Tuesday, December 15, 2009...6:46 am

Army Demonstrates Lack of Civilian Supremacy

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One would think that in the midst of nationwide protests conducted under the auspice of upholding “Civilian Supremacy” the Nepal Army would show more tact than to flagrantly disregard civilian authority by refusing a request from the police.

It would seem that the army anticipates little threat from a movement centered around what may have become just another Maoist slogan. Of course, if there is one thing the (Royal) Nepal Army has been particularly bad at in the past, it’s anticipating political consequences of it’s actions.

I hope this action at least generates outrage on the part of more than just a few civil rights organizations.

Army gets ICJ flack

KATHMANDU, DEC 14 – The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on Monday said that the Nepal Army’s refusal to hand over Maj. Niranjan Basnet to police “obstructed the course of justice”.

Maj. Basnet was expelled from the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Chad for his alleged role in the killing of 15-year-old Maina Sunuwar on Feb. 17, 2004. Maj. Basnet arrived in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon, but the Army personnel took him under control right from the airport.

On Saturday, the prime minister had directed the Defence Ministry to hand over the accused to police. The Army has not handed over Basnet despite a formal request from police. “The Army’s actions will reflect how seriously it treats UN human rights concerns that led to Maj. Basnet’s withdrawal,” said ICJ Asia Pacific Director Roger Normand in a statement on Monday.

The international community has been closely observing this emblematic case. “Maina’s case can set a precedent for bringing all such serious crimes into the criminal justice system,” said ICJ Legal Adviser in Nepal Govinda Sharma Bandi.

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