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13 Maoists charge-sheeted for war crimes in Nepal

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IANS Kathmandu
Last Updated : Apr 15 2014 | 8:55 PM IST

The Nepalese authorities Tuesday filed a charge-sheet against 13 Maoist cadres, holding them responsible for killing a youth in 2004 during the rebel-initiated civil conflict.

The 13 cadres were arrested after the parents of Krishna Prasad Adhikari, who was killed in Chitwan distict, staged a hunger strike for 171 days. Their condition is said to be critical.

The government has initiated the setting up of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to dig into human rights violations during the decade long civil conflict (1996-2006) in which more than 13,000 people were killed.

The UN Human Rights Council has prepared a profile of 9,000 cases of human rights abuses during the decade-long conflict by both the state and Maoists.

The Maoists have warned they will disrupt parliament until the charge sheet is withdrawn.

The party also boycotted the all-party meet called by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala Tuesday.

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"The government will not interfere with the court's proceedings. So chances of withdrawing the cases against the Maoist cadres is slim," said Bimalendra Nidhi, minister for physical infrastructure and transportation.

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has expressed concern over a bill presented in parliament which could lead to amnesty even for serious human rights violations.

"While I welcome steps taken by the government of Nepal to take the transitional justice process forward, I am extremely concerned by its new attempt to introduce amnesty for serious human rights violations.

"Such amnesty not only violates core principles under international law but would also weaken the foundation for a genuine and lasting peace in Nepal," Pillay said in a statement issued Tuesday.

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First Published: Apr 15 2014 | 8:52 PM IST

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