Rights activists protest appointment of Katawal
Twenty three human rights activists representing various human rights organizations have protested the government’s decision of promoting Lieutenant General Rukmangad Katawal to the post of acting Chief of the Army Staff.
Issuing a joint press statement, they have alleged that Katawal was involved in human rights violations when he was the chief of the mid-western regional headquarters of Nepali Army.
They alleged, “The promotion indicates that the government has a weak willpower to stop impunity.”
They have also demanded that the government respect human rights and rule of law by removing Katawal from responsibility.
Former members of National Human Rights Commission Sushil Pyakurel, Dr. Gauri Shankar Lal Das and rights activists Dr. Arjun Karki, Subodh Pyakurel, Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Mandira Sharma, Kunadan Aryal among others protested the appointement of Katawal.
The government on Monday appointed Katawal to the post of acting Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) of Nepal Army after the current chief General Pyar Jung Thapa went on a traditional month-long leave before his retirement.
Katuwal is one of the generals interrogated by the High Level Probe Commission for his alleged role in atrocities during the People’s movement. nepalnews.com pb Aug 16 06
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