PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 31/31/00

UA 347/00 Fear of torture/"Disappearance" 9 November 2000

NEPAL Geeta Shahi (f), aged 23


A woman political activist is believed to have been arrested by
plainclothes police. The police have denied having her in custody, and
Amnesty International is concerned for her safety.

Geeta Shahi was seen being taken away by two men in civilian clothes on 31
October, at around 4pm. The arrest took place at Bar Vanjyang, Ward No. 4,
Bari Phant, Bhany Marg, Tanahu district.

Geeta Shahi is the chairwoman of the All Nepal Women's Organisation
(Revolutionary) in Tanahun district. This organization is known to be
affiliated to the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist).

When her relatives made inquiries at the nearby Nareswor police station the
next day the police denied having her in custody. The family made further
inquiries on 2 November at the district police office in Damauli, but the
police there also denied arresting her. A complaint was also made to the
National Human Rights Commission.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Amnesty International has received reports of increasing numbers of
"disappearances" and unacknowledged detentions over the last three years,
linked to the CPN (Maoist) "people's war". Amnesty has recorded 24
"disappearances" in 1998, 18 in 1999 and 12 so far this year.

After sustained pressure on the authorities, including mass appeals by
Urgent Action appeal writers, some people who had been reported
"disappeared" have been released. Some of them have since testified that
they were taken away by police officers in plain clothes, in unmarked
vehicles with covered number plates, and that they were held incommunicado
in unofficial places of detention, including the Maharajgunj Police
Training Centre, Kathmandu, and the Armed Police Battalion Headquarters in
Pokhara, Kaski district.

Amnesty International welcomes the fact that the government has taken some
steps which could help resolve or prevent "disappearances", including the
establishment of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The
Commission's members were finally appointed at the end of May 2000, nearly
four years after the Act establishing it was passed in Parliament. Amnesty
International is urging the government to ensure the Commission is able to
function independently, is well resourced and receives full cooperation
from the police and other institutions.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail
letters in English or your own language:
- expressing concern for the safety of Geeta Shahi, who has "disappeared"
after she was seen being taken away by two men thought to be plainclothes
police officers, at Bhany Marg, Tanahu district;
- calling on the authorities to establish an independent and impartial
investigation into her fate and whereabouts and to make the findings
public;
- calling on the authorities to allow her, if she is found to be in
detention, immediate access to her relatives, lawyers and any medical
treatment she may need;
- urging that, if she is detained, she be promptly charged with a
recognizably criminal offence, or else immediately released, and that steps
be taken in the meantime to guarantee her safety;
- expressing grave concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in
Nepal and appealing for an immediate halt to human rights violations,
including "disappearances".

APPEALS TO:
Rt Hon Prime Minister Giriji Prasad Koirala
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu
Nepal
Telegrams: Prime Minister, Kathmandu, Nepal
Faxes: + 977 1 227 286 or 428 570
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister

Hon Ram Chandra Poudel
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu
Nepal
Telegrams: Home Affairs Minister, Kathmandu, Nepal
Faxes: + 977 1 241 942
Salutation: Dear Minister

Mr Pradeep Shamsher J B Rana
Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
GPO Box 407
Naxal
Kathmandu
Nepal
Telegrams: Inspector General Police, Kathmandu, Nepal
Faxes: + 977 1 415 593/415 594
Salutation: Dear Inspector General

COPIES OF YOUR LETTERS TO THE PRIME MINISTER TO:

Nayan Bahadur Khatri
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Harihar Bhawan
Pulchowk
Lalitpur
Nepal
Faxes: + 977 1 525 842
Salutation: Dear Chairperson

and to diplomatic representatives of Nepal accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 21 December 2000.