For the Record, Press statement from OHCHR Nepal: OHCHR-Nepal insists on full investigation of Maina Sunuwar following exhumation of remains
A team from OHCHR-Nepal on Friday (March 23) monitored the exhumation of the remains thought to be those of Maina Sunuwar, the 15-year-old girl who was allegedly tortured and died in the custody of the (Royal) Nepalese Army (NA) in February 2004. The team was accompanied by an international forensic expert, who assisted forensic pathologists from the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Teaching Hospital in the exhumation after an offical request was received.
The remains were exhumed from the grounds of the NA’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal, Kavre District, where military personnel are trained before being deployed on UN peacekeeping missions.
The exhumation marks a crucial step in the criminal investigation launched by police into the girl’s death, which has been stalled for many months due to the NA challenging the jurisdiction of civilian authorities over the case as well as the reluctance of authorities to proceed with an investigation.
As part of a court martial, the NA in September 2005 found three military personnel guilty of failing to dispose of the body properly. However, details regarding the court martial and the NA’s court of inquiry investigation that preceded it have never been made public. The NA has also failed to provide court of inquiry and court martial documentation to OHCHR despite repeated requests.
While the exhumation is a positive development, it is essential that police complete a thorough investigation, with full cooperation from the NA. During her visit to Nepal in January, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, received assurances from the NA Chief of Staff and the Home Minister that an investigation would be carried out without delay.
“The exhumation Friday of remains thought to be those of Maina Sunuwar marks a crucial step forward in the quest for justice for her alleged torture and death. A full criminal investigation by police must now proceed to determine who was responsible and to hold them fully accountable,” said Sandra Beidas Officer In Charge of OHCHR-Nepal.
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2 responses to “OHCHR Nepal On Maina Sunuwar Case”
dear sir madam,
wher is she now? how often we have to loss our brothers and sisters like as maina sunuwar? why our country is just listning our voice only and not acting at all about this case ?
if she will not published by Nepal Army than this is out time to kill Nepalese Army and their sister and Brothers. so please published their Name and Rank who obtain to her.#
my name is kedar sunuwar . i am a researcher of HR IN NEPAL as known as kirant research team.
if you have any dought or enquire please do contact me on above email address
Plz, Re-edit ur report abt Maina sunuwar. I m Koits sunuwar. Main is not sunuwar. She is SUNAR. Sunar and Sunuwar are totally deferant Ethnic. Sunuwar is Indigenous people and Sunar is Dalit. In Nepal Go listed 59 Indigenous people and About Dalit Go had built a Commision for There whole development process. So without more re-sarch this caste name is published . By This Name all sunuwar group becoming confusion.