Rights against Torture in Nepal

Torture is a serious human rights problem in the world. Despite the absolute prohibition under the Convention against Torture (cat) and other international law, torture is still practiced in many parts of the world. The widespread prevalence of torture is a source of concern. Nepal is a party to the cat. The Interim Constitution of Nepal guarantees the rights against torture as fundamental rights. However, reports from various organisations provide chilling records and case studies about the widespread use of torture. The increasing link between national and international human rights organisations put pressure to the government to cease torture in practice. Strong political commitment, anti-torture measures along with addressing root-causes of torture are essential to protect the right to freedom from torture. This article examines the complexity of commitment and practical implementation of the cat in the least developed country of Nepal. The aim of the article is to contribute to reforming the normative framework and to make the government accountable for the prevention of torture.