Active Urgent Action Appeals (UA's), for which Amnesty requests letters to be sent on behalf of the victims, are listed first. But the closed UA's should also be read by those seeking an understanding of the grim realities. Some are closed because of release from imprisonment, but others close in confirmation of death in custody. Some close because a disappeared person is finally located in a jail, and perhaps even formally charged. But although this ends UA status, it does not end likelihood of torture and abuse. Collectively these documents display many of the common patterns of gross human rights violations being perpetrated by the security forces of Nepal

"Acting with impunity" is a phrase all human rights organizations use to describe the security forces of Nepal. Along with impunity goes the ability to hide crimes: By burning bodies and keeping reporters and human rights investigators away - or arresting them. By shifting political prisoners when the International Committee of the Red Cross comes to inspect. By shunting relatives, lawyers, human rights activists and politicians who seek information on the disappeared from police to army to police to army, and denying any knowledge of them. By issuing assurances that commissions are being formed, trainings embarked upon, "sensitivity" increased. Assurances which the "international community" can then point to while drawing up arms sales contracts. By silencing locals. By treating as "terrorist" the act of criticizing security force conduct (under the Terrorist and Destructive Crimes Act, to cause fear or unease among the public is classified as a terrorist act).

Amnesty necessarily requires high standards of verification before it issues a UA. And it must do so in order to preserve its credibility. In situations like the one prevailing in Nepal, where the security forces are acting with impunity, the cases Amnesty documents represent just the tip of the iceberg. Know that there are hundreds more like the cases described on these pages. Those who have talked to, or who are, survivors know. The perpetrators know. You should know too. As in all too many US-supported counter-insurgency wars, there should be a permanent Urgent Action Appeal for the disappeared truth in Nepal.

We thank Amnesty for its work on behalf of Nepali victims of both sides of this conflict, and for allowing the posting of Nepal Urgent Action Appeals on this site.