DNA TEST, WHICH IS REGARDED as most reliable technique in dispensation of justice in criminal matters, has officially started in Nepal . The National Forensic Science Lab has started collecting blood samples for the DNA test from Sunday. The test is beginning one and a half years after equipment had been installed. “With the start of DNA test, we will move into a new age of justice dispensation,” said Jeevan Rijal, chief of the lab. He said initially the test will be conducted to identify parents. The cost of conducting such test has been fixed at Rs 8000 per person. Until now, samples had to be sent to forensic lab in India for conducting such tests.
CAMPAIGNERS OF SAVE INDEPENDENT RADIO in Nepal have appealed to the UN Secretary General to send his Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to observe the situation here. The campaigners have made this demand after reports that the government is preparing to introduce Broadcasting Authority Ordinance in the name of regulating independent radio, television and cable TV. The campaigners have also urged the UN Office of the Human Rights Commission, National Human Rights Commission and organizations including media missions to support their campaign.
A REPORT BY HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING Coordination Committee has stated that the Maoists violated human rights and humanitarian laws even during the period of its unilateral ceasefire. Publicizing its report prepared after the field-visit of Ramechhap and Taplejung district, the committee accused the Maoists of committing inhuman acts. The Committee has stated that the Maoists committed 40 incidents of rights abuses during the period of unilateral ceasefire. They locked up houses of family members of those working in security services; engaged in looting and forcefully displacing villagers. “We urged the Maoist not to commit such inhuman acts during the period of their own ceasefire. We had to come out with the report publicly after the Maoists failed to pay heed to our appeals,” said Subodh Raj Pyakurel, president of INSEC. There are 34 human rights organizations in the Committee. Pyakurel said that although the committee has studied and published reports of 28 incidents of rights abuses in last two years, there have been no improvements from both the Maoists and the state side.
TRADERS AND TRUCKERS HAVE SUSPENDED their three-day-long strike in Tatopani point of Nepal-China border after the Home Ministry assured them of providing ID cards in order to facilitate their movement to and from the point. The traders had announced the indefinite strike after the imposition of compulsory provisions of visa for them to move into Chinese side. Traders were demanding that they be given facilities similar to those given to residents of bordering districts – who can cross the border on the basis of ID card provided by Immigration Office. As per the latest government assurance, traders, truck-drivers, helpers and container entrepreneurs would be provided with such cards. The Home Ministry has decided that such cards will be provided on the basis of recommendations from Sindhupalchowk District Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Overseas Trade Association; and Trans-Himalayan Traders Association.
A GENERAL BODY MEETING OF THE Tribhuwan University (TU) held on Wednesday (January 11) passed the “Rules regarding autonomous educational institutions or colleges under TU 2006.” According to the TU information section, the rules are expected to make the dissemination of quality education by the educational institutions or colleges under TU more effective. The rules also aim at providing admissions to the maximum number of intellectually capable students in different higher education programs of the university. “It aims to make institutions or colleges financially sustainable, besides strengthening educational and administrative works by including all concerned stakeholders in the decision-making process of management of the institutions,” said a statement by TU information section chief Prem Krishna Chitracar.
THE PROVISIONS OF BERNE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION related to copyrights and intellectual property rights protection will come into force in Nepal beginning today (January 11). After Nepal became party to the convention, it will now be assured of protection of intellectual property rights of its litterateurs, creators and artists even in the international sector. Likewise, it will also need to ensure the copyrights of foreign creators within the country. According to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the enforcement of convention will contribute to promotion and development of creativity and ensure financial and ethical rights of creators over their creations.
THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN 2006 HAVE SPURRED HOPES among the battered garment entrepreneurs. One of the biggest importers of the readymade apparels has agreed to give a huge order enough for the whole year to Nepali garment manufacturers. This importer alone orders 25 percent of the total garment exports from Nepal . Even those purchasers who had shifted towards India and China last year are beginning to renew contacts with Nepalese manufacturers. “If these contacts bear fruit, our exports will resume to previous level,” said Kiran Sakha, president of Garment Association of Nepal (GAN). In 2005, following the expiry of Multi Fiber Agreement, Nepal ’s garment exports declined by 41 percent. In that period, around 50 factories were shut down. Meanwhile, due to sudden increase in orders, the garment industry is facing shortage of skilled workers. Most of the workers who were laid off have already left for work overseas. “At present, we need 10,000 workers to complete the orders,” said Sakha. He called on the government to cooperate with favorable policies.
