We condemn the government decision of the ministry cabinet on 18 May to withdraw cases of five hundred people including those charged under criminal activities during Tharuhat/Madhes agitation. The cabinet meeting has decided to withdraw the serious cases accepting that of Tharuhat and Madhes agitation is political.  The government has decided to withdraw the case of criminals involved in killing of eight policemen including one SSP on 24 August 2015 during Tharuhat/Madhesi agitation in Tikapur of Kailali and the case of violent killing of ASI of armed police force by cadres of Madhesi Morcha by dragging him out from the ambulance while he was on the way for treatment in Jaleshwor.

The verdict of Supreme Court on 14 January 2016 has described to adopt certain legal criteria before withdrawing the case.

The trend of protecting their cadres involved in a serious crime by the political parties will obstruct the attempt to address impunity. It has been an ill-culture in Nepalese politics to protect their cadres involved in criminal activities, after reaching to power. Almost all the political parties are motivated in withdrawing the cases after the establishment of democracy, only the difference is the intensity of level. If we critically see the issue of case withdraw, the dacoits, buglers, abductor and criminals have become political cadres.

Such deeds for the vested interest of power will further encourage the culture of impunity. This decision of withdrawing case will weaken the democracy and motivate impunity. This decision of the government might be the step for some political party to reach into power, but such decision will kill the justice and frustrate the victim. We would like to draw the attention that such issue of human rights, rule of law and impunity are being deeply observed internationally. We demand the government to ensure the rule of law by immediately rolling back their decision for the protection of human rights.

Subodh Raj Pyakurel

Chairman

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