Letter from IPPNW

IPPNW calls for release of peace and pro-democracy activists in Nepal

January 19, 2006

To:

H. E. Mr. Madhu Raman Acharya
Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Nepal
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Nepal to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue, Suite 17B
New York, NY 10017

 
 
Dear Mr. Acharya,

 
We are distressed to learn of the arrests of Professor Mathura Shrestha, Dr. Devendra Raj Panday, Krishna Pahadi, and others who have been participating in pro-democracy activities in Nepal. Prof. Shrestha, among his other distinguished roles in civil society, has been a prominent leader in International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.

We have been informed that Prof. Shrestha and his colleagues were arrested without proper warrants and that their families have not been told of their whereabouts and are deeply concerned for their safety and well being.

We urge the government of Nepal to guarantee the safety of Prof. Shrestha and all those who were arrested with him while they are under detention, and to ensure that they will receive due process under the laws of Nepal and under the norms established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unless they are to be charged and prosecuted for a specific crime, we call for their release and return to their families.

We request that you provide us with information about the reasons for these arrests, the nature of the infractions with which Prof. Shrestha and the others are being charged, and the steps the government will take to ensure their safety while they remain in custody.

Respectfully,

Gunnar Westberg                    Ronald S. McCoy
Co-President                           Co-President

Lars Pohlmeier                        Michael Christ
Chair, Board of Directors          Executive Director