Two Links for Articles

Here is one Article published in SSRN.COM. This Article is written on the humanitarian law in Nepal. U can read it here:http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1099427

Another Link is Statement by Richard Bennett Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Delivered at the Nepal Bar Association Discussion on Disappearances
3 March 2008, Kathmandu.

U can read the speech here:

http://nepal.ohchr.org/en/resources/Documents/English/statements/HCR/Year2008/2008_03_04_%20Disappearances_meeting_NBA.pdf

Pakistani Lawyer Moves to Supreme Court of Nepal

A little disturbing news, if the contentions of the counsels are proved to be true, has been published by Nepalnews here.

A Pakistani lawyer has moved the Supreme Court (SC) in Nepal against what he called illegal arrest of two Pakistani citizens by the Nepal Police and their subsequent handing over to the Indian authorities about two years ago.

The two Pakistani citizens, Asif Ali and Walid Sajjad, had arrived in Kathmandu to explore business opportunities and were staying in Jagat Hotel, near the tourist hub of Thamel in Kathmandu before being picked up by the Nepal Investigation Department on the night of 12th July 2006 “without any apparent reason” or warrant issued against them. They were then reportedly handed over to the Indian intelligence agency at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

C.M. Farooq had filed a case against the illegal arrest of the two at the Supreme Court of Nepal under the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 on Feb 21. Following which the SC issued a show cause notice, ordering the authorities to produce the two Pakistani citizens in the court

“At the time of their arrest neither were they involved in any case nor had they violated any honorable law of Nepal. They were legally staying in Nepal on legal visa,” Farooq said in a statement issued afterwards.

Farooq said that in spite of all the efforts to release the two innocent Pakistani citizens, the only outcome was the access granted by the Indian Government to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to have a meeting with Asif Ali.

“It was through that meeting that we came to know Asif Ali was charged/implicated in a fake FIR number 59/2006 New Delhi, with different fake cases registered under sections 121, 121-A/ 122, /123/120-B, Indian Penal Code, 4/5 Explosive Substance Act, 18,2-B/23 Unlawful Activities, and 14 Foreign Act,” he said.

He said that because of shock, the father of Asif Ali had died. He said that Asif Ali was somewhat lucky as he had been located and granted Counsellor Access but his business partner, Walid Sajjad has been neither produced in any court of law nor his whereabouts are known.

“He is probably in the custody of Indian Intelligence agencies,” he said.

The two Pakistani businessmen dealt in readymade garments and used to regularly travel to Bangladesh and the Middle East. They were also said to have been carrying a substantial amount of money for business purposes

The families of the Pakistani businessmen came to know about the arrest of their dear ones through the media in July, 2006, which stated that two Pakistani nationals were arrested on suspicion of involvement in Mumbai train blasts.

OHCHR on Human Rights

Here is a report from Kantipur where OHCHR has called for respect of human Rights in Nepal.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has said the existing climate of impunity in Nepal must be transformed into a culture of accountability to bring successful transition to durable peace and development.

In a report, due to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, High Commissioner Louise Arbour has said, “Political will, lacking until now, is essential for such change.”

Arbour in the report further said the state has its obligation to protect the rights of the population to life, liberty and security.

“A coherent program to strengthen and reform security forces is urgently needed. Law enforcement agencies have a special role to play in ensuring the creation of a climate for

elections that are free of fear and intimidation,” the report said.

It said the peace process, including elections, provides a historic opportunity to create a fully inclusive and democratic state.

The report points out that progress toward strengthening national human rights system has been made through appointment of commissioners to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the signing or ratification of several international human rights instruments and promulgation of regulations providing quotas for marginalized groups and women.

“However, respect for and the protection of human rights came under increasing pressure in 2007 as a result of delays in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), together with a worsening security situation in the Terai, resulting in increased violence,” the report states.

OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett, said his office is ready to provide all necessary support and technical assistance to achieve necessary progress.

“Strengthening the national human rights system, including support for NHRC and national institutions, will be an essential component of the Office’s strategy to support the process of change in Nepal,” Bennett said.

PM asks SC to drop one million per MP case

Here is a report from Kantipur about Prime Minister Koirala’s request to drop on million per MP Case. I have no access to original words or rather language in Nepali  what exactly PM said but Kantipur reports that PM asked SC to drop the case.

With all the respect that PM deserves, I feel pity on his statement. What is he saying? Does PM think that SC can take any case as it likes and can drop cases at anytime it wants. There is a rule of Law in Nepal where procedural laws must be complied. I think what PM intended to say is that the case must be dismissed by the SC. But, if that is what his intention is, that should come through reply to the case in SC when it is submitted by Government through the office of Attorney General. And the report suggest us that he said this when he replied to show cause notice to SC on the case. I have a very big problem on this matter regarding the procedural aspects of hearing cases where the case is instituted against government. I will elaborate on this further on coming days. For a time being, You can read the news here and below:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has asked the Supreme Court in writing to drop the case relating to the one million rupees given to each parliamentarians under the Election Constituency Development Fund. Replying to a show cause notice issued by the Supreme Court on Monday, Koirala argued that the court should no longer consider the writ petition questioning the one million rupees for lawmakers as the government has already revoked its previous decision to give the money. Currently there are two writ petitions in the apex court against the government decision on giving the money to lawmakers.

Earlier also, we had reported on the development of this case.