by Sunil Pant

KATHMANDU, December 28, 2005  –  In the early hours of this morning, a “meti” (transgendered male) was arrested by police as she was leaving the Thamel tourist area on a motorcycle with her male friend.

The incident happened at about 1.30 am as police thought 24 years-old Sahiba was with the man for prostitution purposes – and that the man was a client.

Sahiba was taken to the Shore Khutte police station for questioning.  This is the same police station that was involved in the arrest of 11 “metis” two weeks ago.

At the police station, Sahiba was detained with Supari – another meti who had been arrested earlier at Himal Lodge when she was found in a room with a friend during a “peace and order” raid.

I went to the police station today about 10 am and was able to talk to the metis.  I also talked to the senior police officer N.K. Shahi and asked why the metis were arrested.

Mr Shahi replied, saying: “Sahiba was going with her client on a motorbike for prostitution, that’s why she was arrested and Supari was arrested from the Himal Lodge while she was doing prostitution”.

I asked him what proof the police had that these metis were involved in prostitution.  He said it was obvious – they both were staying in the hotel.

Then I asked him what the charge would be and when they were likely to be released.  Mr Shahi replied: “Sahiba will be released after her hair was chopped off as she has long hair”.

But he said that Supari would be charged with a “public order offence”.

I found it very interesting that both “metis” were being held in police custody in a women’s cell.   

Earlier, I spoke on the telephone with police inspector Mt Tek B.Tamang.  He said that Sahiba had been taken to the Hanuman Dhoka Police for further legal procedure and had been charged on Public offence.  Inspector Tamang said metis were a big problem to maintain peace and order as most of them are prostitutes.

I asked how two people staying in a hotel room could disturb peace and order, pointing out that is was a violation of human rights that police breached citizens’ rights to privacy by entering the hotel room by force and arresting them and charging them on prostitution.

Are metis not allowed to stay in a hotel, I asked?  Have you arrested other people staying in the hotel when more than one person are in the same room?  Are metis not allowed to ride motorbike with anybody?

Blue Diamond Society is very much concerned of such regular assault, torture and arrest against homosexuals/transgender persons in Nepal and condemns the degrading perception and treatment of sexual and gender minorities from the Nepal police.

We ask for your support and solidarity to protect the human rights of homosexuals/transgender.

■ Sunil Pant is the founder and director of the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal's only LGBT human rights group.

RECENT NEPAL ARTICLE:

Lesbian Group in Nepal Kicked Out by Landlord.  The lesbian support group Mitini has been kicked out of its rented premises in Kathmandu – and the women say they have been threatened by soldiers from the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). (UK Gay News, December 20, 2005)

LINK

Blue Diamond Society website