Significant Gains Made In HR Sphere

Nepal’s media continues to expose cases of corruption and human rights abuses, often implicating leading political parties and leaders. However, in most instances, these revelations do not lead to meaningful action. While the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has pursued some cases, enforcement remains weak. Court orders addressing corruption and other injustices frequently go unimplemented, leaving the public disillusioned.

The recent handling of the imprisonment of Rabi Lamichhane, former Home Minister and President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has raised concerns about the adherence to human rights protocols in Nepal. The investigation into his alleged role in the misappropriation of cooperative funds is a positive step. However, any form of harassment during imprisonment is unacceptable in a republic. The apparent silence of the media on this issue raises questions about potential biases within both the political and media fraternities toward Rabi Lamichhane. Such selective attention undermines the principles of democracy and highlights the need for impartiality in both governance and journalism.

Monumental progress

Over the last 75 years, Nepal has experienced a remarkable transformation, shifting from an absolute monarchy to a federal republic. This journey has been marked by a persistent struggle between the monarchy and the people to institutionalise democracy. Despite this monumental progress, the mindset of both lawmakers and the general public remains influenced by patriarchal and feudal attitudes. 

Nepal has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, multiple constitutional rewrites, and significant strides in creating laws to support marginalised communities and address gender disparities. However, implementing these laws remains a significant challenge. Notably, Nepal is among the few countries where official documents, such as visas, citizenship, and voter IDs, include a third-gender option alongside “male” and “female.” This is a positive step forward, as are indicators showing Nepal’s steady climb toward gender parity and establishment of human rights.

Nevertheless, the nation still grapples with impunity, particularly in addressing gender justice and the human rights of those affected by civil wars and other injustices. The aspirations of the Nepali people in this federal republic remain far from realised. The transition from monarchy to a republic has been fraught with additional challenges, including the effects of climate change — earthquakes, floods, and shifting agricultural patterns. 

Nepal’s social fabric is a remarkable blend of Buddhist and Brahminic Hindu traditions, which intertwine in festivals, events, and legends. This synthesis has created harmony between these two related but distinct value systems. Once the world’s only Hindu kingdom, Nepal is now a secular state. Another positive aspect is that the religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and others, who constitute less than four per cent of the population, generally feel safe within the country’s inclusive environment.

The unification of various kingdoms by Prithvi Narayan Shah created Nepal as we know it today. Ancient Indian texts indicate that the central Himalayan hills were culturally and politically linked to the Gangetic plains at least 2,500 years ago. Similarly, Buddhist accounts highlight Lumbini as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. However, Nepal’s early rulers, Hindu kings of high-caste Indian origin, governed a population largely non-Hindu and non-Indo-Aryan, setting the stage for the nation’s complex socio-political dynamics.

This historical backdrop underscores why Nepal’s two powerful neighbours — India and China — remain key influencers in its socio-economic and political developments. Since 1950, Nepal has experienced a series of political uprisings, often influenced by movements tied to Indian Congress and leftist ideologies. The first democratic constitution was introduced in 1959, but democracy soon came under siege from the Shah dynasty. It wasn’t until 1990 that Nepal transitioned to a constitutional monarchy, introducing multiparty democracy and guaranteeing freedom of speech. This era also saw the emergence of vibrant media houses, reflecting the newly democratic environment.

The 1990s and early 2000s were dominated by the Maoist insurgency, which destabilised the country and prevented the formation of a stable government. The royal massacre in 2001 further disrupted the constitutional monarchy, intensifying the Maoist revolt and culminating in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal republic in 2008.

Nepal again made history by including Maoists in the government during its peace process. Another revolutionary milestone was the introduction of the Local Election Act, which mandates that each ward elect two female members, one of whom must be a Dalit woman. With 6,743 wards nationwide, this ensures a minimum of 13,486 female representatives, including 6,743 Dalit women. Additionally, the Election Commission requires that 40.4 per cent of nominees be women, with political parties ensuring gender parity in their nominations for chief and deputy chief positions at the local levels.

Cordial relationships

Nepal has maintained cordial relationships with other South Asian countries and often serves as a venue for regional dialogues. In today’s turbulent South Asia, Nepal’s example offers valuable lessons in resilience and diplomacy. However, domestically, much work remains to protect press freedom, uphold human rights, and combat corruption. While the absconding of serious offenders in cases such as the Bhutanese refugee scandal — where Nepali nationals were falsely categorised as non-nationals and sent as refugees to the USA — raises critical questions about accountability, recent developments have further spotlighted systemic issues. 

The ongoing case of former home minister Rabi Lamichhane, who has been taken into custody, is allegedly subjected to harassment while in custody, and moved between prisons at night, has provoked fresh concerns about the state of human rights in Nepal. These incidents reflect the challenges faced by a nation that has endured numerous revolutions to establish itself as a republic. Addressing the entrenched culture of impunity, punishing those involved in various heinous crimes, and fostering a truly equitable society are essential for realising the aspirations of the Nepali people in this federal republic.

(Sharma is a senior journalist and women’s rights advocate. namrata1964@yahoo.com X @NamrataSharmaP.)