

“Impunity must cease to exist in the new era of Nepal’s political development. The Interim Constitution of Nepal, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture, all state that torture is an absolute and non-derogable crime. This means that even in a state of emergency that is duly imposed, no legislative, administrative or judicial measure authorising the recourse to torture will be considered as lawful under international law, and, therefore, any measure of that kind will engage the State’s responsibility,” the Centre states.

“We would like to urge Nepal government to end the legally wrong, politically dangerous and ethically unacceptable incidences of torture from our country. Those who are suffering from the consequences of torture must receive adequate reparation that includes physical and psychosocial rehabilitation, moral and legal redress and fair compensation,” it further states.

Likewise, Advocacy Forum Nepal (AFN) has reported that even after the end of autocracy, torture still continues. The AFN has registered 1313 new cases of torture after April 2006 until now, the report said. The forum has documented 17 cases of torture, four cases of rape, and six cases of illegal detention of civilians by the military after April 2006. It has also documented 67 cases of torture, a case of rape and 96 cases of abduction by the Maoists during the same period.