Kathmandu, Dec 23, 2019 : The second national conference of police investigation officers and prosecutors concluded here today, emphasizing on the need of joint efforts for making the crime investigation effective.
The conference that convened from December 4 through 22 in Kathmandu issued a 33-point Declaration expressing commitment to fulfill the national mission of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’ by making the crime investigation effective.
The conference also reviewed the Declaration passed by the first conference three years back, reiterating on coordination and collaboration in the investigation and prosecution in order to make both objective and based on scientific evidence.
Police investigators and the government attorneys or prosecutors will join hands and actively engaged in the implementation of the various criminal laws including the Civil Code (2074 BS), Civil Criminal Code Procedure (2074 BS) and the Criminal Offence Act 2074 BS.
The conference has expected the positive cooperation as well from all sides concerned including the victims of crime, witnesses, civil society, evidence examination agencies. It has pointed out the need of reviewing the existing Evidence Act to make it abreast of the present legal framework following the enactment of the new Civil Code and associated laws.
It is stated in the Declaration that the right to individual freedom and privacy would be strictly adhered to on the topic of collecting evidences that are adopted for investigating the heinous, organized and complicated crimes.
The conference has also expressed the hope that arrangements would be made for providing appropriate allowances to the human resources engaged in crime investigation based on the time they have to work and the risk.
It called on the government to allocate the required budget for the expansion of the forensic laboratory. It likewise called on the government to build the infrastructures for reformatory arrangements like community service, open prison, weekend custody, labour custody and night time imprisonment.
The conference has expressed high commitment for the implementation of the principles of juvenile justice included in the Act Related to Children, 2075 BS, in the context of Nepal’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on Child Rights.
It has felt the need of making the implementation of the laws against crimes as rape, human trafficking and chemical attack more effective by showing special sensitiveness to any particular incident as well that might have an adverse impact on the entire state system.
The Declaration also states that the victims of caste discrimination and practice of untouchability and evil social practices as witchery and chhaupadi which have been criminalized shall be given justice on the basis of objective evidence.
Proper publicity of the legal provisions would be made in society to translate them into practice.
The conference has also demanded that the State should accord special priority to combat and eliminate the inter-country organized crime that is growing day by day in society. It has pointed out the need of increasing the number and the quality of the human resources working in crime investigation and prosecution in the context of expansion in the number and forms of crime.
It also suggested making provision for keeping attachés including investigation officer and prosecutor at Nepal’s foreign missions to investigate into crimes directed against the Nepalis working and living abroad and bringing such possible crimes within the purview of law.
The conference also suggested for making provision by which the District Court will be able to hear cases related to banking crimes also in the context of increase in the incidents of banking crime day after day.
The Declaration emphasized on the need of regulation for minimizing the crimes that are rising through the social sites.
It calls for expanding the capacity of prisons as well. Stating that the justice administration would be effective and efficient if the crime investigation, prosecution and adjudication of justice could be connected online, the Declaration stressed that it is the responsibility of the State to ensure the crime victim’s right to justice. A directive should be prepared for determining the compensation to the victims.
Inspector General of Police Sarbendra Khanal underlined the need of implementing the Declaration to enhance the State’s capacity in justice administration. He opined that the victims will get the justice only when the police investigation and the justice administration were prompt, credible and efficient.
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