Between a Rock and a Hard Place:
Civilians Struggle to Survive in Nepal’s Civil War

I.Summary

Note on Methodology

II. Background

The Maoist Insurgency

Political Paralysis in Nepal

The International Community

III. International Legal Obligations

Nepal as an Internal Armed Conflict

Protections of International Humanitarian Law

Protections of Human Rights Law

Limits on the Use of Force

IV. Unlawful Killings and Summary Executions by Nepali Security Forces

V. Summary Executions of Civiliams by Maoist Forces

VI. Recruitment and Use of Children by Maoists

VII. Arbitrary Arrests and “Disappearances”

VIII. The Role of the International Community

Contrasting Approaches by the United States and the European Union

The International Community, Arms Supplies and Human Rights Abuses

IX. Recommendations

To the Government of Nepal

To the Leadership of CPN-Maoist

To the King

To States Providing Military Assistance to the Nepali Government

To Outside States, such as the U.S., U.K., the E.U., Switzerland, and India, and International Agencies, such as the U.N., and Donors

October 2004   Vol. 16, No. 12(C)