CCPR/C/126/D/2560/2015
7.9
The Committee also recalls that, under article 2 (3) of the Covenant, States parties
must ensure that all persons have accessible, effective and enforceable remedies in order to
claim the rights enshrined in the Covenant. The Committee further recalls its general
comment No. 31 (2004) on the nature of the general legal obligation imposed on States
parties to the Covenant, particularly the fact that, when investigations reveal violations of
certain Covenant rights, States parties must ensure that those responsible are brought to
justice. As with the failure to investigate, the failure to bring to justice perpetrators of such
violations could in and of itself give rise to a separate breach of the Covenant. Those
obligations arise notably in respect of violations recognized as criminal under either
domestic or international law, such as torture and similar cruel, inhuman and degrading
treatment, and summary and arbitrary killing. 14
7.10 The Committee takes note of the writ submitted to the Supreme Court and filed on
behalf of 34 disappeared persons, including Amrit Kandel, demanding that the status of
those disappeared be made public. The Committee also takes note of the judgment of the
Supreme Court of 1 June 2007 ordering the Government to investigate the status of those
disappeared, to hold the perpetrators accountable and to provide reparation to the relatives
of the victims. It further takes note that the State party has not enforced the judgment,
arguing that the authors should register the complaint regarding the disappearance of Amrit
Kandel with the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons and that
the authorities would take legal action against those involved in the offence upon the
recommendation of the Commission.
7.11 Despite the efforts made by Amrit Kandel’s family, no investigation has been
concluded by the State party in order to establish the circumstances surrounding the arrest,
detention and enforced disappearance of Amrit Kandel and no perpetrator has been tried
and punished. The State party has not clarified why no such investigation has yet taken
place or why there has been a delay in carrying out such an investigation.
7.12 Accordingly, the Committee considers that the State party has failed to conduct a
prompt, thorough and effective investigation into the circumstances of the arrest, detention
and enforced disappearance of Amrit Kandel, in violation of article 6, read in conjunction
with article 2 (3) of the Covenant.
7.13 The Committee notes the authors’ argument that Amrit Kandel’s arbitrary detention
and his subsequent enforced disappearance amount, in and of itself, to treatment contrary to
article 7. The Committee recognizes the degree of suffering involved in being held
indefinitely without contact with the outside world. The Committee takes notes of the
authors’ allegations that the overall conditions of detention at Bhairabanath Battalion
barracks, Maharajgunj (2003–2004), which included interrogations under duress and the
use of electric shocks, amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Moreover, it
notes that Ramhari Kandel saw that Amrit Kandel’s body was swollen and covered with
bruises from being beaten. As the State party denies the arrest and does not provide any
evidence to clarify the facts regarding Amrit Kandel’s treatment in detention, the
Committee finds that his enforced disappearance and treatment while in detention constitute
a violation of article 7 of the Covenant. Having reached that conclusion, the Committee will
not examine the claims regarding the violation of article 10 (1) of the Covenant for the
same facts.
7.14 The Committee notes the anguish and distress caused to the authors and their family
by the disappearance of Amrit Kandel; the continuing and prolonged uncertainty
surrounding the circumstances of his arrest and detention; that Amrit Kandel’s release
could not be secured by his relatives; and that the authors knew that no investigation was
being carried out and that no one was being held accountable for Amrit Kandel’s
disappearance. The Committee considers that these facts reveal a violation of article 7 with
respect to the authors of the present communication.
7.15 The Committee takes note of the authors’ allegation of a violation of article 9 of the
Covenant because Amrit Kandel was deprived of his liberty on 10 October 2003 and was
not presented with a warrant at the time of his arrest. No legal grounds were provided for
14
See the Committee’s general comment No. 31, para. 18.
11