The Nepali government's decision to promote an army colonel accused of war crimes has come under criticism by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists earlier this week.

Raju Basnet is accused of commanding troops who used systematic torture and enforced disappearances in 2003, with evidence compiled by the UN and Nepali National Human Rights Commission. This included allegations that Basnet himself was personally involved in acts of torture.

Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch said,

“Nepal’s cabinet has thrown the entire idea of holding soldiers accountable for abuses out the door... This cynical and reprehensible decision seriously undermines respect for human rights and contradicts Nepal’s assurances to the international community that it would hold those implicated in wartime crimes to account."

“Nepali civil society, with support from the UN and the international community, has spent years seeking to promote justice and accountability.

By promoting Col. Basnet, the government has sent a clear signal to the Nepali people and the country’s international supporters that it not committed to these same goals.”

Polly Truscott, Amnesty International’s South Asia director, also commented,

“Despite years of promises, the Maoists and the army have shown themselves united in one crucial aspect: contempt for the notion of accountability for criminal acts and victims’ rights to justice, truth, and reparation.”