Supreme Court Reserves Verdict on 'War Crimes' Case Against Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai
Summary
The Supreme Court of Nepal has reserved its verdict on a writ petition accusing former Prime Ministers Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai of war crimes related to the recruitment of child soldiers during the Maoist war.
Key Points
- A writ petition accusing former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai of war crimes has been heard by a Supreme Court full bench.
- The petition was filed by former child soldier Lenin Bist and others alleging recruitment of child soldiers during the Maoist conflict.
- The writ demands investigation and prosecution under international humanitarian law for recruitment of child soldiers.
- If domestic justice mechanisms fail, the petition asks for a special international tribunal in coordination with the United Nations to handle the case.
