OSAC Country Security Report Nepal
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OSAC Country Security Report Nepal Last Updated: August 12, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should not travel to Nepal due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Nepal due to the potential for isolated political violence. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Nepal 85 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a Medium state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal. The crime emergency line in Nepal is 100. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Much of the criminal activity affecting Nepal is street crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing. Expatriates are potential targets due to their perceived wealth and possible lack of area expertise and security awareness. The welcoming and kind nature of Nepalis can often give people a false sense of security and make them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous actors. Burglary and violent crime (e.g., assault, murder) occasionally occur throughout the country. Firearms are not common, but criminals use them occasionally; the use of edged weapons and acts of physical assault are more common. While foreigners can be targets of violent crime, particularly in the common nightlife areas, travelers can manage most risk through good procedural and personal security practices. In recent years, there appears to have been an increase in traditional criminal activities by organized criminal gangs, such as smuggling and targeted assassinations of business or labor leaders. These activities usually target Nepali citizens and residents. Crime: Areas of Concern Areas associated with substantial tourist activity are also areas of concern for criminal activity, particularly in Kathmandu’s Thamel neighborhood, the city of Pokhara, and the Annapurna region. Adventure travel such as trekking, rafting, and climbing in the Himalayas has significant security and safety concerns due to the nature of the activities, the likelihood of isolation and the consistent lack of a timely emergency response. Opportunistic crime is also a concern. Travelers interested in engaging in adventure travel should only do so through reputable organized groups and/or reliable companies that provide an experienced guide and porters who can communicate in Nepali and English. Never trek alone. 1 Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit. Kidnapping Threat The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips. While kidnapping and human trafficking does occur in Nepal, these activities usually target Nepali citizens and residents. Drug Crime Despite strong legal provisions prohibiting drug consumption, possession, and transport, drugs are available openly in Kathmandu and throughout Nepal, especially in areas tourists frequent. Although Nepal is neither a significant producer nor a major transit route for narcotics, domestically produced cannabis, hashish, and heroin traffic through Nepal every year. Do not carry or store any packages from a stranger; there have been instances in which authorities arrested foreigners for possessing illegal substances after having accepted packages that concealed contraband material or drugs. Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information. Terrorism Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Nepal. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Nepal. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Terrorism Index 2020 ranks Nepal 27 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as having a Medium impact from terrorism. Terrorism: General Threat There are no reports of transnational terrorist organizations operating in Nepal. Terror attacks in Nepal have significantly reduced since the civil war ended in 2006. However, due to the open-border policy with India and few immigration controls, terrorists have used Nepal as a transit point in the past. Indigenous guerilla groups have been responsible for a number of terrorist acts in the past, many of which have relied on placements of small-scale improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Not all incidents have involved functional devices, with some appearing to have failed to detonate and others clearly built as hoaxes designed to spread fear or send a message. In 2019, domestic terror incidents included small bombings in various locations throughout the country, for which authorities blamed the Biplav Group. The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN, commonly known as “Biplav”) is a political faction that split from the former Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) in 2015. Authorities attributed 34 IEDs, 5 hoaxes, and 29 arson attacks to Biplav in 2019. During the 2019 by-elections, Biplav organized multiple nationwide protests, which were usually accompanied by IED attacks and other forms of violence. The use of explosives has been a common 2 tactic of political competition, workplace disputes, and extortion in Nepal. Attacks from Biplav are not likely to increase in the near future. After the uptick in violence in 2019, government efforts to neutralize the group reduced its capacity. In March 2021, the group signed a peace accord with the government, making further attacks unlikely, though Nepal’s political instability could weaken the hold of the agreement. Most IEDs do not appear to target maximizing deaths or injuries. Rather, the use of IEDs in Nepal is predominantly to damage property, detonating away from crowds and at off-hours. Future attacks are likely to remain focused on publicly accessible government and commercial infrastructure. However, three IED explosions in Kathmandu in May 2019 did result in several deaths and numerous injuries. Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kathmandu as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Elections/Political Stability The most recent 2019 by-elections saw limited and sporadic violence by groups opposing specific candidates or outcomes. While small and predominantly peaceful protest marches were most common during the pre-election period, larger demonstrations sponsored by political parties did occur. In addition, small IEDs detonated or were discovered throughout Election Day to disrupt polling station activities and suppress voter turnout in some districts. The Government of Nepal has experienced some significant political infighting amongst the established political parties in 2021. National elections have been called for fall of 2021. Visitors should anticipate frequent political rallies and large demonstrations in the pre-election period. Protest & Demonstration Activity While groups within Nepal will often call strikes known locally as bandhs in advance, protests, demonstrations, and disruptions can occur without notice. These large sit-down protest events have blocked major roads or intersections, paralyzing traffic. Demonstrators have occasionally attacked vehicles passing nearby. If sufficiently large enough, a bandh will force the closure of businesses and schools, and disrupt vehicular traffic throughout the area. A bandh will traditionally last from sunrise to sunset. Some groups enforce the observance of bandhs through violence and intimidation. Avoid vehicular travel through a bandh. Review OSAC’s report: Surviving a Protest. Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies The Nepal Police (NP) and the Armed Police Force (APF) are the primary police agencies. The NP wear blue marked uniforms and are routinely seen directing traffic and patrolling streets. They are the primary criminal investigative agency for law enforcement. The APF usually wear blue camouflage and are often seen providing security for government or critical infrastructure facilities. The APF would be the responding agency in the case of an emergency. The APF do not have arrest authority and cannot conduct a criminal investigation. Victims of crime must contact the NP to file a report. Security personnel have been accused of using excessive force in controlling protests in recent years have not faced much accountability, nor did most human rights violators during the 1996-2006 civil conflict. As of September 2020, the government had not prosecuted any Maoists or state actors for involvement in disappearances. 3 Police Response A lack of resources and training hinders security and law enforcement agencies, as do varying levels of professionalism. Response to a crime may take an extended period or may not occur at all. U.S. citizens harassed or detained by local police should contact the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section/American Citizen Services at +977-1-423-4000. For assistance