Nepal rights commission holds Oli, ministers responsible for September violence

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission has formally implicated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and several high-ranking officials in gross human rights violations during the September Gen Z protests. The commission submitted its findings and recommendations to the government on Wednesday, proposing necessary actions against 13 individuals and further investigations into 52 others.

Among those implicated are former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and former minister for communications and information technology Prithvi Subba Gurung. The commission also recommended action against former Inspector General of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung, former Inspector General of the Armed Police Force Raju Aryal, and former chief of the National Investigation Department Hut Raj Thapa. These recommendations are based on constitutional provisions allowing for legal action against human rights violators.

The commission's report, prepared by an investigation committee led by NHRC member Lily Thapa, suggests that the incidents on September 8-9 were organized criminal acts executed according to a plan. It recommended that most of these incidents be treated as criminal offenses and investigated accordingly. The commission also called for an investigation into security personnel who opened fire during the unrest.

Furthermore, the commission directed the government to maintain records of those found responsible, potentially barring them from holding public office or government positions in the future. The report highlighted that Nepal's current legal framework lacks specific provisions to prosecute human rights violations and crimes against humanity, urging the government to formulate relevant laws.

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The nature and condition of the September 9 incidents demonstrate that they occurred simultaneously across the country with a single objective. There appears to be no reason to disagree with the investigation committee’s conclusion that these incidents were organised criminal acts executed according to a plan.