Posted on 08/02/2005 9:24:33 PM PDT by minus_273
A new phenomenon in Nepal - village vigilante groups, known as village defence forces, to fight against Maoist rebels - has caused an overall escalation in violence there, Amnesty International says.
Many villagers are angry at the Maoist rebels A new report by the human rights group criticises the government of Nepal for supporting these armed civilian groups.
But Nepal's home minister told the BBC there was nothing wrong with them, describing them as self-defence.
In its report, Amnesty International says it is alarmed, accusing these forces of being responsible for a growing number of human rights abuses.
The forces are also, it says, putting more civilians at risk because Maoist rebels consider them a legitimate target.
Some villagers quoted in the report said they were compelled to join defence forces and beaten or accused of being Maoist sympathisers if they refused.
One researcher described villagers he met as "absolutely terrified".
Patrols and searches
Some forces just act as guards, but others engage in active military-style patrols and search people's homes at night.
The Amnesty report says there is ample evidence the Nepalese government is giving them practical help, including military training.
Nepal's home affairs minister told the BBC that was not true - but he did defend the idea of the defence forces.
He supported them, he said, as a form of self-defence at this time of insurgency because government security forces simply did not have the resources to protect every village.
Concerns about these groups first surfaced last February when members of one village defence force killed 12 men accused of being Maoists.
There were also reports a 12-year-old girl was raped during the violence and many nearby homes destroyed.
Amnesty International is now calling on the government to incorporate village volunteers into the police or military and to ban these armed civilian groups
Amnesty International shows its true colors.
the logic is fantastic. Maoists kill people but if they fight back, it puts them at risk because they might come and kill them. therefore they must stop fighting to that the maoists can come and kill them.
Prevent violence: Lay down, and die quietly. Gosh, sounds wonderful, IF YOUR'RE THE ONE DOING THE KILLING!
Concerns about these groups first surfaced last February when members of one village defence force killed 12 men accused of being Maoists.
There were also reports a 12-year-old girl was raped during the violence and many nearby homes destroyed.
Amnesty International is now calling on the government to incorporate village volunteers into the police or military and to ban these armed civilian groups
So, they are thugs, if they are civilians; but it is OK if they put on a badge or uniform?
But, what about the "Maoist" thugs; whose police force or army are they supposed to join to legitamize their murders, kidnappings, arsons, robberies, etc?
Many of those villagers may be ex Gurka soldiers, bad for the maoist.
Quite an oxymoron you pointed out there. Also, I am wondering when AI changed from simply exposing human rights abuses to global policy-making??? They will probably ask for a seat at the UN soon.
I spit on Amnesty International....
I used to support them .
Some time ago I ripped all their decals
off and sent the pieces back to them
along with a letter of condemnation.
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