TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 152

CONFIDENTIAL

NEPAL

Report by HM Embassy, Kathmandu

Right No.

Rating suggested by Post

2

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

We have no evidence of unlawful imprisonment but a Public Security Act gives the Government extensive powers of detention for up to three years. No such order can be questioned in a court of law. About 50-100 people (one in 130,000 of the population) are at present detained; the number has decreased over the past year.

There are stories of harsh treatment by the police in interrogating suspects and witnesses. Most Nepalese find this unremarkable and recall much greater brutalities in the recent feudal past before 1950. In public the police show great tolerance. It is doubtful if they indulge in calculated torture.

There is no slavery.

Criticism of the administration is allowed but the monarchy and the political system (which is developing in a democratic direction but does not extend to such institutions as political parties) are sacrosanct. The press are strictly controlled and the Government have the right (not always used) to censor all material before publication.

4

5

ол

(v)

There is a well developed and independent judicial system much of it copied from Britain. It works well, if slowly.

1

(vi)

5

There are no trade unions as such. There is a Nepal Labour Organisation established by law, to which all workers may belong. Local units of the organi- sation negotiate pay and conditions of service; arbitration facilities are provided by the Government Department of Labour. Strikes and go-slows may take place after fifteen days notice.

CONFIDENTIAL

/(vii)

There