Posted by: alternate January 10, 2013
Col. Kumar Lama case and Nepal's sovereignty
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As had been noted in different media, there is a provision of Universal Jurisdiction in the UK which has been recently passed and rarely used.  http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/press-releases/moj/pressrelease150911a

It is understandable why many countries including U.S. are opposed to Universal Jurisdiction (most of the nations opposing are countries with poor human rights record). They fear they could be detained and prosecuted while on a foreign soil or could be tried in absence. This is nothing but a copout. Although there are international tribunals that look only into serious cases of human rights violence, they are very slow in delivering justice.

If the judiciary in all countries were powerful and efficient, you would hardly have a case for a tribunal or implementation of UJ. Alas! it’s not the case right now; hence a need of UJ.

Re Kumar Lama, Nepal government needs to provide him logistics support just like it would support other citizen. They failed at home to prosecute individuals who committed crime at home. I don’t see a moral standing of this government to preemptively defend the allegation of human right violence because they know they are next.

I only hope he gets a fair trial. 

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