US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU463

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000463 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND DRL 
LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY 
NSC FOR MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, MOPS, PTER, NP, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: NEPAL:  UPDATE ON HUMAN RIGHTS CASES 
 
REF: A. 03 KATHMANDU 1805 
     B. 03 KATHMANDU 2469 
     C. KATHMANDU 0063 
     D. KATHMANDU 0141 
 
1.  (U)  Summary:  On March 11 the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) 
announced that an RNA major will face a court-martial in an 
infamous case in which 19 suspected Maoists were allegedly 
extra-judicially killed in Doramba, Ramechhap District on 
August 17 (Ref A).  In addition, a warrant officer and a 
corporal have been sentenced to two years in prison and 
discharged from the RNA for their roles in the extra-judicial 
killings of three civilians in Khotang District on December 6 
(Ref C).  Another officer may face charges in the same case. 
End summary. 
 
2.  (U) On March 11 Col. Dipak Gurung, Royal Nepal Army (RNA) 
Spokesman, announced that the RNA had concluded its 
investigation into the August 17 incident in Doramba, 
Ramechhap, in which RNA soldiers allegedly summarily executed 
19 suspected Maoists (Ref A).  An RNA major who had been in 
command of the company that day is facing a court-martial for 
his involvement in the incident, Gurung confirmed. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Colonel Gurung also confirmed that a decision had 
been handed down in the courts-martial of RNA soldiers 
involved in the extra-judicial killings of three civilians in 
Diktel, Khotang District on December 6 (Ref C).  An RNA 
corporal and a warrant officer have both been sentenced to 
two years in jail and will be discharged from the Army, 
Gurung said.  According to Gurung, the corporal, who was a 
native of that locality, falsely accused the three civilians 
of being Maoists because of a long-standing personal grudge 
against them.  The officer in charge of the platoon, ignoring 
orders to conduct the search himself, sent his warrant 
officer out to apprehend the three.  The warrant officer 
reportedly ordered the three shot.  The corporal was 
convicted of giving false information, and the warrant 
officer of giving an unlawful order.  The RNA has recommended 
to the Cabinet that the officer face charges as well for 
failing to obey the order to lead the platoon, Gurung added, 
but the Cabinet has yet to act on that recommendation. 
 
4.  (SBU)  Comment:  The major in the Ramechhap incident is 
the highest-ranking--indeed, the only--RNA officer who has 
faced a court-martial for gross violations of human rights. 
While we are heartened that the RNA, after reviewing the case 
for six months, is taking action, much remains to be achieved 
in improving military discipline and accountability. 
MALINOWSKI