13/06/2013 Joint Urgent Appeal by the the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences. We would like to draw the attention of your Excellency's Government to information we have received regarding the violent dispersal by law enforcement authorities of peaceful demonstrations organized by Kamlari activists, with a view to ensuring accountability for the killing of a 12-year old Kamlari girl in Dang in March 2013, and protesting more generally against the Kamaiya traditional system of bonded labour in place in several parts of Nepal. According to the information received: From 31 May to 2 June 2013, around 60 freed Kamlaris were reportedly holding a peaceful sit-in protest in front of the southern gate of the Singh Durbar, the Chief Administrative Center in Kathmandu, when they were violently dispersed by the police. According to reports, police officers beat the protestors with batons, punched and kicked them, causing serious injuries to their heads, arms, and shoulders. 10 protestors reportedly fell unconscious, and 8 sustained minor injuries who were treated in different hospitals. It is further reported that 8 female protestors were sexually assaulted by police forces who beat them on their breasts and genitals. 42 protestors were arrested in the course of the police operation, and released after five hours . It is also reported that some police officers stole money and jewelries from the protestors. On 3 June 2013, police forces brutally dispersed a peaceful protest by Kamlari activists in Dang. Four activists lost consciousness, and others were severely injured. On 4 June 2013, three and six Kamlari protestors were reportedly injured by the police in Kailai and Kanchanpur respectively when the police dispersed peaceful demonstrations in which they were taking part. 50 protestors were arrested in Kanchanpur, and subsequently released in the evening. Grave concerns are expressed that the excessive use of force against, and the arrest and detention of, peaceful Kamlari protestors may be linked to their legitimate human rights activities, in the exercise of their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of opinion and expression. Further concerns are expressed for the physical and psychological integrity of Kamlari activists, in particular women defenders, who continue protesting throughout the country.