Give opportunities to minorities: NHRC chief
Chief of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadaya has said to incorporate the essence of democracy, minorities should also be given appropriate opportunities towards the development of the country and the society.
Speaking at a discussion programme organised by the Nepalese Forum for Human Rights & People's Democracy (NEHURIPD), in Sydney, Australia recently, Upadaya said the constituent assembly election is an opportunity for all to make their own constitution and take the responsibility for it. "There should be a greater participation from all citizens to make it effective," he added and urged all to hold the election at the stipulated date.
NHRC member Gauri Pradhan, outlining the history of Nepali politics and the current development in the political scenario, said CA election is the first time opportunity to all Nepalis to decide the type of constitution suitable for them. He added the CA election is a common agenda for common people and that its success will help build Nepal with people having sovereign powers.
He urged the political leaders not to make CA elections an issue for power or influence but make it a platform to decide King or Republic, Autocrat or Democrat and cherish the opportunity to write a new constitution.
Speaking at the programme, Daryl Melham, member of the Australian parliament, said the CA election on November 22 is very important as this will make Nepali people feel the ownership of the democratic process and ownership of the constitution that is made by the their representatives. He further said if the Maoists take this democracy process as a tactical event, then this will not be the end of the problems in Nepal.
Dr. Vivienne Kondos, senior lecturer of the University of Sydney, expressed concerned over the events in Nepal that have been hampering press freedom and freedom of expression and questioned how would this help to liberate the situation by putting a band on the people's fundamental right.
Senior human rights advocate Daman Nath Dhungana said it was the lack of political will and long-term vision that it took so long to realise the need of the current political agreement between the Maoists and the other political parties.
Dhungana said the demand for full representative electoral system at this time is inappropriate because it was discussed at length while drafting the interim constitution where the UML had raised the issue and the Maoists agreed for mixed system. nepalnews.com ia Oct 02 07
