KATHMANDU, NEPAL - Human Rights Watch on Friday urged Nepal to investigate and prosecute those responsible for crimes committed during the country's decade-long civil war.

Three years after the conflict between the government and Maoist guerrillas ended, Nepal has still not conducted credible investigations into thousands of cases of murder and torture, the New York-based rights watchdog said.

"The politicians, police, prosecutors, and army are letting the people of Nepal down once again," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"The government has had plenty of time to set the wheels in motion to prosecute the perpetrators, but all it has done is make empty promises."

More than 16,000 people died during the 10-year conflict, according to the latest tally by the government, which has said the figure may rise as more cases are uncovered.

Rights groups have accused both the rebels and security forces of human rights abuses, including abductions, extrajudicial killings and torture.

A peace deal that ended the conflict required the establishment of a commission of inquiry into so-called disappearances, as well as a truth and reconciliation commission.

But the rights group said a lack of political will, prevailing political instability and a lack of progress in the peace process meant the government had not delivered on its promises.

Political parties have also put pressure on the police not to investigate certain cases in order to protect their members, it said.