The Law Society of England and Wales has called on the prime minister of Nepal, Mr Khil Raj Regmi, to protect a prominent lawyer facing persecution as an 'anti-Maoist dollar mongerer'.

The intervention follows threats of death and violence made against Ms Mandira Sharma, a lawyer and chairperson of Advocacy Forum-Nepal and a member of Accountability Watch Committee (AWC). The latter is a forum of leading human rights defenders fighting against impunity for politicians, paramilitaries and other individuals suspected of war crimes. Other members of the AWC have also faced threats.

The threats have been widespread and issued primarily through the media in Nepal. In January, members of the AWC were accused of "going against the Maoists, Maoist political agenda and change".

Several articles have identified and named Ms Sharma and other human rights defenders, calling for 'people's action' against "traitors, enemies of the people, peace spoilers and dollar mongerers". During the conflict period in Nepal, the term 'people's action' was commonly used as a justification for violence and killing.

Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff said: "We are very concerned about threats of death and violence against Ms Mandira Sharma and other lawyers in Nepal.

"Nepal has an obligation to uphold its citizens' civil and political rights. This obligation is clearly stated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – a treaty that Nepal acceded to over 20 years ago, in 1991.

"Equally, lawyers must be able to carry out their duties without intimidation, without hindrance, and without harassment."

Threats made against lawyers and human rights defenders are not uncommon in Nepal, the society says. Less than a month ago, the executive director of Human Rights Alliance, Mr Yadav Prasad Bastola, was beaten over 40 times by four men with iron rods.