In April, at least two people were killed and more than a dozen injured in remote parts of the country as the Maoists political wing enforced a general strike. In a common practice, police arrested more than 1,000 people before the strike on the grounds of trying to prevent violence. The Supreme Court is independent but politicians reportedly manipulate lower courts. The judiciary is reportedly rife with corruption. Many courts lack funds for legal texts and other basic resources.
Prison conditions are life-threatening.
Human rights practices have improved considerably since the end of the absolute monarchy, but the rule of law is weak and serious problems remain. May. Amnesty reported that police often carried out extrajudicial killings as an alternative to arrest, and that many civilians had been killed. The 1970 Public Offenses and Penalties Act grants the 75 chief district officers powers to detain suspects for 25 days pending investigation. In February, police shot dead three men in the Salyan district for contesting orders to disperse a public event. The Constitution restricts expression that could jeopardize national security, promote communal discord, or do harm in other broadly defined areas.