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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Burn violence survivors push for legal reform beyond acid attacks

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Survivors of burn violence in Nepal are advocating for legal reforms that specifically address their injuries, as current laws fail to provide adequate justice and compensation.
  • Victims like Sapana Tamang face immense physical and psychological trauma, prolonged medical treatment, and financial burdens without state support or legal recourse.
  • Advocates argue that Nepal's lack of a dedicated burn violence law leaves survivors in a vulnerable position, demanding punishments that reflect the severity of the crime and guaranteed medical care.

Sapana Tamang arrived in Kathmandu a decade ago seeking a better life, finding work and independence in a carpet factory. Her aspirations shattered when a male co-worker, after facing repeated rejections of his romantic advances, poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. She awoke in a hospital, her body engulfed in flames, suffering severe burn injuries.

One day, as I was trying to run away, he poured kerosene over my body. Then I caught fire. I don't know whether he used a matchstick or a lighter because I never saw it. When I regained consciousness, I was in hospital. My whole body felt like it was burning. I had suffered severe burn injuries.

— Sapana TamangRecounting the attack that left her with severe burn injuries.

More than a decade later, Tamang continues to undergo extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts and contracture release surgeries. The physical scars are accompanied by deep psychological trauma and significant financial strain from years of hospital visits. Despite her extensive injuries, authorities have repeatedly denied her claims for compensation and reimbursement, demanding proof of deliberate attack.

My body is covered in burns. I have injuries. I have been receiving treatment for years. Aren't my injuries proof enough? Even now, they tell me to bring proof that someone set me alight. In my situation, what greater evidence could there possibly be?

— Sapana TamangExpressing frustration with authorities demanding further proof of the attack.

Tamang believes justice has been elusive due to Nepal's absence of specific legislation for burn violence. "When someone is burned, the suffering is not only physical. The mental trauma is unbearable, too," she stated. She advocates for a law that specifically addresses burn injuries, mandates punishments fitting the crime's seriousness, and guarantees state-provided treatment and compensation, arguing that her lifelong injuries should be sufficient evidence of a crime.

When someone is burned, the suffering is not only physical. The mental trauma is unbearable, too. Treatment costs millions of rupees. But the state provides neither treatment expenses nor compensation. There should be a law specifically addressing crimes involving burn injuries, with punishments that reflect the seriousness of the offence. The law should also guarantee treatment

— Sapana TamangAdvocating for specific legal measures and state support for burn violence survivors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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