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PM Koirala presents insignia to Chief of Army Staff General Rukmangat Katawal |
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, PRIME MINISTER presented insignia to the Chief of Army Staff of Nepalese Army. In a ceremony held in Singhdurbar, PM Girija Prasad Koirala presented the official insignia to newly appointed COAS of NA General Rukmangat Katawal. In the past, the King used to present the insignia to the army chief. The ceremony was not attended by ministers belonging to the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), People’s Front (PF) and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi). After the ceremony, General Katawal told the reporters that the “NA would never betray the democracy.” He expressed full commitment of the NA towards democracy. When asked about his views regarding the process of democratizing the NA, General Katawal said, “The NA would perform its duties as per the government’s order.” Born in Thulachhap VDC of Okhaldhunga district in 2005 BS, General Katawal has received training from National Defense Academy and Indian Military Academy of India along with Rangers and Special Force training from the United States , according to a statement issued by the NA Public Relations Directorate. Meanwhile, some MPs have deplored the government for appointing General Katawal as army chief. They said it was wrong to appoint a person facing allegations of repression against the people’s movement. Speaking at the parliament, PF MP Lilamani Pokharel said it was an irony that the PM who had no time to come to the parliament was finding enough time to present insignia to General Katawal. He said Katawal’s appointment went against the spirit of the people’s movement.
BEFORE THE DASHAIN FESTIVAL, A NUMBER OF foreign high-level delegations are scheduled to make a trip to Nepal . According to sources at the Foreign Ministry, a delegation led by Danish Assistant Minister for International Development Ulla Tornas will visit Nepal from September 19-22. Likewise, Britain ’s Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dr. Kim Howells is scheduled to make a weeklong visit to Nepal from September 24-October 2. Both the British and Danish ministers are expected to meet with Prime Minister Koirala, ministers, political leaders and civil society representatives. Furthermore, a team of three parliamentarians from France is also set to come to Nepal on a weeklong visit beginning September 19.
THE SUPREME COURT, ON SUNDAY (September 10), issued an order to the government asking to prohibit the exploitation of child domestic workers in the name of “kamalari system” which is rampant in mid and far western regions of Nepal . The SC has also asked the government to include child rights law in the school curriculum. “Include child rights laws and international conventions along with the Child Rights Act, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC) and other child rights conventions in school curriculum,” the division bench comprising judges Sharada Prasad Pundit and Bal Ram KC stated in a verdict responding to a writ petition filed by Friends of Needy Children, an NGO and a group of lawyers. The apex court has also ordered the government to set up a national level fund to rehabilitate those children working as kamalari. Leading dailies report
WHILE STATING THAT THE SITUATION OF human rights had vastly improved compared to previous royal regime, a report published by a leading rights organization expressed disappointment over the continuing incidents of rights violations. The report by INSEC assessing the hundred days of restoration of democratic government states that 11 people were killed by the Maoists and nine by the state during the period. INSEC president Subodh Raj Pyakurel said the incidents of rights violations by the Maoists were more during the period. He accused the Maoists of continuing to kill, abduct, intimidate and engage in extortion. The report said Maoists’ student wing was forcefully recruiting kids in its committees in villages. Likewise, the Maoists were involved in abduction of 33 persons, confiscation of properties of two households, among others, during the period. The report also accuses the sate of continuing with the culture of impunity.
THE INDUSTRIAL SECURITY GROUP (ISG), have expressed grave concern over the increasing reports of Maoist excesses. A press statement issued by the ISG said, “The ISG noted with concern the many reports of increased Maoist extortion and threats made to employees, employers and entrepreneurs engaged in commercial, industrial and tourism activities since the government and Maoist cease-fires were announced.” During its meeting held on September 5 to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in Nepal , the ISG strongly urged the Government of Nepal to take immediate steps to restore law and order and to end Maoist intimidation, forced unionization and extortion. The ISG, which comprises representatives of the Embassies of France, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Delegation of the European Commission, along with bilateral Chambers of Commerce and industry associations has said, “Maoist extortion demands, coupled with aggressive efforts by the Maoists to intimidate employees into joining Maoist unions, are pushing enterprises toward bankruptcy and putting entire sectors of Nepal's economy at risk,” adding, “Maoist demands threaten to cripple Nepal's struggling economy.” The ISG also demanded the Maoists to immediately end all such activities, which are in direct violation of commitments they have made to the Seven Party Alliance, the Government of Nepal, and the people of Nepal . “These actions contravene international human rights standards. They are also incompatible with the Maoists' stated aspirations to join the democratic process,” the ISG added. Maoists have been continuing excesses despite their commitment with the ruling seven party alliance and the government not to do so.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES State Affairs Committee (SAC) has unanimously decided to scrap Clause 2 and other clauses in a bill on public document authentication, thereby, curtailing the King’s power to issue any order for enacting new acts, regulations and government decisions. “Scrapping of the clause has scrapped all powers vested in the King. The government-appointed person would have the right to receive credentials of foreign diplomats,” said Hridaya Ram Thani, chairman of SAC. The enactment of the new Act would transfer all constitutional, executive and legislative powers of the King to the Council of Ministers, said MPs.
THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) will provide food grain worth Rs 30 million to the victims of flood and landslide. The WFP, as per Red Cross standards, would provide assistance to the victims in Banke, Bardiya, Achham and Mugu districts. Four hundred and ten grams of rice and 60 grams of pulse and one packet of salt would be provided to a person everyday. This assistance would be provided to the victims in Banke, Mugu and Achham for a month and for 37 days to the victims in Bardiya, said spokesperson of Nepal Red Cross Society (Banke), Rupan Gyawali. The Luthran World Federation (Banke) has also agreed to provide food and other materials in Banke and Bardiya. Save the Children (US) a charitable organization, has agreed to provide 500 blankets, tents and utensils to the victims in Bardiya, said Gyawali. According to him, food would be distributed to 38,350 persons of 6387 households in Banke in the first phase.
