§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on human rights in Nepal. [135193]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe remain seriously concerned about continued violations of human rights by both the Nepalese security forces and the Maoist insurgents.
There has been some encouraging progress this year, in particular during the ceasefire which held from January to August. We welcomed, for example, the formation of a Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) human rights cell to monitor and investigate reported human rights violations, and the first ever courts martial for human rights abuses. Reports of violations on both sides went down during the ceasefire.
289WRegrettably, however, credible reports of human rights violations have continued to be received, and have increased since the ceasefire broke down. These reports implicate the security forces in serious abuses such as illegal detentions, torture, disappearances, and summary executions (the Ramechhap incident as reported by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a particular example), and point to a residual culture of impunity in some elements in the security forces. We are pressing hard for these matters to be investigated thoroughly and for those responsible to be held to account. There is also clear evidence of Maoist abuses, including public torture and executions.
The UK is actively involved in encouraging greater respect for human rights, including through political pressure; human rights training for the security forces; and support for the National Human Rights Commission, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and civil society. A human rights Code of Conduct applicable to both sides would be a key element in any resumed peace process.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether Nepal is a safe country for the return of refugees. [135194]
§ Mr. MacShaneAsylum applications from Nepal—as with other countries—are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. In reaching decisions on individual cases, the Home Office—the Department responsible for considering these applications—takes full account of objective country information about the situation in Nepal. This would include information regularly provided by officials. An individual recognised as a genuine refugee from Nepal would not be made to return.