NHRC expresses dissatisfaction over clause of government surrender policy

The National Human Rights Commission has expressed dissatisfaction over a provision in the government’s recent Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2062, that allows the Maoists to surrender at NHRC premises.

The commission on Sunday forwarded a letter expressing its concern on the matter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Council of Ministers.

NHRC, in a letter to the government, said that facilitating Maoists who want to surrender, as mentioned in the policy endorsed recently by the government, does not fall within its jurisdiction, a press statement issued by the NHRC on Sunday said.

“The government’s decision of allowing the rebels to surrender and lay down their arms in our premises, as per the recently announced policy is not acceptable to us,” report quoted NHRC chairman Nain Bahadur Khatri as saying.

The policy’s seventh point has listed the NHRC as one of the places for the rebels to surrender.

According to the policy made public by Home Minister Kamal Thapa last week, Maoists can surrender before regional/zonal/district administration offices, RNA bases/barracks, security bases of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, temporary operation bases, mobile service of the government, Home/Defense Ministry and the NHRC.

The government, however, is yet to respond to the NHRC objection. nepalnews.com pb Mar 20 06

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