A large section of the population in Nepal cannot access political participation and representation to public affairs due to economic and social conditions, social stigma and lack of access to information, among other reasons. Nepal retains its centuries-old caste system. Dalits, the most discriminated people under this system, suffer from restriction on the use public amenities, deprivation of economic opportunities, and general neglect by the state and society.
In 1996, the Nepal's Maoist Communist party launched a violent campaign to replace the royal parliamentary system with a people's socialist republic. The ensuing ten years civil war had several origins, including overall poverty and the lack of economic development, long periods of landlessness and deprivation of lower castes and lower-status ethnic groups generating anger at the country's elites, as well as dissatisfaction against the government's targeting of Maoist activists. The conflict resulted in the death of over 12,000 people, the displacement of more than 100,000 people, and the devastation of public infrastructures.
Social, economic and political
The conflict officially ended in 2006, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). In 2007, the Interim Constitution of Nepal was adopted, replacing the 1990 Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal. It created an interim Legislature-Parliament, a transitional government reflecting the goals of the 2006 People's Movement - the mandate of which was for peace, change, stability, establishment of the competitive multiparty democratic system of governance, rule of law, promotion and protection of human rights, full press freedom and independence of judiciary based on democratic values and norms.
In 2008, a Constituent Assembly (CA) was established. That same year, the CA resolved to end the 239 year-old monarchy and declare Nepal a federal democratic republic. The CA is responsible for electing the President (the head of state) and the Prime Minister (head of government). In 2010, almost a third of the members of the CA were women, and a record number of Dalits and other marginalised groups were elected.
As part of the process of drafting Nepal's new constitution, regional consortiums of NGOs have held 'democracy dialogues,' including over 400,000 people, to help ensure that the constitution represents Nepal's diverse population, as well as to increase citizens' confidence in, and understanding of the process. New constitutional provisions include new economic, social and cultural rights; new voting systems; and affirmative action for marginalised groups. It is expected that women will be assured 33% representation in the new Parliament. The new constitution has not been finalised, largely due to disagreements on whether to determine Nepal state boundaries on the basis of ethnicity. In May 2012, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai dissolved the Constituent Assembly after it failed to finish the constitution in its last time extension, leaving the country in a legal vacuum. Election of the new Constituent Assembly was due in spring 2013.
Political context
A large section of the population in Nepal cannot access political participation and representation to public affairs due to economic and social conditions, social stigma and lack of access to information, among other reasons. Nepal retains its centuries-old caste system. Dalits, the most discriminated people under this system, suffer from restriction on the use public amenities, deprivation of economic opportunities, and general neglect by the state and society.
In 1996, the Nepal's Maoist Communist party launched a violent campaign to replace the royal parliamentary system with a people's socialist republic. The ensuing ten years civil war had several origins, including overall poverty and the lack of economic development, long periods of landlessness and deprivation of lower castes and lower-status ethnic groups generating anger at the country's elites, as well as dissatisfaction against the government's targeting of Maoist activists. The conflict resulted in the death of over 12,000 people, the displacement of more than 100,000 people, and the devastation of public infrastructures.
The conflict officially ended in 2006, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). In 2007, the Interim Constitution of Nepal was adopted, replacing the 1990 Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal. It created an interim Legislature-Parliament, a transitional government reflecting the goals of the 2006 People's Movement - the mandate of which was for peace, change, stability, establishment of the competitive multiparty democratic system of governance, rule of law, promotion and protection of human rights, full press freedom and independence of judiciary based on democratic values and norms.
Social, economic and political
In 2008, a Constituent Assembly (CA) was established. That same year, the CA resolved to end the 239 year-old monarchy and declare Nepal a federal democratic republic. The CA is responsible for electing the President (the head of state) and the Prime Minister (head of government). In 2010, almost a third of the members of the CA were women, and a record number of Dalits and other marginalised groups were elected.
As part of the process of drafting Nepal's new constitution, regional consortiums of NGOs have held 'democracy dialogues,' including over 400,000 people, to help ensure that the constitution represents Nepal's diverse population, as well as to increase citizens' confidence in, and understanding of the process. New constitutional provisions include new economic, social and cultural rights; new voting systems; and affirmative action for marginalised groups. It is expected that women will be assured 33% representation in the new Parliament. The new constitution has not been finalised, largely due to disagreements on whether to determine Nepal state boundaries on the basis of ethnicity. In May 2012, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai dissolved the Constituent Assembly after it failed to finish the constitution in its last time extension, leaving the country in a legal vacuum. Election of the new Constituent Assembly was due in spring 2013.
source :eldis.org
Post a Comment