A senior Maoist leader has raised serious objections against the ambassadorial nominations made by the government.
Stating that there has not been prior eight party understanding regarding the nominations, Maoist leader Dinanath Sharma said they will not allow the process of parliamentary hearing to proceed. This has yet again thrown the process of nominating ambassadors off-track.
Sharma’s reaction came in the wake of reports that Foreign Ministry sent a list of 14 nominees to the Parliamentary Special Hearing Committee for approval as per the interim constitution.
“We strongly protest this decision. The interim constitution clearly states that decisions have to be made based on consent of eight parties,” said Sharma.
Earlier, the Foreign ministry had sent the name of 14 nominees – with only one change from the list that was published six months ago and which was later stalled after Maoist protests.
Instead of Bhagirath Basnet who was recommended as ambassador to Britain, the name of former representative to United Nations Permanent Mission Murari Raj Sharma has been proposed in the new list.
Likewise, Nepali Congress leader Sailaja Acharya has been recommended as ambassador to India, Tanka Karki to China, Dr Suresh Chalise to United States , Dinesh Bhattarai to UN Permanent Mission in Geneva, Pramesh Hamal to Belgium, Surya Kiran Gurung to Russia, Pradeep Khatiwada to Bangladesh and Dr Navin Prakash Jung Shah to Thailand.
Furthermore, Ganesh Yonjan has been recommended as ambassador to Japan, Hamid Ansari to Saudi Arabia, Suryanath Mishra to Qatar, Guna Laxmi Shrestha B.K to Myanmar and Bal Bahadur Kuwar to Pakistan. The list of the nominees is a mixture of NC, UML and NC-Democratic leaders as well as foreign ministry mandarins.
Meanwhile, reports had said that the government has set aside ambassadorial positions in France, South Korea and Denmark for Maoists.
Human rights organisations have called for end to all forms of torture and full respect of human rights of individuals.
On the occasion of 20th anniversary of the enforcement of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the world is observing the UN Day In Support of Victims of Torture on June 26.
“Torture is legally wrong, politically dangerous and ethically unacceptable,” states a press release issued by Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT).
“Impunity must cease to exist in the new era of Nepal’s political development. The Interim Constitution of Nepal, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture, all state that torture is an absolute and non-derogable crime. This means that even in a state of emergency that is duly imposed, no legislative, administrative or judicial measure authorising the recourse to torture will be considered as lawful under international law, and, therefore, any measure of that kind will engage the State’s responsibility,” the Centre states.
“We would like to urge Nepal government to end the legally wrong, politically dangerous and ethically unacceptable incidences of torture from our country. Those who are suffering from the consequences of torture must receive adequate reparation that includes physical and psychosocial rehabilitation, moral and legal redress and fair compensation,” it further states.
Likewise, Advocacy Forum Nepal (AFN) has reported that even after the end of autocracy, torture still continues. The AFN has registered 1313 new cases of torture after April 2006 until now, the report said. The forum has documented 17 cases of torture, four cases of rape, and six cases of illegal detention of civilians by the military after April 2006. It has also documented 67 cases of torture, a case of rape and 96 cases of abduction by the Maoists during the same period.
The United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has welcomed the announcement of the date for the Constituent Assembly (CA) election in Nepal.
Issuing a press release Monday, the UN body said, “This (announcement of CA election) is a critical step in the peace process, and indicates the strong commitment of the political parties to work together to fulfill the historic promise to the people of Nepal to form a democratically elected Constituent Assembly.”
The UNMIN further stated that its presence in Nepal and all aspects of its work are “for the purpose of assisting in creating a free and fair atmosphere for this election”, and that it is “strongly committed to the achievement of this objective.”
“It is essential that all parties commit themselves to addressing the considerable challenges that remain in order to create a free and fair atmosphere for the ballot.”
Maintaining that the announcement of the election date was not in itself sufficient, the UNMIN stressed upon the need of political parties to put forth “a realistic plan and timetable to achieve rapid progress on simultaneous fronts, both technical and logistical as well as on political and security issues.”
It also urged the government to hold dialogue with historically marginalised groups — Madhesis, Janajatis, Dalits, women and others, as it is “essential to ensure that there is a broad consensus among all elements of the electorate on the electoral system”.
Stating that it is very important that the government forms a fully independent national monitoring body to support peace process implementation, the UNMIN said that is willing to provide assistance to such a body which is established independently.
“It is essential that all parties commit themselves to dialogue as the means to work through differences without violence, that the Interim Government take necessary action to guarantee public security through professional law enforcement, and that all parties fulfill their commitments in order to promote an atmosphere of political tolerance in which a conducive climate for the election can be created,” the release added.
Meanwhile, welcoming the announcement of date for the Constituent Assembly election in Nepal, India has said it is an important step towards institutionalizing democracy in Nepal.
“The announcement of the date for constituent assembly election is an important step towards institutionalizing democracy, peace and development,” India’s external affairs ministry spokesperson said in New Delhi Monday.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula (File Photo)
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula has asked all concerned to extend support to the government in tackling rising drug abuses in the country. Stating that the problem of drug abuses is a social problem, minister Sitaula said only the formulation and enforcement of laws cannot curb the problem.
Addressing a function organised by the home ministry on the occasion of the anti-drug day today, home secretary Umesh Mainali highlighted the importance of public awareness on implications of drug abuses and role of the parents to discourage their children from such activities.
He said awareness at the local level would be effective for controlling the problem.
Actors Rajesh Hamal and Bipana Thapa, who have been recently appointed as goodwill ambassadors against drug abuses expressed their willingness to support the programme considering it their responsibility.
Data published by the home ministry today states that there are around 46,400 Intravenous Drug Users (IDU). Out of this, 17,458 are in Kathmandu alone and three-fourths of them are below 30 years of age. However, anti-drug campaigners estimate the number of IDUs to be over 150,000.
One woman died and many others fell seriously ill in Sindhupalchowk district Monday after consuming a medicine for Filaria disease (elephantiasis or “Hattipaile” in Nepali).
Bichari Bharati, 40, of Kadambas V.D.C-3 died a day after consuming the medicine for the disease which is transmitted by Mosquito and is a leading cause of permanent and long-term disability after leprosy.
More than three dozen people of the some five V.D.C’s of the district where the medicine was freely distributed by the government to build their immune against the disease also fell seriously ill after consuming the medicine.
Most of those who have fallen ill are children and elderly.
The Sindhupalchowk District Public Health Office has already dispatched a team of health experts to investigate what it called the “abnormal” side-effects of the medicine.
Two days after Maoist chairman Prachanda told an Indian news channel that he hoped to become the president of ‘republican Nepal’ in two years time, senior minister and Nepali Congress general secretary Ram Chandra Poudel today scoffed at the Maoist chairman’s ‘presidential dream’.
Speaking at a programme in Pokhara , Poudel said Prachanda “does not deserve’ to become the president of Nepal”. The Peace and Reconstruction minister also lashed out at Maoists that they were still continuing violence and intimidation.
Poudel, who also heads the government’s talk team, said constituent assembly election would not possible on November 22 if the Maoists didn’t stop violent activities and create a condition suitable for the displaced people to return to the villages. “Maoist activities are the main hurdle in holding credible elections,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba said Prachanda’s statement that he would become Nepal’s president in the next two years was a mere fantasy.
NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba paying tribute to Humla district member Netra Bahadur Shahi, whose body was found recently three and a half months after the Maoists abducted him, Tuesday, June 25 07. nepalnews.com/ANA
“He must have said that after consulting his astrologer,” Deuba, himself a known believer of soothsaying, said while talking to reporters at Pashupati Aryaghat, after the funeral rites of Netra Bahadur Shahi, an NC-D cadre in Humla district, who was allegedly killed by Maoists few months earlier. His dead body was found this week.
In his interview with the New Delhi-based CNN-IBN news channel, Prachanda had claimed that Deuba was against the constituent assembly election.
The Maoist chairman told the news channel that he would become president of Nepal with executive powers only for one five-year term.
Lawmakers and legal experts have said Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Podul could be impeached by the parliament if the truthfulness of recent news reports that he privately met the defendants of corruption cases are established after independent probe.
They have also demanded immediate inquiry into the reports of the CJ meeting with three corruption-accused persons– former minister Khum Bahadur Khadka, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal) chairman Rabindra Nath Sharma and former police DIG Kumar Koirala- when separate corruption cases against them were still pending at the Special Court.
Giving controversial verdicts, the Special Court had later acquitted all three persons of graft charges. CJ Poudel had reportedly met them separately at his Baluwatar residence. International norms and the code of conduct for judges regard such meetings as violation of professional ethics.
Speaking at an interaction in the capital Tuesday, CPN (UML) lawmaker Pradeep Gyawali said there should an independent inquiry into the charge against the CJ and that the parliament should start process to impeach him if the charge is established.
He furtrher said the recent acquittals of corruption-accused persons by the Special Court had raised a serious question about judicial impartiality.
Similarly, CPN (Maoist) chief whip Dina Nath Sharma said his party would table an impeachment motion at the legislature parliament against CJ Poudel if the charge against him is proven. “Our party will launch a separate inquiry into the media reports,” he said.
Speaking at the same programme, CPN (Marxist Leninist) leader and lawmaker C.P Mainali said CJ Poudel should be impeached by the parliament if he indeed met the defendants of corruption cases. Unethical conducts of judges as reported in the media have seriously tarnished the image of the judiciary, he added.
President of Nepal Bar Association (NBA) Bishwokanta Mainali said the Bar would launch an investigation into the charge against the CJ. He said the CJ could be impeached by the parliament if the charge is proven.
CJ Poudel is also facing a charge of “sexual abuse”. Editor and two other journalists of weekly tabloid Janaastha are facing “contempt of court” case at the Supreme Court for publishing a shocking news story citing an affidavit given by a woman to police authorities in which she accused Poudel of sexual abuse.
A delegation of Federation of Nepalese Journalists led by its president Bishnu Nisthuri met with Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Information and Communication Minister and spokesperson of the government, on Tuesday.
The FNJ delegation discussed about the safety and security of journalists, pressure and hindrances on media organisations, and the obstacles faced by journalists while collecting news.
According to a press release by FNJ, they demanded that the government media be freed from government’s control.
The also demanded a policy to make local advertisements easily available to local media; and make arrangements so that a certain amount collected from publication of advertisements will be deposited in journalist’s welfare fund.
The FNJ asked the Minister to implement recommendations made by the High Level Media Commission.
The journalists also sought legal action against those who repress press and wanted the government to guarantee a free and safe environment to collect the news of the election.
The press release adds that minister Mahara assured them of cooperation. “He assured that he will take decisions and take initiative to improve the situation according to the demands and will implement working journalist’s act and act related to information rights as soon as possible.”
The press release says that Mahara also assured that he will take measures to guarantee safety of journalists and will gradually implement the suggestions of the report submitted by media commission. “He informed that a policy to guarantee local advertisements to local media will be introduced in the coming budget. Saying that the government media cannot be freed from government’s control immediately, he said, the government wants to discuss on the ways to make it self-reliant,” the release said.
Ratna Shumsher Thapa
Ratna Shumsher Thapa (File Photo)
In the second episode of its comeback, lyricist Ratna Shumsher Thapa will be featured in the upcoming Paleti, organized by the Nepa~laya, on June 29.
“This latest additional feature of Paleti is expected to reiterate the importance of lyricists and musicians in Nepali music and also increase their proximity with the audience and listeners,” the Nepa~laya press release states.
His commemorative expressions as well as the popular songs that he has penned would be presented during the performance.
Thapa has been writing songs since the onset of Nepali modern songs. His songs have earned reputation since he initiated writing. Narayan Gopal sung Aankhako Bhaka Ankhaile, Swargaki Rani, Kunjama Gunjiyo, Bho Bho Nasodha, Madhumas Yo Dilko and Ye Kancha Thattaima Yo are some of the best of his writings.
Thapa will unravel his creative past while presenting himself openly. His popular and quality old songs will be presented by the Paleti artists, Suraj Thapa and Sheela Bista.
“At Paleti, I will try to apprise my audience and listeners with the things that I thought, experienced and felt while writing the songs then. I hope the audience would enjoy listening to the music while also hearing about the stories associated with the songs”, Thapa said.
The Election Commission (EC) today asked the government to improve the security situation to ensure free and fair election to constituent assembly.
Chief Election Commission (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokharel
Chief Election Commission (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokharel (File Photo)
Organising a news conference at the EC, Chief Election Commission (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokharel said free and fair CA elections would not be possible if security was not improved. The current security situation is far from satisfactory, Pokharel said.
He also urged the parties to reach consensus on the electoral system at the earliest and reach out to the agitating groups in order to create a favourable climate for the November 22 polls.
The Commission, according to him, will soon bring out the list of political parties that will be contesting the CA election and launch publicity campaign on CA and voters’ education programme.
The CEC said the Commission needed 2 billion rupees for conducting the CA election.
The EC’s call for increased security and political support comes a day after the government announced to hold the CA polls on November 22 (Mangsir 6).