Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that the Morang Police has arbitrarily arrested Dr Chandra Kant Raut, a social activist, at 7:15 PM on 13 September 2014. The police also arrested Satyanarayan Mandal who was travelling with him to Biratnagar after attending Chata Mela in Rangeli Municipality. They are currently being detained at the Morang Police Office. The AHRC fears for the safety of Dr Raut and Satyanarayn Mandal. CASE NARRATIVE: The Asian Human Rights Commission is concerned on the arbitrary arrest of Dr Chandra Kant Raut at 7:15 PM on 13 September 2014 by the Morang Police. Satyanarayan Mandal who was travelling with him was also arrested. The arbitrary arrest took place at Aamtola Ward Number 3 of Rangeli Municipality. Around 12 police officers who came in 2 police vans stopped his vehicle and took them forcibly.Doctor Raut was returning to Biratnagar after attending Chata Mela (Celebration of Santhal Community) in a car, Maruti Van, number Sh. 1 Ch. 154. Doctor Raut holds a PhD from the Cambridge University, UK and worked as a scientist in the USA prior to returning to Nepal to advocate for the rights of the Madheshis, the native and indigenous people of the southern plains. He has been advocating for freedom of Madhesh through peaceful and non-violent means in the capacity of Central Coordinator of the Alliance for Independent Madhesh (AIM). AIM has been recently conducting interaction programs targeted mainly at raising awareness about the history as well as the current political scenario of Madhesh. They have been conducting these informal programs in various districts of Nepal for the last one month, and the participants attend the programs usually by invitation-only. But in many programs, officers from the Nepal Police and Investigation Department (and in one program even army staffs) were present, to which Dr Raut and his organisation did not object and continued their program. However, on 10th September 2014, in Bardiya district, police personnel intervened in their program and asked the organisers to stop that raising fear and panic among the participants. Later the police questioned several participants. They even went to their homes, and reportedly attempted to harass them. Acknowledging that everyone has the rights to freedom of speech, movement, peaceful assembly and association are the fundamental rights of all human beings everywhere, as also mandated by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Nepal is a signatory, we expect acknowledgement and assurance of our rights from the state and its agencies. The AHRC urges the government of Nepal to immediately release Dr Chandra Kant Raut and Satyanarayan Mandal. The AHRC is worried about the physical safety of Dr Raut and Mr Mandal. The AHRC fears possible torture, harassment and other ill treatment during their arbitrary arrest by the Morang Police. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please send letters to authorities listed below, expressing concern about this arbitrary arrest, requesting immediate intervention. Dr Chandra Kant Raut and Satyanarayan Mandal must be released at the earliest. SAMPLE LETTER: Dear ______, NEPAL: Immediately release Doctor Chandra Kant Raut who have been confined into illegal and arbitrary confinement Name of victims: Dr. Chandra Kant Raut & Satyanarayan Mandal Names of alleged perpetrators: Police Officers from the Morang Police Office Date of incident: 7:15 PM, 13 September 2014 Place of incident: Morang Police Office, Morang District, Nepal I write with deep concern that the Morang Police has arbitrarily arrested Dr. Chandra Kant Raut at 7:15 PM Nepali time on 13 September 2014. Satyanarayan Mandal who was travelling with him was also arrested. The arbitrary arrest took place at Aamtola Ward Number 3 of Rangeli Municipality. Around 12 police officers who came in 2 police vans stopped his vehicle and took them forcibly.Doctor Raut was returning to Biratnagar after attending Chata Mela (Celebration of Santhal Community) in a car, Maruti Van, number Sh. 1 Ch. 154. Doctor Raut holds a PhD from the Cambridge University, UK and worked as a scientist in the USA prior to returning to Nepal to advocate for the rights of the Madheshis, the native and indigenous people of the southern plains. He has been advocating for freedom of Madhesh through peaceful and non-violent means in the capacity of Central Coordinator of the Alliance for Independent Madhesh (AIM). AIM has been recently conducting interaction programs targeted mainly at raising awareness about the history as well as the current political scenario of Madhesh. They have been conducting these informal programs in various districts of Nepal for the last one month, and the participants attend the programs usually by invitation-only. But in many programs, officers from the Nepal Police and Investigation Department (and in one program even army staffs) were present, to which Dr Raut and his organisation did not object and continued their program. However, on 10th September 2014, in Bardiya district, police personnel intervened in their program and asked the organisers to stop that raising fear and panic among the participants. Later the police questioned several participants. They even went to their homes, and reportedly attempted to harass them. Acknowledging that everyone has the rights to freedom of speech, movement, peaceful assembly and association are the fundamental rights of all human beings everywhere, as also mandated by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Nepal is a signatory, we expect acknowledgement and assurance of our rights from the state and its agencies. Therefore, I urge the government of Nepal to immediately intervene and release Dr Chandra Kant Raut and Satyanarayan Mandal. The AHRC is worried about the physical safety of Dr Raut and Mr Mandal. The AHRC fears possible torture, harassment and other ill treatment during their arbitrary arrest by the Morang Police. I look forward to your immediate attention in this matter. Yours Sincerely, --------------------------------------- PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: 1. Mr. Sushil Koirala Prime Minister Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal Singh Darbar, Kathmandu P.O. Box: 23312 NEPAL Tel: +977 1 4211000+977 1 4211000 Fax: +977 1 4211086 Email: [email protected] 2. Mr. Bamdev Gautam Home Minister of Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs Singh Darbar, Kathmandu NEPAL Fax: +977 1 421-1257, 421-1286 Email: [email protected] 3. Mr. Bed Prasad Bhattarai Acting Secretary National Human Rights Commission Pulchowk, Lalitpur NEPAL Fax: +977 1 55 47973 Tel: +977 1 5010015+977 1 5010015 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] 4. Mr. Baburam Kunwar Office of Attorney General Ramshah Path, Kathmandu NEPAL Tel: +977 1 4240210+977 1 4240210, +977 1 4262548+977 1 4262548, +977 1 4262394+977 1 4262394 Fax: +977 1 4262582 / 4218051 Email: [email protected] 5. Mr. Upendra Kant Aryal Inspector General of Police Police Head Quarters Naxal, Kathmandu NEPAL Fax: +977 1 4415593 Tel: +977 1 4412432+977 1 4412432 Email: [email protected] Thank you. 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Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 17:04:10 +0000
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