Kathmandu: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Nepal’s fourth-largest political party, has urged international human rights bodies, including the United Nations human rights body, to intervene in what it describes as serious violations of fundamental human rights by the state party against its chairperson Rabi Lamichhane.
The party alleges harassment, inhumane treatment, and procedural irregularities during Lamichhane’s detention.
On Sunday, RSP Acting General Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti sent letters to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Human Rights Foundation, and Global Rights. The party called on these organizations to independently investigate the allegations and ensure justice.
The RSP’s letter outlines several instances of alleged human rights abuses since Lamichhane’s detention began on August 19, 2024. It accuses Nepal Police of being involved in a “media trial” by selectively leaking confidential documents to media outlets. These leaks, the RSP claims, were aimed at swaying public opinion and influencing judicial outcomes, thereby undermining the integrity of the legal process.
[Related: Voices being raised against ‘unfair trial’ on former home minister Rabi Lamichhane]
The letter by Burlakoti details incidents of inhumane treatment.
On December 5, 2024, Lamichhane was abruptly transferred from the custody in Chitwan to Pokhara in the middle of the night, without prior notice or the opportunity for legal consultation. The transfer, conducted while Lamichhane was reportedly unwell and deprived of adequate rest, has been labeled by the RSP as a blatant violation of basic human rights. The party also claims Lamichhane was denied a health check-up during the transfer process, leading to critical health concerns. When examined in Pokhara, his blood pressure was recorded at an alarming 90/180, according to party leaders.
Additionally, the confiscation of Lamichhane’s personal notes during his detention has raised further alarm. The RSP argues that such actions are reminiscent of authoritarian practices from Nepal’s Panchayat era, posing significant threats to democratic norms and the rule of law.
The RSP has characterized these actions as politically motivated, alleging a state vendetta against Lamichhane aimed at silencing dissent and undermining democratic values in Nepal.
The party expressed concern about the erosion of justice and fairness within the country’s legal system. Critics from across the political spectrum, including some influential leaders from ruling parties, have joined the outcry, criticizing the government’s handling of the case.
In its appeal to international organizations, the RSP has outlined three key demands: a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations, immediate measures to protect Lamichhane’s fundamental rights, and advocacy for justice, democratic principles, and fair treatment in legal proceedings.
Following a report submitted by the RSP on December 6, representatives from Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) visited Lamichhane in Pokhara to assess his condition and ensure his rights are upheld. While the NHRC’s involvement provides some oversight, the RSP insists that international scrutiny is essential given the severity of the allegations.
The circumstances surrounding Lamichhane’s arrest and treatment raise legitimate concerns about the government’s motives and suggest potential political vendetta aimed at silencing dissent. These incidents represent a severe abuse of state power, undermining justice and fairness, reads the letter.
Rabi Lamichhane founded the Rastriya Swatantra Party in 2022, just before the general elections. The party quickly gained popularity, posing a significant challenge to Nepal’s traditional political forces.
The current allegations and controversies surrounding Lamichhane highlight the tensions between Nepal’s emerging political movements and its entrenched political establishment, claim the party leaders.
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