In Memory of Jai Kishor Labh

In Memory of Jai Kishor Labk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQdxr7h_xUQ

Peace Brigades International is deeply saddened by the death of human rights defender Jai Kishor Labh in the early hours of Sunday April 18^th in his home.

A lawyer and long-time human rights defender, Jai Kishor Labh experienced firsthand the impact of conflict and impunity in Nepal when his son Sanjeev and four other young men were disappeared and killed in 2003, allegedly by state authorities. Despite poverty and ill health, Jai Kishor worked tirelessly on the case of the five disappeared young men, and on other human rights issues in Nepal. 

PBI began working closely with Jai Kishor during an escalation in danger to him because of his vocal defence of human rights.  

In the face of threats to his life, Jai Kishor continued his pursuit of justice; work that will have to be taken up by others now that he is gone.

PBI-Nepal received one final message from Jai Kishor in the hours before he died.  He was letting us know about a message he had sent to the BBC Nepali Service:

"Namaste. I have sent a message . . . stating that the government's authorities frequently express their dedications for Human Rights, but don't implement even the recommendations of NHRC [National Human Rights Commission] and the decisions of the Supreme Court. Is this real dedication for human rights and justice, or only an absurd and false assurance?"

Jai Kishor Labh raised his voice for justice to the very end. In his challenge to impunity and his passion for human rights, he inspired us.   We hope his memory will spur on other human rights defenders; we commit to supporting them as best we can.

PBI-Nepal