Tuesday, July 11, 2006

RPP For Federalism Ahead of UML, NC And NC(D)


Interim Constitution Draft
UML Inching Towards Federalism

I think it is really impressive that the RPP has beat the UML, the Congress and the Congress (D) at this game. And they have hinted they might as well adopt the slogan of a democratic republic.

If elections were to be held like in Israel where a party prepares a list of candidates, and gets seats based in direct proportion to the votes earned, the RPP might actually end up doing quite good.

Pashupati Rana might be upto something. He actually was out in the streets during the April Revolution, maybe not in a big way as others, but he sure was in the streets. There is one famous photo that shows him fisting into the air.

If Nepal is to become a federal republic, the parties that jump onto the bandwagon early will benefit the most electorally.
अन्तरिम संविधानलाई राप्रपाको राय
अन्तरिम संविधान निर्माण गरिँदा देहायका बुँदाहरू अनिवार्यरूपमा समावेश गरिनुपर्छ भन्ने राष्ट्रिय प्रजातन्त्र पार्टीको अवधारणा छ ।

-१) जनताको सर्वाेच्चता, सार्वभौमसत्तासम्पन्न नेपाल, मानवअधिकार, बहुदलीय प्रतिस्पर्धात्मक प्रजातन्त्र, कानुनी राज्य, विधिको शासन, मौलिक हक तथा प्रेस स्वतन्त्रताको प्रत्याभूति ।

-२) सर्वाेच्च अदालत, लोकसेवा आयोग, अख्तियार दुरुपयोग निवारण आयोग र महालेखा परीक्षकको प्रभावकारी भूमिका तथा प्रहरी सेवालाई दक्ष्ा र व्यावसायिक बनाउनका निम्ति प्रहरीसेवा आयोग गठन गरिनुपर्छ ।

-३) अन्तरिम शासन कालमा तानाशाही प्रवृत्तिको रोकथामका निमित्त शक्ति पृथकीकरणको सिद्धान्तको सुनिश्चितता । अन्तरिम मन्त्रिपरिषद् गठन भएपछि पनि व्यवस्थापिका वा त्यसको विकल्पमा उपयुक्त निकाय गठन गरी व्यवस्थापिकाको भूमिका प्रभावकारी हुनुपर्छ ।

-४) निर्वाचन प्रणाली- देशको वस्तुगत विशिष्टतालाई दृष्टिगत गरी अब हुने संविधानसभाको निर्वाचन समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीका आधारमा गरिएमात्र समावेशी निर्वाचन हुन सक्तछ । समानुपातिक निर्वाचन पद्धति अन्तर्गतको सूचीप्रथा संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनका निमित्त उपयुक्त हुनेछ । तर मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धति पनि सहमतिका आधारमा अपनाउन सकिन्छ ।

-५) निर्वाचन क्ष्ाेत्र- संविधानसभाको निर्वाचनको प्रयोजनका लागि सिङ्गो मुलुकलाई एक निर्वाचन क्ष्ाेत्र कायम गर्न वाञ्छनीय देखिन्छ । तर मिश्रति निर्वाचन पद्धति लागू गरिएमा निर्वाचन क्ष्ाेत्रलाई अनिवार्य रूपमा पुनः गठन गर्नैपर्ने हुन्छ ।

-६) नेपाली जनताको चाहनाबमोजिम समावेशी सिद्धान्त अनुरूप अन्तरिम संविधान निर्माण गर्दा लिंग, जाति, जनजाति, मधेसी, दलित, अल्पसंख्यक एवं धर्म, भाषा, संस्कृति र क्ष्ाेत्रीयतालाई स्पष्टरूपमा सम्बोधन गरिनुपर्छ ।

-७) नागरिकता- नेपाली धर्तीमा जन्मिएका धर्तीपुत्रहरू विशेषगरी मधेसी समुदायहरू नागरिकता समस्याबाट पीडित छन् । संविधानसभाको निर्वाचन हुनुभन्दा अगाडि नागरिकता विहीन नेपालीहरूले नागरिकता प्राप्त गर्न सक्ने व्यवस्था अन्तरिम संविधानमै उल्लेख भएको हुनुपर्छ ।

-८) संघात्मक शासन प्रणाली- यथास्थितिमा मुलुक चल्न सक्तैन । आदिवासी जनजाति, मधेसी, लैङ्गकि विभेद, दलित, भाषिक र सांस्कृतिक तथा भौगोलिक रूपमा उपेक्षित क्षेत्रसमेतका समस्याहरू समाधान गरी राष्ट्रिय एकता बलियो बनाउँदै समावेशी प्रजातन्त्रको निमित्त वर्तमान राज्य व्यवस्थामा पुनः संरचना गर्नु जरुरी छ । तसर्थ विद्यमान शासन प्रणालीमा परिवर्तन गरी संघीय शासन व्यवस्था लागू गरिनुपर्छ । संघीय शासन व्यवस्था अन्तर्गत केन्द्रीय सरकारले देशको अर्थनीति, परराष्ट्र नीति, सुरक्षा, सार्वभौम सत्ता, सञ्चार, वैदेशिक वाणिज्य र राष्ट्रिय महत्त्वका विकास योजनाहरूमा रेखदेख सञ्चालन र नियन्त्रण गर्छ । यी मुद्दाहरूबाहेक अन्य विषयहरूमा क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकारले आफ्नो क्ष्ाेत्रभित्र पूर्णरूपमा अधिकार सम्पन्न भएर कार्य गर्न पाउने वैधानिक व्यवस्था लागू हुनुपर्छ । के कति संख्यामा क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकार रहने भन्ने विषयमा विशेषज्ञसमेतको सिफारिसका आधारमा राष्ट्रिय सहमति कायम गरी संख्या तोकिनु उपयुक्त हुनेछ । क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकारको मातहतमा जिल्ला परिषद् रहनेछन् । सम्बन्धित क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकारको मातहतमा के कति संख्यामा जिल्ला परिषद् रहने भन्ने विषय पनि क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकारको भौगोलिक सीमा निर्धारणका आधारमा विशेषज्ञहरूको प्रतिवेदनसमेतलाई दृष्टिगत गरेर निर्णय गरिनुपर्छ । जिल्लापरिषद्को मातहतमा नगर र गाउँस्तरका परिषद्हरू रहनेछन् ।

-९) भाषा- नेपाली भाषा नेपाल राज्यभर सरकारी कामकाजको भाषा हुनेछ तर क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकार मातहतका जिल्ला परिषद्ले आफ्नो क्षेत्रभित्र स्थानीय भाषालाई सरकारी कामकाजको भाषाका रूपमा प्रयोग गर्न पाउने व्यवस्था हुनुपर्छ । जिल्ला परिषद्ले यस सम्बन्धमा गरेको निर्णयलाई क्ष्ाेत्रीय सरकारले अनुमोदन गर्नुपर्छ । विवाद परेमा केन्द्रीय सरकारले निर्णय गर्नुपर्छ ।

-१०) आरक्ष्ाण- यस प्रकारबाट राज्यको पुनःसंरचना गरिएपछि पनि राज्यको नीति निर्माण र कार्यान्वयन तहमा समावेशी हुन नसकेका आदिवासी जनजाति, मधेसी, महिला, दलित र अल्पसंख्यकहरूलाई शिक्ष्ाा, स्वास्थ्य, रोजगारी र प्रशासनिक क्ष्ाेत्रमा निश्चित अवधिका लागि आरक्ष्ाणको प्रत्याभूति गरिनुपर्छ वैदेशिक छात्रवृत्तिमा पिछडिएका मधेसी समुदायलाई अनिवार्यरूपमा समावेश गरी आदिवासी

जनजाति समुदायभित्र पनि 'फरवार्ड एन्ड ब्याक वार्ड' को बीचमा छुट्टै नीति तय गरेर पछाडि परेका आदिवासी जनजातिले छात्रवृत्ति पाउन सक्ने प्रबन्ध गरिनुपर्छ

-११) शिक्ष्ाा, स्वास्थ्य र रोजगारी- देशका नागरिकहरूका निम्ति राज्यले अनिवार्यरूपमा शिक्ष्ाा, स्वास्थ्य र रोजगारीको सुनिश्चिता प्रदान गर्नुपर्छ ।

-राप्रपाले सोमबार अन्तरिम संविधान मस्यौदा समितिसमक्ष प्रस्तुत गरेको अवधारणापत्र)


Recommendations for

Interim Constitution Drafting Committee

Submitted by

Shobhakar Budhathoki

Karon Cochran-Budhathoki

Preamble shall include:

• Sprit of April 2006 movement that means moving towards state restructure and republican country through constituent assembly

• May 2006 House of Representative Proclamation

• Recognition of diversities of country such as culture, tradition, language, ethnicity, etc

• Principles of state mechanisms such as multiparty system, respect of human rights, people's sovereignty, inclusive democracy, secular, etc

• Recognition of martyrs and wounded persons of the movement

  • Recognition of those who sacrificed and took significant risk for the success of the movement
  • Recognition of the 1990 movement and the martyrs and wounded persons

National Language:

• Nepali as connecting language; English as second working language and other local languages as working and official languages in respective areas

National Anthem:

• It must cover the diversities of country and respect the people's dignity, and should be finalized by special panel of experts (historians, political scientists, members of civil society, and musical composers and performers) through competition

Citizenship:

• Born inside the territory of Nepal (Both parents should be eligible to affidavit citizenship to their kids)

• Independently who are born in Nepal

• Provisions for dual citizenship

• Permanent residency for married persons (foreign female with Nepali male and foreign male with Nepali female) and the provisions of dual citizenship must include for these persons. This provision should be also applicable to their children.

  • Honorary citizenship awarded by the state

Fundamental Rights:

Following rights shall include as additional fundamental human rights:

  • Abolishment of capital punishment
  • Right to primary health care
  • Disables rights
  • Land rights (right to tiller)
  • Rights of local people in natural resources
  • Free and compulsory education (school level)
  • Right to employment with social security
  • Complete press freedom with the abolishment of treason
  • Fair wages and labor rights
  • Equal social, economic, and political rights without discrimination (includes non-discrimination based on gender, religion, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, etc.)

Property Rights or Access to Ownership, and Inheritance

  • Property rights or access to ownership provisions for married persons (foreign female with Nepali male and foreign male with Nepali female). They should be entitled to own, use and purchase/sell/exchange physical or any other forms of properties as Nepali citizens. This provision should be equally applicable to the kids born such marriage.
  • Equal access to inheritance, and the ability to “will” property

Directives Policies and Principles:

  • Must be made binding and obligatory for the state

Representation:

  • Proportional and equal representation of women and underrepresented/disenfranchised groups in branches government, committees/commissions, mechanisms created to address transitional justice, etc.

Monarchy:

  • Monarchy should be kept in ad-hoc status and the clear provision regarding the future of monarchy that will determined through constituent assembly
  • Monarchy should not be allowed to exercise any form of statutory powers enjoyed as Head of State and Supreme Commander of Army, and these authorities/powers should be transferred to the Prime Minister

Legislative:

  • Full legislative powers to the House of Representative (HoR)
  • National Assembly should be eliminated
  • Parliamentary hearing must be made compulsory for all government appointment, promotion, etc.
  • Outlining the alternative mechanism as replacement of the HoR with based on HoR proclamation and SPA and the Maoists understanding

Executive:

  • Prime Minister should be entitled to exercise the powers of Head of Government and Head of State, and Supreme Commander of Army

Judicial:

  • Court hearing process and the appointment in judicial bodies must be made transparent. The contempt of court should be limited to being applied only during in court proceeding (the currernt contempt laws suppress the right to freedom of _expression, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, etc…) and shouldn't be used as it has been in the past, to hide wrongdoings of the court and judicial authorities
  • Judicial council must be strengthened with full monitoring and implementation authority for judicial reform

Constituent Assembly Election Commission (CAEC):

  • Special provision for the formation of the CAEC with the inclusion of political scientists, legal professionals, election experts (including civil society that is experienced in “free and fair elections”), geologists and former bureaucrat by terminating the existing Election Commission
  • The CAEC should be authorized to develop working procedures for constituent assembly election commission and constituent assembly election process
  • The CAEC must have representatives from marginalized/disenfranchised groups such as dalit, janajatis, women, etc…..)

Adoption of international covenants, conventions and treaties:

  • Article 9 (2) of the 1990 Nepal Treaty Act should be included in interim constitution
  • The legislative should adopt such conventions, covenants and treaties after conducting hearing in parliament's human rights committee

Constitutional Council:

  • Speaker and Chief Justice headed by the Prime Minister

Judicial Council:

  • Law minister, senior justice of Supreme Court, senior lawyer and the representative of Nepal Bar Association under the chair of Chief Justice

Security Council:

  • Speaker, Defence minister, President of Parliament's Defence committee and Chief of Army Staff headed by Prime Minister

Nepali Army:

  • Practically kept under the Defence Ministry
  • Accountable to Defence Ministry and Parliament
  • Prime Minister as Supreme Commander of the Army
  • Military mobilization upon the recommendation by the security council and approved by the parliament after the hearing conducted in respective committees
  • Military's criminal activities must be brought to civilian court
  • Court martial and other secret hearing proceedings, must be ended


Annex- Authors Profile

Shobhakar Budhathoki, Human Rights Defender/Conflict Resolution Practitioner

Shobhakar Budhathoki, human rights defender and conflict resolution practitioner holds an MA in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego, USA, and has been actively involved in the protection and promotion of human rights since 1993. Mr. Budhathoki has worked as one of the coordinators of the Defend Human Rights Movement - Nepal, a coalition of human rights defenders and organizations formed after the King's coup in February 2005 formed to increase national and international support for the establishment of democracy, the protection of human rights, and the end of the autocratic regime. Budhathoki has recently been involved in campaign activities to increase awareness and support for initiatives to ensure justice for victims of the conflict and during the people's movement II (Janoandalan II). He is also engaged in the ongoing dialogue between civil society and parliament on the culture of imputing, security sector reforms, and the peace process. Mr. Budhathoki has worked as District Electoral Officer in the UN Assistance Mission in East Timor (1999) during the referendum period, as International Registration Supervisor in the UN Mission in Kosovo (2000), and as a Human Rights Officer in the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (2002- 2003). Mr. Budhathoki has authored numerous articles for international and national publications on issues relevant to peacebuilding, human rights, and the conflict in Nepal.

Karon Cochran - Budhathoki, Human Rights Defender/Conflict Resolution Practitioner

Karon Cochran - Budhathoki is a member of a Kathmandu - based coalition of human rights defenders, Defend Human Rights Movement - Nepal (DHRMN), formed on February 3, 2005 to collectively work with democratic forces in Nepal and the international community and to advocate for the protection of human rights, establishment of democracy, and initiation of a dialogue between the political party alliance and the CPN-Maoists. Until May 2006, she also worked as a human rights monitor/defender during pro-democracy demonstrations (Jana Andolan II). Ms. Budhathoki began her research of the conflict in Nepal in 2000 while working as a Program Officer at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ). While at the IPJ, she was responsible for assessments and/or analyses of the conflicts and peace processes in Nepal, Macedonia, Chechnya, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Uganda. In Nepal, she worked with women and other marginalized groups, political party leaders, and civil society on issues such as coalition-building, political participation, and negotiations. Prior to her work with the IPJ, Ms. Budhathoki was a Research Associate in the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center (TCC). She served as part of the TCC team that worked to restore bilateral relations between Sudan and Uganda and address each country's civil conflicts along their shared border. Ms. Budhathoki holds an MA in Peace & Justice Studies and an undergraduate degree in International Conflict Resolution.

In The News

Nepal Maoists disclose fighter strength: 36,000 Nepali security officials have estimated rebel strength at around 15,000 combatants versus a government army of 100,000 besides thousands of police. .... the Maoists had about 30,000 weapons, mainly seized from the security forces..... Landlocked Nepal has no air force or navy but the army operates several helicopters and small aircraft.
Nepali journalists in US to develop a common forum a new ad-hoc committee headed by Chief Editor of Nepali Post and Chairman of Nepal America Journalist Association, Girish Pokhrel .....
NC-D leaders for NC initiative on party unification "We want due respect and position after the unification," reports quoted Bal Bahadur KC as saying. KC said an ideological base is needed for unification. He stated his party split due to NC leadership running the party on a personal level and claimed it was due to the NC split that the country faced political upheaval. ....... election to the constituent assembly would be impossible before unification...... Dhundiraj Shastri said, "Party unification is desirable but dissolution of NC-D into NC is unacceptable." ...... He called for an alliance of democratic forces hinting on the possible alliance of leftists...... Khadka said, "We want Girija Prasad Koirala to call publicly for party unification." ...... NC-D remains undecided on the issue of ceremonial monarchy during the constituent assembly polls. NC president Koirala has already said NC favours ceremonial monarchy while UML and other leftists have announced their agenda for a democratic republic
Army court to be under SC: Thapa Kantipur Publications "No entity, including the military court, would be above the Supreme Court [once the interim constitution is promulgated]," said Shambhu Thapa, a member of the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee.
South Block "concerned" yet Nepal interlocutors hopeful
Govt programmes, policies against people's aspirations, says Dy PM Sherchan "The policies and programmes should have focussed on the interim constitution, interim government and peace process whereas it has paid least importance to these issues." ....... a day after his party vice-chairman Lila Mani Pokhrel expressed his serious dissatisfaction over the government programmes and policies ......
Don't forget understanding, says Sitaula to NC lawmakers parliament was "completely accountable" to the 12-point deal reached between the seven-party alliance (SPA) government and the Maoists. ..... MP Govindaraj Joshi expressed serious objection over the rebels' buying arms and ammunitions from neighbouring China and running a “temporary camp” at Kamidanda of Kavre district........
Maoists fine house owner Some 3000 Maoist cadres who came in a vehicle picketed Goel's house and chanted slogans against him this morning..... The Maoist trade union cadres later imposed a "fine" of Rs 8,900 and made Goel apologize in public.
Ailing PM Koirala begins moving around Koirala has started moving around slowly. Prachanda stresses tourism promotion
MPs continue discussion on govt programmes, policies
नीति तथा कार्यक्रम बहुमतले पारित
प्रधानमन्त्रीको विकल्प खोज्नु हुँदैन’
भूमिहीन आन्दोलित
प्रतिनिधिसभा कसैले विघटन गर्न सक्दैन ः ओली
घाइते माओवादी धमाधम अस्पतालमा
पाँच वर्षपछि प्रहरी चौकीमा
सम्पर्क भाषा र राष्ट्रभाषा समावेशी लोकतन्त्र देशको मुख्य नारा बनेको छ । यसको स्थापना गर्ने सशक्त माध्यम भाषा हो । यसबारे भने देशको ध्यान गएको छैन । ...... भारतीय भाषा भन्नाले हिन्दी, आसामी, गुजराती, मराठी, बंगाली, कन्नड, मलयालम आदि समेटिए जस्तै नेपाली भाषा भन्नाले नेवारी, मैथिली भोजपुुरी, थारू, गुरुङ, मगर, राई, लिम्बू, थकाली जो जनगणनाले जीवित भाषा भनी प्रमाणित गरी स्थापित गरेको छ, सबैलाई समेट्नुपर्छ । सबै जनता नेपाल्ाी भएपछि तिनले आफ्नो भूगोलमा बोल्ने भाषा गैरनेपाली हो भन्नु अन्याय हो ।
अन्तरिम संविधानमा अन्तरिम संसद्
Nepal Maoists say they have 36,000 soldiers Times of India, India
Nepal Maoists disclose they have 36,000 soldiers Zee News
Nepal Maoists disclose fighter strength: 36,000 Washington Post
Citizen Journalism Can Succeed in Nepal OhmyNews International, South Korea I am Umesh Shrestha, 29 ..... Since getting my bachelor's degree in journalism from Tribhuwan University in 2000 ..... When I saw my writings published in OMNI on the top page of Google news one day, I was very proud of that. Contrary to my expectations, I received US$200 as payment for my published stories that was transferred into my bank account. ...... Nepalese citizen reporters for OMNI are more numerous than from other countries.....
OhmyNews Changed My Perspective
OhmyNews International
Nepal: "light at end of tunnel" —for tribal peoples too? World War 4 Report, NY
Nepal Rebels Reveal Strength for First Time DefenseNews.com (subscription)