Health professionals and medical students under threat in Nepal







According to reliable sources In April 2006, the government of Nepal arrested 7 physicians - Dr Mahesh Maskey, Dr Sharad Onta, Dr Saroj Dhital, Dr Bharat Pradhan, Dr Bidur Osti (members of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Nepal , Dr Sunder Mani Dixit, Dr Madhu Ghimire for peacefully protesting the autocratic actions of the Nepali regime, defying the imposed curfew. They have been detained for at least 3 months. Dr Mathura Prasad Shrestha, President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Nepal has been in detention for the last 2 months in Nepal on frivolous charges.







A few days earlier 20 medical students were arrested while they were in peaceful demonstration. Later that night around 30 armed police backed by the Royal Nepalese Army entered the hostel of the premier medical institution in Nepal Tribhuwan Institute Teaching Hospital and tortured and terrorised 20 medical students and a doctor. Health professionals have also been threatened for treating the people injured during the protests.



At this critical time, the life of doctors and other health professionals is under threat and we are seeking support from all quarters to ensure their safety and immediate release.



























Your Excellency,







We respectfully call on you to release the doctors in your detention immediately as their detention is a serious violation of international human rights.







These doctors are dedicated professionals; working to improve the lives of many in Nepal and their arrests threatens the general health of Nepalis. According to reliable sources, they were arrested in April 2006 while taking part in peaceful demonstrations. Medical students have also been beaten up and doctor threatened for treating victims of the police brutalities. The detention of these doctors raises serious concerns for their rights and well-being. This shows that the health professionals and the medical students are under threat in the current situation in Nepal



Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights strictly prohibits the arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention without charge of all persons. Nepal is also party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and therefore bound by Article 9 prohibiting such arbitrary and unlawful arrest.







We maintain that these doctors civil and human rights have been severely violated and we fear for their safety and well being. We implore you to immediately focus your attention on this issue and release them. We thank you for your attention in this matter of human concern and look forward to your response reporting your action on this most urgent matter.