RNA committed for protection and promotion of human rights: CoAS Thapa

February 17, 2006
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Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Pyar Jung Thapa has said that the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) is committed to the protection of human rights and innocent people and will remain committed.

Pyar Jung Thapa

Pyar Jung Thapa (File Photo)
Giving directives to the army staff during his visit to various security camps at Hathuwagadhi of Bhojpur, Salleri of Dhankuta and Chapma of Sindhuli under the central divisional headquarters, he said that all should be united for the protection and promotion of human rights.

He expressed commitment to follow the directives for the protection and promotion of human rights.

A press statement issued by the Ministry of Defense stated the army chief as saying that the Maoists should be welcome if they want to lay down arms and join the mainstream.

He also said that security forces played an important role for the success of the municipal polls.

Meanwhile, the RNA made it clear that no army personnel or officers, who were involved in rights violation, were included in the peacekeeping mission or any other international missions.

Reports quoted RNA spokesperson Nepal Bhusan Chand as saying that the RNA investigated 264 incidents of rights violations and took action against the guilty.

According to RNA, 106 army personnel faced two months to seven years of imprisonment, 59 suspended, 42 demoted, 19 faced postponement of grades and 24 postponement of promotion following the mobilization of security forces against the Maoist rebels.

Likewise, seven army men received warnings, seven were compelled to give compensation to the victims and over 101 faced various actions for violation of human rights.

Earlier, The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has called upon the Nepali authorities to hold accountable what it called perpetrators of human rights violations within the security forces and exclude them from participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.