Threats against the life of Mr. Jitman Basnet Nepalese Human Rights Defender

21 Aug 2007

Jitman Basnet is a human rights defender working on the issue of forced disappearance in Nepal. He is the author of a book titled “ Andhyara 258 Din” (258 Dark days) which recounts his story of being detained and disappeared for nearly 260 days by the then “Royal Nepalese Army”. After the publication of his book and subsequent interview on Nepal FM, 20 May 2007 he received a threatening phone call from an unknown person saying “you are becoming hero by publishing the book” “you will get results of your work soon”. The call was made from a public telephone.

This case is the subject of an urgent action by the FIDH-OMCT Observatory ref: NPL 001 / 0507 / OBS 056, Threats / Harassment, Nepal, May 31, 2007

After 2 months on 7th August 2007 he received another threatening call, later identified as coming from public telephone, no. 4216323 by an unknown female saying “your sick relative is here, come to see her” Again on 11th August 2007 he got another threatening call via public telephone, no 4467903 repeating the same message but this time a different voice. When Mr. Basnet asked her name the woman making the call then told him “you are going to be killed, we will also kill your wife”, “why do you need my name?”

On 18th August 2007 Mr. Basnet received a call from a person who identified themselves as Khadga Mahato and then subsequently as Mahat. Though no explicit threat was made the caller identified themselves as one of the persons named in Mr. Basnet’s book and said “ I have tried several times to contact you but you were in Delhi” then after Mr. Basnet did not identify himself the caller said, “ I need to talk with him [Basnet] can you tell him to call me back”.

On the 27th August 2006 Jitman filed a case in the Supreme Court for requesting the creation of a high level commission to investigate the case of Nepal’s disappeared people, to prevent army officials suspected of past human rights violations from traveling abroad and to suspend all those suspected of human rights violations. This case is going to be heard on the 5th October 2007.

In addition in a recent interview with Protection Desk Nepal Mr. Basnet mentioned his book is currently being translated into other languages.

Mr. Basnet has registered a petition in Tinkune police station, Kathmandu ref: 80/13/08/2007 stating the nature of the threats he has received. He has also shared this information with national and international human rights organizations.

Protection Desk Nepal is concerned for the safety and physical integrity of Mr. Jitman Basnet and his family and calls on the Government of Nepal to:

To ensure that a full and impartial investigation is carried out into the source of the threats that Mr. Basnet has been receiving and that those found guilty are punished according to Nepalese law

EU and its Member states to:

• To reiterate to the Nepalese State that as a party to the UN Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms it is obligated to provide protection to Mr. Basnet and guarantees for his physical and psychological integrity.

• Ensure, in line with EU guidelines on HRDs, that Mr. Jitman Basnet is provided with the support and protection of the EU and its Members States including if necessary providing him with accompaniment before, during and after the Supreme Court hearing.