Kathmandu, August 28
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has told the government of Nepal to remove all existing obstacles that hinder victims of torture and forced labour in filing complaints.
The committee’s decision came in response to an individual complaint from a member of an indigenous group who was a domestic worker in Kathmandu from the age of 9, the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights says in a statement.
The person was forced to work every day from 4 am until 10 pm, not allowed to go to school and never received payment for his work, the statement reads, adding, “He was also subjected to physical and psychological abuse. After two years, he escaped, but soon thereafter was falsely accused of theft by his former master, arrested and tortured during police interrogation.”
After the victim was tortured by police instead of getting justice, the family had approached a Swiss NGO in Nepal named TRIAL International, which forwarded the case to the UN.
Meanwhile, the UN body says, “Nepal violated a number of provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” and called on Nepal to amend its legislation and statutes of limitations in accordance with international standards and to criminalise torture and slavery with sanctions and remedies commensurate with the gravity of such crimes.
“The life of someone is shattered after enduring torture and forced labour as a child. Access to justice and accountability are essential for victims to rebuild their lives and recover their dignity. It is our hope that Nepal will take all necessary measures to protect and help victims of such acts regain their lives,” Hélène Trigroudja, a member of the committee, has been quoted.
Meanwhile, the UN has asked Nepal to report back to it within 180 days about the decision.
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