Nepal unrest hits LGBT communities
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Tuesday 19 April, 2005 12:46 | More from this date | Today's headlines

Ongoing civil unrest in Nepal is hitting the country's minority communities hardest, according to an international civil rights group, with LGBT people subjected to beatings and police brutality.

The warning comes from the Human Rights Watch today, which released a statement today detailing how a group of transgendered people were assaulted by police and blocked from reporting their attacks.

HRW draws direct links between the latest abuses and the decision made by King Gyanendra to seize direct power and suspend civil liberties in February.

Since then, police have become increasingly brutal with all Nepalese citizens, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

The latest attacks took place on April 13th, when a group of transgendered people were celebrating the country's New Year's Eve.

According to a HRW report, 18 metis - as transgendered people are known in Nepal - were attacked on their way to a festival in Kathmandu. Nine were "severely beaten" with batons, gun butts and sticks.

After the beating, they were refused entry into the police station to report the crimes and have only had their assaults recorded after receiving treatment in hospital.

HRW's Scott Long says this latest attack is the "latest of a string of police assaults".

“In a country where political and civil rights have been suspended, the violence sends a message that no one who looks or acts differently can feel safe,” he said.

He says that recent attempts to shut down gay rights groups illustrate the attitude of Nepal officials to sexual diversity.

The country's Blue Diamond Society, which has relayed information of attacks on LGBT people to the international media, is currently battling a proposed court ban.

A lawyer asked the government to shut the group down since homosexuality is still illegal in the country's legislation. Despite the government bowing to international pressure and pledging not to shut the group down, the Blue Diamond Society is still facing a court battle.

The next hearing is scheduled for May 10th.

“The attempt to shut down the Blue Diamond Society was an early warning of the pattern that is now evident – to effect a comprehensive crackdown on civil society in Nepal,” said Long.

“The government must restore civil liberties and respect everyone’s rights to freedom of expression and association.”