In a report out today, the human rights organisation points to the killing and abduction of civilians by both sides in the Nepalese conflict.

Its central point, however, is that foreign arms and military equipment, including helicopters, have been used in attacks on civilians, including extrajudicial executions.

Countries that have supplied arms and weapons systems to Nepal include Britain, India, France, South Africa and Belgium. In 2003 the UK provided Nepal's army with two Mi-17 helicopters, and last year sent it two Islander short takeoff and landing aircraft.

In 2001, the British government granted export licences for the supply of 6,780 assault rifles to Nepal. It is unclear when, or if, they were all sold.

Whitehall's official export figures say Britain exported only £110,000 worth of military equipment to Nepal between 2001 and 2003.

Last year the Ministry of Defence described the Islander surveillance aircraft, and other items supplied to the Himalayan kingdom, including intelligence and communications equipment, as "non-lethal". Amnesty says there is no way of ensuring that Nepal uses British equipment only for non-lethal purposes.

It also points out that a number of senior Nepalese army officers, including the commander in chief, were trained at Sandhurst.

The government suspended all military assistance to Nepal in February after King Gyanendra took direct control of the country and imposed a state of emergency. After the king lifted the state of emergency and freed some political prisoners in April, Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, told MPs that Britain's "security assistance" was "under review".

Amnesty said yesterday it was concerned that he was signalling a resumption of arms supplies to Nepal. The Foreign Office said British policy was still being kept under review.

More than 12,000 people have been killed in Nepal since the Maoist rebels began their uprising in 1996, according to Amnesty.

It calls for all international arms supplies and military assistance to Nepal to be suspended until Kathmandu takes clear steps to halt rights violations and bring those responsible to justice.