20/05/2019: As protest mounts, media bill draws ruling party members’ ire: Senior leaders and party-affiliated journalists now openly criticise the government and information minister over controversial bill, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Journalists close to NCP suggest amendments (ht), Ruling NCP hints at revising controversial media laws under pressure (rep), FNJ announces fresh protests (ht), Social roots of authoritarianism: We blame the prime minister’s ‘authoritarian’ tendencies for constricting the  space of civil society, but we need to do some introspection, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Bill to coordinate three tiers of govt tabled (ht), Gross misuse of budget in the name of users’ groups, by Matrika Dahal (rep)

19/05/2019: One-upmanship game in ruling party as power play intensifies: Insiders say Dahal is in a bid to accumulate strength to put pressure on Oli to honour understanding, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Spokespersons, please step aside: The call of transparent governance is to hold briefings and provide answers with respect and dignity, by P Kharel (kp), Newborns dying in sheds in Bajura (ht), Cancel constituency development program (rep), Sex and society: A society that expects women to be virgin until the day they get married and expects these women to become sex slaves will never know the impact women have in changing history, by Ushma Rebel (rep), Contractors oppose law barring graft-accused to bid govt projects (rep) [Nepal cannot develop without flourishing corruption???]

18/05/2019: Rights activists say Oli government heading towards authoritarian rule, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Journalists continue protest across country, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Journalists hit streets against Media Council Bill (ht), Journos demonstrate against anti-press bills (rep), Project selection  process hindered  in provinces with Centre tight-lipped on its schemes, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Heads and Tales: Oli is back! If you ask the real  Oli then the reason he’d offer is he  dreams of the political system set up there. Vietnam is a  Marxist-Leninist one-party state, by Guffadi (kp), Merger as NCP fails to erase past identities as UML, Maoist: Left leaning analysts say the unification of the ruling NCP could collapse at any time if the top leaders don't work to assimilate their political, ideological and organizational strengths immediately (rep), Acid attack survivor Magar comes forward to support another victim, by Sonam Lama (rep)

17/05/2019: Media barred from covering SAGGC meet: Opposition MPs say decision against democratic principles, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), FNJ to stage sit-in to protest Media Council Bill (ht), Media Council Bill, by by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), Govt petition in TJ case scheduled for hearings after years (rep), US worried by probe into dissemination of news on Dalai (rep), As ruling party marks one year of merger, leaders still undecided on political ideology: The erstwhile UML is for People’s Multi-party Democracy while  the former Maoists are for 21st-century People’s Democracy, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), A 20-year-old woman battles for life after her husband hurled acid at her: Last fiscal year alone, four acid attacks were reported across the country, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [This reflects the value of women in the extremely patriarchal state and society of Nepal!], Choose the best: Let’s have no more political  appointments at universities (kp) [And please remove the Prime Minister's function as head of all universities and academies that was taken over from the erstwhile monarchy!], BRI And Indo-Pacific Strategy, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn)

16/05/2019: National Human Rights Commission objects to Media Council Bill: If endorsed in present form, it will be against the basic principles of human rights and freedom of expression, watchdog says, by Binod Ghimire (kp), NHRC concerned about freedom of expression (ht), Journalists slam Media Council Bill (ht), Musahar families denied access to water after an intercaste marriage dispute, by Binu Timsina (kp), Silent screams: Overcrowding and inhumane conditions are the hallmarks of Nepali prisons (kp), NC wants bills that contradict constitution withdrawn: Threatens protests if bills on  media council, NHRC, national security are not amended (ht), CIAA ex-commissioner out on bail: Pathak posts Rs 7.8-million bail, a Special Court record, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [???], Listen to lawmakers: The upcoming fiscal budget must be prepared based on the suggestions given by lawmakers during the pre-budget debates (ht)

15/05/2019: Fringe communist parties launch a movement against the ruling Nepal Communist Party, calling them ‘fascists’: Led by Mohan Baidya and CP Gajurel, four parties and one communist front have vowed to expose the ‘anti-national activities’ of the government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Stick to your  mandate: MPs should stick to legislating and let local units carry out development plans (kp), Govt getting ready to ratify Palermo Protocol, by Sonam Lama (rep), There will be no excuse for justifying budget underspending next fiscal: FinMin (rep) [The govt claimed similar things a year ago!]

14/05/2019: A heavy hand: The Media Council Bill further endangers press freedom (kp), Media council bill draws flak from MPs, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Mass media draft bill draws heavy flak, by Ram Kumabr Kamat (ht), Speaker, NA chair assure FNJ of amending anti-press provisions in bills (rep), Media Council Bill in favour of journalists: Minister Baskota (ht) [This brazen minister is making idiots of the whole nation!], Justice, interrupted: The NHRC is an important constitutional body and it should be allowed to function independently, by Gyan Basnet (kp), Leaders say ruling party is using fear and coercion to control them: Nepal Communist Party insiders say internal democracy is  on the wane while individual freedom is being curtailed, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Lawmakers lobby for hiking constituency development fund: If allotted as per the demand, budget for them will reach a whopping Rs 21 billion, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [A very special form of corruption!], Disputes galore over jurisdictions of federal and local governments, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Two years on, Nepali women still barred from working in the Gulf as housemaids: Latest recommendations urge the government to revoke discriminatory restrictions and allow all women equal access to employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Figment of third force: The viability of an alternative force is contingent on its commitment to democracy, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Slow capital expenditure continues to bedevil development projects, by Rajesh Khanal (kp), In Pursuit Of Wellbeing, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

13/05/2019:  Journalists’ group begins struggle against Media Council Bill: The legislation to replace Press Council Act will have power to issue hefty fines and give the government more say in the hiring and firing of council members, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Three journalists are under investigation for publishing news about the Dalai Lama: Communication Minister Gokul Baskota admitted he ordered the probe into  reporters working for the state-owned wire service after publishing the news  on the exiled Tibetan leader when the President was on a state visit to China, by Anil Giri (kp) [?????], Media society seeks bill’s withdrawal (ht), Umbrella body of journos launches protest, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Don’t gag the press: A govt-appointed body can never qualify to monitor the Nepali media, unless the government’s intention is to gag it and have it tow its line (ht), Nepal Media Bill: Experts advise FNJ to challenge anti-media bills in court (rep), PM Oli’s claim that Kathmandu is ‘dust free’ is far from reality: City residents say VIPs who move around in air conditioned vehicles  are unaware of the Valley’s ground reality, by Anup Ojha (kp), Government stops reimbursing health facilities for offering free treatment to ‘disadvantaged’: Dozens of state and private health facilities have signed the agreement with the ministry and have been providing services accordingly, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Keep aside budget for consolidating federalism: MPs, by Jagdishor Panday (kp), Police face new challenges in drive against Chand outfit, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep)

12/05/2019: Supreme Court set to hear review petition on its landmark 2015 ruling: Conflict victims are cautious as reversal of the verdict, which struck down amnesty provisions, could jeopardise transitional justice process, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Bill on Nepal Media: New law seeks up to Rs 10m fine, 15 yrs jail for erring media persons: Govt may confiscate media equipment, by Ashok Dahal (rep), IFJ, FNJ ask govt to drop harsh provisions in proposed media law (rep), Let the press be free (rep), ‘Ban on women from working as maids in Gulf countries unfair’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Women rebuilding Chhau sheds in  Chhaupadi  free areas of Bajhang: Local representatives’ awareness drive in Saipal Rural Municipality was ineffective, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), The scourge of cults: Personality cults are dangerous. And even more so for democracies, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Protest Against Patriarchy, by Deepesh Paudel (kp), Old wine in new bottle: The government’s policies and programmes for 2019-20 look like more of the same, by Jagadish Prasad Bist (kp), Jog your memory: Historical amnesia has hit Nepali politics and politicians alike, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Scan bills that curtail rights of sub-national govts: Speaker, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Govt against statute amendment: Bhandari (ht), National ID cards find no use (rep)

11/05/2019: Proposed media bill envisions new press council with increased government role: A new body overseeing the press could alter the nature of the self-regulatory body and limit press freedom, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), FNJ denounces provisions of media council bill (ht), Benefits for Thapa-led group concern leaders fromthe Maoist stream in unified communist party: Leaders joining the erstwhile Maoist force from splinter groups including the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal have been left high and dry, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Leader of CPN’s student wing held (ht), House panel directs govt to ready federal laws at the earliest (rep) [This would meant at least one year agao!]

10/05/2019: New bill ‘aims at curtailing press freedom’: Proposes fines up to Rs 1 million against media outlets, editors, journalists for ‘damaging someone’s reputation’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Govt drafts bill with harsher provisions on media, journos, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Press and freedom, by Gunjan Upadhyay (rep), Communism and Nepal: The opinion that Nepal will turn into a one-party communist state is preposterous, by Lok Raj Baral (kp), Agitated residents, traders shut down unrepaired Bouddha road: At least four protesters and a member of the police force were injured in the brief scuffle, by Anish Regmi (kp) [The imcompetent politicians and administrators had promised the repair years ago!], Locals protest road construction delay, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Contractor buckles under pressure (ht), Creative freedom and fragile sentiments: Does literature need to always put righteousness before aesthetics?, by Dinesh Kafle (kp), Improve human development index, NIC told (ht), Survey is wakeup call for Nepal government: Public opinion poll shows the people’s trust in government is falling sharply, by Rameshwar Bohara (nt), Federalism, rule of law and the judiciary: The Constitution alone cannot reshape a culture that accepts impunity, backroom deals and horse-trading as normal, by George Varughese and Iain Payne (nt)

09/05/2019: INSEC raises alarm over NHRC Act amendment bill (rep), Government quietly moves Media Council bill to House: Transparency and participatory law-making processes are being overlooked, stakeholders say, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), Parties in negotiations to get ‘their’ people in transitional justice bodies: Victims say such political interference could jeopardise transitional justice process, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [It's always the same! These failed and dishonest politicians and parties will never change! They want to prevent justice for the victims at all costs!], Linger no more: The delay in naming the provincial capital is keeping the people in a state of  confusion and  preventing the govt from investing in  infrastructure (ht)

08/05/2019: Time to intervene: The government has failed to acknowledge the failure of previous commissions, ignored victims’ pressure and their key demands for legal amendment, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (rep), Nepal should not backslide on human rights, by Meenakshi Ganguly (kp), Congress accuses Speaker of siding with government: Opposition leaders demand Oli’s remarks be removed from record, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ruling, opposition parties at loggerheads in House: Govt’s policies and programmes endorsed amidst chaos, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), PM, oppn MPs in heated debate after Oli’s ‘demeaning’ remarks (rep), ‘My govt’ included with due consideration, not by mistake: PM (rep) [Dream on!], Name provinces, fix capitals (rep)

07/05/2019: Bhattarai, Yadav launch Samajbadi Party in bid to create an alternative force: Analysts doubt the new political outfit can make much of an impact, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bhattarai, Yadav form new party, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Human capital for growth: The economic and political landscape for the rest of the century will be influenced by the international flow of human capital, by Narayan Prasad Wagle (kp), One’s identity, one’s pride: No need for consolation, by Mim Bahadur Pariyar (ht), Erosion of political capital: The erosion of political capital created after the promulgation of new constitution is leading to a rising level of public frustration which might trigger mass demonstration and disorder, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (rep), Sanskrit for Dalits: In the past, untouchables were not allowed to read and write Sanskrit. Sanskrit was considered to be the subject meant only for Brahmins. The situation has not changed, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep), Media In Democratisation, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

06/05/2019: Undermining democracy: The government seeks to weaken the Human Rights Commission by changing the law, by Gyan Basnet (kp), FNJ announces national campaign for press freedom (ht), As Oli prepares to visit Cambodia and Vietnam, questions are being asked—why? Prime minister should set his priorities right when it comes to visiting foreign countries, experts say, by Anil Giri (kp), Four men caught for slaughtering ox, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [Many greetings from the Hindu state!!], Humla forgotten: Push for double digit growth means nothing when places like Humla are left behind (kp), Only 10 percent of Poor ID cards distributed in seven years: While households not identified as poor have already received their cards, by Rajesh Khanal (kp), Govt to regulate NGOs, says Baskota (ht) [???], Ambitious goals: The govt’s target of achieving double digit growth within four years is not viable unless it improves the spending capacity (ht), Whose government is it anyway? (rep)

05/05/2019: Human rights commission might withdraw officer from recommendation committee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Disease, hunger and chronic poverty kill people in Humla: Doctors on the ground say living conditions are terrible in the district, by Arjun Poudel (kp), PM’s claim to complete rebuilding projects in a year far from reality: Records at National Reconstruction Authority, which has plans for the next three years, show a huge funding gap, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Leaving out practical projects and tasks, govt talks up fancy ideas (rep), Against popular perception, Oli claims to have checked corruption, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Bhattarai, Yadav agree to merge parties to form Samajbadi Party Nepal: Two leaders to head federal council and central committee, insiders say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), FSF-N, NSP-N parties unify New political entity will be named Samajwadi Party Nepal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), FSFN, Naya Shakti to merge as Samajbadi Party Nepal, by Ashok Dahal (rep), The numbers keep changing: The reconstruction process is stymied by lack of reliable data on earthquake survivors, by Prakash Budha Magar (kp), Erosion of reason: Why cannot Nepali intellectual community give a clear opinion on pressing political issues? What has led to this intellectual slackening?, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep)

04/05/2019: Laws are being designed to stifle press freedom in Nepal, a new report says: The report is the second in two days to point to a ‘legal  stranglehold’ over press freedom, showing how laws are being  used to harass and silence journalists, by Tsering D Gurung (kp) [See IFJ report The Legal Stranglehold], Siraha woman, 21, found dead in suspicious circumstances, by Bharat Jarghamagar (kp), Whose government is it anyway? People ask as President presents annual policies and programmes: Use of ‘mero sarkar’ in the document invited criticism and ridicule on social media. But ‘this is very much the President’s government,’ PM’s adviser defends, by Anil Giri (kp), Policies And Programs Of Government For FY 2019, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), Policy and Programs for FY 2019/20: Govt mum on last year's commitments but projects record high growth (rep), Govt envisions rapid economic growth, by Sujan Dhungana (ht), President hints at populist programmes in upcoming budget, by Rajesh Khanal (kp), Project list forwarded sans PM’s nod: OPMCM (ht), Shift the Capital! We can solve some of our VVIP-induced traffic jams if we shift the capital elsewhere. Chitwan would be  the best place to shift our Very Very Irritating People who have no shame wasting our taxpayers money, by Guffadi (kp), What if? Why is it necessary for the full squadron of ministers and battalions of top ranking officers to be present at the airport for every goings and comings of VIPs?, by Hemant Arjyal (rep), Democracy and the Rule of Law in Federal Nepal, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (Nepal Observer 57)

03/05/2019: Victims pressure government to amend Transitional Justice Act: Rights defenders and victims’ groups ask authorities to halt  process to appoint officials, by Binod Ghimire (kp), The fourth estate: Free press is a pillar of democracy and it should be allowed to function unhindered (kp), Media freedom protects and supports us all, by Richard Morris (kp), Government must uphold press freedom: AI Nepal (ht), Journalists still working under threat: NHRC chair Sharma (rep), Long shadows, by Sewa Bhattarai (nt), In quest for the ‘third force’, Bhattarai and Yadav discuss party merger: Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal and Janamukti Nepal also join talks, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Avoid royal show: The head of the state needs special security and state honours; but this does not mean one needs to cling on to the royal culture (ht)

02/05/2019: Fostering impunity: Proposed amendment to NHRC Act 2012 does a disservice to justice delivery (kp), Threats to press freedom have only increased in Nepal, report says: Even as violations of press freedom nearly doubled in the last 12 months, the administration is formulating tighter laws, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp) [see report by Freedom Forum], 104 cases of press freedom violations in a year (ht), FNJ organises rally for press freedom (ht), Shades of single-party rule: The Prime Minister’s Office seeks to keep a firm grip on the entire state machinery, by Kushal Pokharel (kp), Only 22 percent of working-age women are employed in Nepal: There is also gender pay gap and it must close, experts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Women working in informal sectors put forward five-point demand to labor ministr, by Somam Lama (rep), Two major police units operating from tents for the last four years: While officials continue to face difficulties, authorities say there is  a lack of budget to build proper infrastructure, by Nayak Paudel (kp), President’s arrival affects TIA departures: Foreigners who embarked on mountain flights and were to fly back home later miss their flights (ht), Right to food sovereignty still a far cry, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), ‘65 pc cases of violence against women occur inside home’ (ht) [see WOREC Nepal report]

01/05/2019: NHRC proposes making its recommendations binding on govt (rep), Bill to amend Human Rights Commission Act raises fierce debate: The powers of national rights watchdog are being curtailed, say opposition MPs, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Members, MPs flay govt for bid to keep rights watchdog on tight leash, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Dahal hints at toppling Province 2 government (ht), Dahal’s warning to topple Province 2 government draws criticism: Leaders and experts say such remarks are against spirit of federalism, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Neither the central government nor the co-chairman of a political party has the right to interfere in the affairs of a federal province. The central political leaders obviously lack any understanding of federalism!], TJA can’t be amended from Mandala: Law minister (ht), Women’s empowerment: Still an uphill task, by Kokila Khadka KC (ht), SC releases man held for waving black flag at PM (rep) [PM Oli obviously regards every criticism of his person as an sacrilege and would like to see such criminals punished for life!]

30/04/2019: They are citizens too: Nepali mothers should be able to pass citizenship on to their children via their name, by Pratik Gurung (kp), Conflict victims demand amendment to Transitional Justice Act (ht), Deuba and Dahal discuss ways to take transitional justice process forward: The two leaders want to form a common position  so as to put pressure on Oli, sources say, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Both these leaders are responsible for the great number of victims! One initiated the civil war, the other one has been responsible for the mobilisation of the army and the escalation of the conflict!], No to pork barrel: The CISP has faced criticism in the past as it is largely geared towards giving the elected lawmakers an edge during the elections and purchase votes with patronage (ht)

29/04/2019: NCP MPs want hike in pork barrel spending, by Jagdishor Panday (ht) [The uncontrolled and self-interested investment of money by the MPs elected under the FPTP system is a grave and very special form of corruption!!], FNJ concerned about deteriorating press freedom (ht), Empower minorities: It is the constitutional duty of the three tiers of government to protect the language and culture of the marginalised communities (ht), Govt yet to dispatch 5.5 million copies of school textbooks to districts (ht), Mockery of socialism: Prime Minister committed to zero tolerance against corruption when he took office in 2017. Now this commitment is mocking at his face for his administration has failed to control corruption, by Prakash Acharya (rep)

28/04/2019: Nothing done to create special, protected or autonomous regions, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Federal government shows no signs of devolving power, chief ministers say: Province representatives least convinced by prime minister’s promise at inter-state council meeting, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Where from here? The government needs to talk less and do more work, by Udayan Regmi (kp), Minister Baskota slams media (ht) [Another statement by the government, which only aims to undermine freedom of the press and freedom of expression!], Know their interests: One of the reasons Indo-Pacific advocates are focused on Nepal is due to our strategic importance, so distinctive for global power’s attention, by Suresh Sharma (rep)

27/04/2019: Apex court orders halt on citizenship, complicating matters further: An interim order asking that the ongoing process of granting citizenship by descent to children of those with citizenship by birth will only create more problems, some officials believe, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), RJP-N to launch  nationwide protest against government (ht)

26/04/2019: Blindness of insight: The amalgamation of Oli-path and Aditya-path will be the undoing of secularism in Nepal, by Dinesh Kafle (kp), Amid reservations, government bent on amending Human Rights Act: Rights watchdog says the move is aimed at reducing its role as an agency subordinate to the government, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Slow recovery: Four years since the quake, and people are still in temporary shelters (kp), Crowded Kathmandu’s few remaining open spaces are steadily encroached upon: Khula Manch housed thousands after 2015 earthquake. Now, there is space barely for half a dozen families, by Anup Ojha (kp), Post-quake recovery works hit as 4,000 workers resign en masse: Technicians hired by the National Reconstruction Authority say they quit as they did not get any allowance and facilities, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Police record statement from Kiran’s family: NCP stands against its members protesting teen’s custody death, by Parwat Portel (kp), TJ bodies receive 60 applications for chairs, members, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Statute implementation found wanting: Jamarkattel (ht), Untouchability thriving in rural Bajura (ht), Scientific land use: Gateway to prosperity, by Santosh Paudel (ht)

25/04/2019: Looking back to look forward: The restoration of democracy came at a cost. Let’s not forget that (kp), Conflict victims’ associations to recommend names for transitional justice bodies: But they lay stress on an amendment to the existing act before new leaderships assume offices, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Slow progress: NRA has been slow in the post-quake reconstruction works thanks to its inefficiency, political interference and shortage of resources (ht), Pace of reconstruction taking forever to pick up: Cash crunch a major setback, says NRA (ht), Four years after Nepal’s deadly earthquakes, survivors continue to live in disarray: Many survivors of the 2015 earthquakes say financing reconstruction of their homes and the burden of loans have become major challenges, pushing them further into poverty, by Tsering Ngodup Lama and Arpan Shrestha (kp), Grant delay disappoints homeless victims, by Sarita Shrestha (rep), Many families in Valley’s core areas are forced to live in quake-damaged houses: Seventy percent of quake-hit families have not demolished their homes for reconstruction, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Time for reckoning: Four years after earthquakes (rep), Nepal’s pseudo-federalism: Leaders and bureaucrats do not want to give up the power they have been holding, by Kunja Rai (kp), New bill deprives  provinces of right to prosecute criminals, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), NHRC tells govt to ease woes of elderly (ht)

24/04/2019: Loktantra Day: People injured in police brutality decry government’s apathy, by Mohan Budhaair (kp), Leadership failed to follow principle of inclusivity, ruling party leaders say: District committees announced on Sunday, concluding the unification, have only three women, two Dalits and 19 Janajatis as chiefs, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Rs 429b needed to complete reconstruction, says authority, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Centre’s decision to recruit teachers on its own further deepens dispute with local level, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Rights activists picket DAO demanding justice for Nirmala, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), The binds that tie: Intergovernmental collaboration a must if we want to make federalism work (kp)

23/04/2019: Human rights watchdog censures police bid to enter its Nepalgunj office: National Human Rights Commission terms the action an attack on its independence and autonomy, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Rebuilding of schools after quake faces funding gap of Rs 27 billion: Thousands of children will be studying in makeshift structures  for a few more years, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Reconstructed schools lack toilets (ht), The fallacy of false precision: Govt using obsolete investment, growth model, by Rupak D Sharma (ht), Democratic Citizenship, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

22/04/2019: Families of windstorm victims denied relief due to lack of documents, by Laxmi Sah (kp), Fear among storm victims yet to subside (ht), Jumping on the gravy train: The linkages between Nepal’s private sector and corruption is increasing, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Enact umbrella laws: The umbrella laws required for the creation of provincial structures, including the Provincial Judicial Service Commission, should be enacted as early as possible (ht), Aid for empowerment: Building capacity of LGs, by Prakash Paudel (ht), Centre has not internalised federalism, says CM Poudel (ht), Don’t curtail powers of NHRC (rep), Footprints of uncertainty: Nepali governments have a habit of engaging in negotiations only when a conflagration breaks out. Biplav proved to be a tougher nut to crack than Oli-Dahal had imagined, by P Kharel (rep)

21/04/2019: Pressure mounts on ruling party to take action against general secretary: Bishnu Poudel’s Baluwatar land deal has put him into a controversy but leadership is maintaining silence, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Enrolment drive a ritual if poor families don’t get support, experts say: Stakeholders stress need to ensure opportunity costs for extremely marginalised communities so that they can send their children to school, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ministers ignore wards undereducational guardianship, by Binu Timsina (kp) [Leading politicians only love the show; they never mean what they say!!], Human Rights Commission objects to bill to amend its Act, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Bitter pill to swallow: Dr Govinda KC has legitimate demands, ones that affect the quality of your healthcare directly, by Jiwan Kshetry (kp), Provincial Justice Service Commission: Ministry lacks clarity on umbrella law, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht)

20/04/2019: 14 RPP leaders held from Shanti Batika (ht) [The action initiated by Kamal Tapa was a grave militant aggression against the secular foundations of multireligious and multicultural modern Nepal!], Govt brings bill to coordinate federal tiers, by Ashok Dahal (rep), More Chand cadres quit party, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep)

19/04/2019: Justice delayed: The entire peace process will remain incomplete unless the victims get justice, reparation and fair treatment from the state (ht), End impunity: Don’t make mockery of HR, by Ram Dayal Rakesh (ht), UN letter on transitional justice process puts government in a bind: Officials say the agency has tried to portray Nepal in a way that  inaccurately shows the country has done nothing, by Anil Giri (kp) [And why have you prevented justice for the victims for 13 years and instead protected and promoted perpetrators?], Intimidation game: The criminalisation of legitimate journalistic activity should not be taken lightly (kp), Nepal has failed to ensure full press freedom: Reporters Without Borders, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Strike disrupts life in Sudurpaschim (kp), Blasts, hoaxes, arson mark CPN’s general strike (ht) [Only criminals organise strikes against the interests of the people, destroy their properties and endanger their lives!!], Arms surrender deadline for Chand ends, focus now on talks (rep), Nepal is being loved to death: Four years after the earthquake, we Nepalis have got really good at playing victim, by Anil Chitrakar (nt)

18/04/2019: UN pushes Nepal to amend Transitional Justice Act in a strongly worded letter: UN officials, in a 10-page letter, also reminded the Foreign Ministry  of their repeated requests for a visit by the Special Rapporteur, by Binod Ghimire (kp), UN concerned about sluggish transitional justice process (ht), UN rapporteurs for transparency in TRC, CIEDP members appointments (rep), Application deadline for chairs, members of TRC, CIEDP extended till April 30 (ht), Government’s existing and proposed legislation threaten press freedom, experts say; Dozens of journalists have been charged with cybercrime since the Electronic Transaction Act came into effect a decade ago, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), FNJ to stage sit-in at DAO today (ht), Seventeen Bibeksheel Nepali cadres arrested (ht), Prosperity from below: Policy makers and politicians are reluctant to recognize, expand and lead the country toward prosperity in a socially and ecologically sustainable manner, by Khem Lal Bishwakarma (rep)

17/04/2019: Oh no, not this again: Transitional justice seems to be walking blind; that’s why it keeps falling into holes, by Mohna Ansari (kp), Capital spending at 35pc till mid-April: Government urged to clear bottlenecks  at bureaucratic and contracting level (ht)

16/04/2019: Transitional justice bodies: Recommendation panel extends deadline for applications by 10 days; 40 people, including retired judges, are in the race, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Journalist arrested on charge of cybercrime for publishing news on financial fraud: Reporters, freedom of speech campaigners condemn the arrest saying journalism is not cybercrime, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), Gearing towards a Hindu republic: Perceived lack of good governance from the secular republic means the conversation is moving back to notions of a Hindu state, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Balance in a turbulent world: Maintaining a strategic balance between China, India and the US-led Western world remains a challenge for Nepal. But some recent events show we may be losing this balance, by Prakash Chandra Lohani (rep) [The leadership of the Western world by the USA is increasingly being questioned under its current president. India's Indo-Pacific security interests also differ substantially from the ideas of the Americans, who primarily orient themselves along their own interests and power claims. Accordingly, Nepal must concentrate on its own security interests or to say it with Trump: Nepal first!], Stability of Political Life, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

15/04/2019: Bill to amend National Human Rights Commission Act alarms experts: Provision authorises attorney general to decide on recommendations, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp) [A further step by the government to enforce impunity!], ‘Bid to render national rights body toothless’, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Flaws in government mechanism led to misappropriation of funds, auditor general’s report says: The flaws reflect weak implementation of laws by the KP Sharma Oli administration, by Rajesh Khanal (kp), Arrears on the rise: The ever-increasing arrears cannot be minimised unless the government revamps the existing accounting system (ht), ‘Taming secessionists an achievement’, by Jagdishor Panday (ht) [There is obviously some misunderstanding, Mr Oli. CK Raut claims that you agreed on a referendum on secession; that's why he formed the 'Referendum Party'!], Government urged to improve state of jails (ht)

14/04/2019: Parliament Secretariat spent millions illegally: OAG, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Reckless expenses have gone up, says OAG report (ht), No future for Madhes-based parties: CK Raut (ht), 'Mafia' grabbed 1,860 ropani govt land in 6 yrs post-Panchayat, by Matrika Dahal (rep), A year mired in big time corruption (rep), Way forward for transitional justice (rep), Reviewing transitional justice: The government formed a committee to recommend new commissioners in TJ bodies without adequate consultations with the victims, by Ram Kumar Bhandari (rep), Former Maoist child soldier reaches out to UN over injustice: Lenin Bista urges special representative of the UN Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict to put pressure on government to address the concerns of former child soldiers, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Why Dalits convert: Dalits are strong Hindu believers but they have been segregated and are not allowed to enter Hindu temples while other castes are, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep) [The Bahun and Chhetri 'leaders', especially those from RPP and Nepali Congress, are against conversion and pro Hindu state only because they want to preserve the discrimination and servitude of the Dalits!!], Promises of prosperity from Rara Lake last year look elusive, by Rudra Pangeni (rep), Parliament panel says government failed to deliver on many promises: The government had promised a double digit economic growth and the reconstruction of all private houses damaged by the 2015 earthquakes, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)

13/04/2019: Call for competent people in transitional justice bodies: Faulty process was responsible for picking inept people in the past, rights defender says, by Binod Ghimire (kp), TJ bodies spent Rs 460 million in four years, conflict victims still await justice: Despite spending millions of rupees in the salaries, neither of the two commissions could prosecute even a single perpetrator (rep), Government plans to set up annual regional dialogue: Through ‘Sagarmatha Dialogue’, the government wants to raise issues of climate change, and promote Nepal’s peace process and social inclusion, by Anil Giri (kp), Doctors’ Responsibility, by Kushal Pokharel (rn)

12/04/2019: Slow boat to justice: The government keeps dilly-dallying while frustrated conflict victims keep waiting, by Geja Sharma Wagle (kp), CIEDP commissioners retire without accomplishing given tasks (rep), ‘Offsprings of citizens by birth entitled to citizenship by descent’ (ht) [But still with patriarchal bias!], Inequality, Inclusive Growth And Nepal, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn)

11/04/2019: A democratic nightmare: A sure way of killing democratic culture is by jettisoning collective decision-making (kp), The Centralist Mind-set, by Mukti Rijal (rn), After promises failed, secretaries told to focus on ‘flagship’ projects: It is implementation, not the addition of loaded phrases  in policies and programmes, that matters, officials say, by Anil Giri (kp), Medical association calls meeting to find a way out to ongoing doctors’ strike: Agitating government doctors provide medical care from hospitals’ premises, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Patients treated under open sky as docs’ strike drags on, by Santosh Pokharel (rep), Govt doctors’ protest continues: Strike hits poor people who can’t visit private hospitals the most, by Anita Shrestha (ht), Women groups in Kailali empower rural women, by Ganesh Chaudhary (kp), Inter-government dialogue: For federalism without conflict, by Har Govinda Pandey (ht)

10/04/2019: Democracy within ruling and opposition parties is waning, lawmakers say: NCP leaders say their chairman rarely listens to anyone, while Nepali Congress lawmakers say the party president functions in a unilateral style, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Govt doctors continue to halt health services (ht), ‘Docs’ strike violates Nepalis’ right to health’ (ht), Patients continue to suffer as doctors and government stand their ground, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Keep fiscal order: Easy fiscal transfers are likely to increase the dependency of the local governments on the centre instead of trying to raise revenue to finance their expenditure (ht), Legal and constitutional experts find fault with Judicial Council’s structure, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)

09/04/2019: Recommendation panel calls for applications in transitional justice bodies, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Police baton charge RPP supporters (ht), Police baton-charge RPP protestors in capital, detain 20 in Pokhara, by Biken K Dawadi (rep) [This police action is a crime, regardless of the anti-national policies advocated by the demonstrators!], Supreme Court stays govt circular allowing citizenship by descent (ht) [The circular upholds the inequality of women either!], Implementation of fiscal discipline challenging at local levels: WB (ht), Waning public faith: Faith in the system can only be restored if leaders connect with the people at a profound emotional level, by Kushal Pokharel (kp), Statehood, Nationhood & Peoplehood, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Most Chand outfit leaders, cadres out on bail: Police, by Biken K Dawadi (rep)

08/04/2019: Process of selecting TRC, CIEDP members okayed: Conflict victims not impressed, lambast recommendation panel for ‘unilateral decision’, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), A new approach: Victims must be placed at the centre of the reconciliation process (kp), Tools of impunity and political control: The politicisation of the judiciary has led to the erosion of the public’s trust in it, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), Delusion of democracy: The internet, designed to enable the free flow of information, scares governments, by Bimal Pratap Shah (kp), As government doctors go on strike, the country’s poor suffer the most: Several state-run health facilities were overwhelmed on Sunday by patients, most of whom were visiting from outside of Kathmandu, only to be refused medical care, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [The legitimacy of a medical strike is extremely limited. As soon as patients are seriously endangered, it becomes a crime!], Ruling NCP leaders ‘reaching out’ to Chand party leaders for talks: Ruling party leader Janardan Sharma is holding talks with high-level Chand party leaders in a bid to bring them to mainstream politics, an aide to the former home minister says, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), CPN: a major security threat in Gandaki Province, by Sandesh Shrestha (rep), The Chinese are coming: Recovering Nepal from Chinese embrace has preoccupied Delhi but balanced ties with China and India are Nepal’s political compulsion and sovereign necessity. Unsettling it will invite back-breaking repercussions, by P Kharel (rep)

07/04/2019: Conflict victims seek role in appointments in transitional justice bodies: Groups advocating for conflict victims warn they will not accept  the process if officials are picked without ‘meaningful consultation', by Binod Ghimire (kp), Voting for change: An integrated electoral system will not only limit electioneering costs but also make the representatives responsible to their voters, by Birendra P Mishra (kp)

06/04/2019: Confusion on exercising concurrent powers persists, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), After mega projects, government assigns Army to construct homes: Security experts say the government decision could give  a message that the country’s civil administration has failed, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Impossible promises: Our comrades have either lost their minds or they have become too big for their boots because they have a majority in parliament, by Guffadi (kp), Doctors’ strike hits patients hard across country (ht), Near 50,000 patients hit by doctors' strike (rep), ‘Judiciary in the clutches of interest groups’ (rep)

05/04/2019: Govt’s apathy promoting impunity: NHRC (ht), Rescind orders against free press: Nepal Media Society: ‘We have seen how such moves in the past by those drunk on power have boomeranged on them' (kp), Restrictions on issuing press identity cards draw Nepal Media Society flak, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Two steps back: The government wants to keep  journalists on a tight leash (kp), Past agendas likely to dominate second Inter-State Council meet: The meeting, which is slated to take place in the last week of April, will look to settle the same set of issues concerning devolution of authority, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), CMs advise PM to avoid project duplication (ht), Political chaos: Tensions currently engulfing Nepali politics could be a distraction created by the NCP to cover its shortcomings, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Inequality, Inclusive Growth And Nepal, by Hira Bahadur Thapa (rn)

04/04/2019: Citizenship relief for children of  citizens by birth: District administrative offices told to grant them citizenship by descent, by Roshan S Nepal (ht) [The cheering can only come from male persons! Concerning the right to citizenship through the mother everything remains unchanged! Women continue to be treated as unequal and inferior persons! Long live the patriarchal state of Nepal!!], Nepali children born today will have their lives shortened by 30 months: New report says Nepal has the highest levels of air pollution in the world, by Arpan Shrestha (kp 04/04/2019)), Storm-hit Dalits living under open sky, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht), Nomination of Supreme Court justices draws flak for not being inclusive: The decision violates constitutional provision on proportional inclusion, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Imbalance of  powers: The independence of Nepal’s courts is becoming more precarious (kp), Strengthen, implement right to food law: AI to govt (ht), Nepal: To End Hunger, Strengthen and Implement Right to Food Law (Amnesty International), In latest attempt to squeeze media, government seeks journalists’ payroll details, violating the constitution: Ministry of Information uses issue of working journalists’ minimum wage to block broadcasters’ payments to satellite companiesnCircular follows a series of regulations to muzzle journalism, by Anil Giri (kp), Panel to pick new leaderships of two transitional justice bodies by mid-April: Names of former Supreme Court justices under  consideration, sources say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Federalism has led many civil servants in Achham to work sans payment, by Menuka Dhungana (kp) [The reason is not federalism, but the indecision and incompetence of the central government to implement it!], The colours of us: Reserved quotas have had a positive impact in maintaining diversity at the workplace, by Deepak Thapa (kp)

03/04/2019: Bara freak storm victims left in a lurch, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht), Storm survivors struggle under open sky on empty stomachs, by Madan Thakur and Upendra Yadav (rep), No money for storm from PM Relief Fund (rep), ‘We need shelter, we don’t need more food’: As politicians promise money, survivors say they’ve heard it all before; 'IIt looks like a game for political  leaders; they are competing with each other to make announcements', by Anup Ojha and Laxmi Shah (kp), Review electoral system for good governance, says CIAA chief (ht), Conflict-hit women say no to war, by Lokendra Khanal (rep), Slicing the Madhesi pie: Raut’s Janmat Party is elbowing its way into an already crowded political landscape, by Brahmanand Thakur (kp)

02/04/2019: Complaints registered with transitional justice bodies to be sealed until new leadership assumes office: Office bearers at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons will retire on April 14, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Burden of two-thirds majority: None of the majority governments since 1958 has survived full term mainly because of intra-party feuds and personal rivalry among leaders of ruling party. What will happen to Oli government?, by Thira L Bhusal (rep), Duties Of Citizen And State, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

01/04/2019: Reimagining leadership: Transitional justice process has not come to a meaningful end because conflict victims were not placed at the center, by Charan Prasai (rep), Genealogy of xenophobia: In a country burdened by ethno-nationalism, self-destructive jingoism and hubristic self-importance, the politics of prosperity is merely a façade to decorate existing power structure, by CK Lal (rep), Sunita murder case: A sad story of a wife killed by husband for dowry, by Ritesh Tripathi (rep), Woman allegedly beaten to death by her husband, by Madan Thakur (rep), Local govts disobeying central govt, by Devendra Basnet (rep) [This has to do with the failure of the central govt to introduce clear regulations on power sharing and responsibilities under the federal system! The decisions mentioned in this article should be under the responsibility of the local govt because the central govt has no idea of the local situation!!], Oli says he consulted Deuba on nominations, but Congress calls it a lie: Opposition leaders say the prime minister decided to call a meeting  even after Sher Bahadur Deuba proposed an alternative date, by Anil Giri (kp), Koshi flood victims pay tax for inundated land, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp)

31/03/2019: No more secrecy: The government must pick the people for the transitional justice bodies transparently, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Is Nepal’s progressive trans rights movement bracing for a setback? LGBTIQ community expresses reservations about provisions in the citizenship bill which, according to them, can result in further discrimination against sexual minorities, by Asmita Manandhar (kp), Amid government’s unilateral moves, calls grow for adherence to constitutionalism: Experts point at Constitutional Council’s decisions without taking opposition leader into confidence while taking decisions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Let provincial government hold remaining SEE exams: Experts; The Ministry of Education cancelled the rest of the exams on Friday after  a series of paper leaks, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SEE students stage protests in several spots in Province 2: 20 people — including police — injured and more than a dozen vehicles vandalised (kp), Sunita beaten to death over dowry, by Bhusan Yadav (kp), 300 quake-victims under huts in Dolakha, by Rajendra Manandhar (kp)

30/03/2019: Investment summit showcases the country’s mega projects—and its gender disparity: The biggest stage for business and investment fails to provide stage for women entrepreneurs and investors, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp)

29/03/2019: Government’s intent to keep security policy secret raises concerns: The document has given too much emphasis on army, ignoring other security agencies, officials who have seen the document claim, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Crime and forgiveness: We need to rethink reconciliation for peaceful coexistence in post-insurgency Nepal, by Dinesh Kafle (kp)

28/03/2019: ‘We represent diversity’: Chauvinists can learn from the New Zealand prime minister and change their way, by Pramod Mishra (kp) [This is the opposite of what narrow-minded pseudo-nationalists from the NDP, a great number of NC politicians and other Hindu state fanatics preach! It should be the basis of Nepali nationalism as well!!], Rage and reason: We need to bring around every actor from the plains as well as the hills to agree on some basic fundamentals of citizenship. Otherwise, citizenship debate will prolong indefinitely, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep) [There is only one solution: Make it equal without any patriarchal fantacies based on gender, ethnicity and region!], ‘CPN brass goes underground’, by Bikan K Dawadi (rep)

27/03/2019: Government ban unconstitutional, says Nepal Bar Association, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Communist Party of Nepal announces stir against crackdown, by Nayak Paudel (kp), CPN’s strike likely to hit students (ht) [Criminal anti-people procedure!], Protest meaningless, says CM Gurung (ht), 11 CPN cadres nabbed (ht), How big—and widespread—is Chand’s communist party? Depends on who you ask: Despite arrests of scores of its leaders, including some senior ones, the group has shown little sign of joining talk, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), A job to be done: Remittance is a short-term fix, we need to create work here (kp)

26/03/2019: Panel formed to pick names for transitional justice bodies: Former chief justice Om Prakash Mishra to lead 5-member recommendation committee, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ruling, opposition parties at odds over handling of the Chand outfit: Nepali Congress says high-handed approach could sow the seeds of conflict; Prime minister maintains tough stance, calls Chand party ‘pseudo-communist’, by Anil Giri (kp), Making bureaucracy deliver: Bureaucrats, as public service providers, are facilitators, not controllers of operations, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Foreign policy dilemma: Nepal cannot antagonise emerging superpower China or the sole superpower, the US, by Madhab P Khanal (kp)

25/03/2019: His mother is a Nepali.He has been refused citizenship for 10 years: Between 2009 and 2017, Nepal has issued 13 naturalised citizenships to those born to a Nepali mother and a foreign father. Many are waiting, hoping to be the next, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), Where is Netra Bikram Chand? Senior officials say the leader of Communist Party of Nepal, which was involved in a series of bombings, is still in the country and dismiss claims that he has fled to India, by Anil Giri (kp), Surrender arms or face action, PM tells Chand (rep), Civil servants stop going to work over Chand outfit’s threat, by Narayan Sharma (kp), Ansari’s rival seeks interim order not to let him continue his work: In his writ petition, Salam has claimed that Ansari was appointed only because he was a central committee member of the ruling Nepal Communist Part, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Reversal of democratic thrust: The government is de-democratising the security sector and weakening democratic oversight of the security forces, by Ajaya Bhadra Khanal (kp), There cannot be referendum on monarchy: PM Oli (rep), Inter-caste couples still facing social stigma, by Tanka Chhetri (rep)

24/03/2019: Power to PM to deploy Army causes unease in defence force: Experts say government should abide by constitutional provisions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Police arrest 9 Chand group members, including a senior leader, from Kavre: Hemanta Prakash Oli ‘Sudarshan’, one of the five members in Chand’s high command, is said to have been a key person behind the blasts at Nakkhu and Basundhara in the Capital, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Campaign against casteism: Reframing the narrative around caste-based discrimination warrants a different outlook, by Rajendra Senchurey (kp)

23/03/2019: Women are still dying after being sent to menstruation huts, but no one is filing complaints: A new report by the National Human Rights Commision paints a grim picture of Chhaupadi and how it’s still taking women’s lives, despite being outlawed, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp) [see NHRC report (in Nepali)], More daughters are enrolled in public schools while sons are sent to private ones: Even though girls outnumber boys in the 10th grade national level exam, discrimination is clearly visible, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Holi was colourless and joyless for families of those martyred during the 2015 Madhes protests, by Shankar Acharya (kp), Shashank’s referendum remarks irk Congress, by Anil Giri (kp)

22/03/2019: On the wrong side of history: Defending unequal citizenship rights is defending the Khas-Arya man’s status, not the state sovereignty, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp), Action against Chand outfit—but how and under which laws? There’s no specific law to deal with the Chand group the way the government wants, security and legal experts say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), As Ansari takes oath, questions arise over necessity of hearing committee: Parties failed to follow the spirit of legal provisions and this undermines parliamentary supremacy, observers say, by Binod Ghimire (kp)

21/03/2018: Rebels without a cause: No one seems to understand what exactly Biplab wants, not even Biplab himself, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Govt steps up measures against Chanda-led group: Four including a close aide to senior leader Hemanta Prakash Oli arrested on Tuesday (rep), Police arrest two Chand cadres in Kavre after shootout: Experts say government should deal with the group delicately and invite them for dialogue, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Govt mulls carrot and stick policy against CPN: Families of cadres, leaders of the outfit will not have to bear the brunt of actions of their kin, by Rewati Sapkota (kp), NC general secy backs for reinstating Hindu state thru referendum (rep) [This is in the same way anticonstitutional as Raut's demand for a eferendum on an independent Madhesh state! Both referenda would be aimed at destroying Nepal's unity and multicultural identity! The Nepali Congress is about to destroy its former democratic ideals!]

20/03/2019: Government moves indicate effort to centralise power in prime minister: Problem lies in intent rather than method, experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Towards authoritarianism: When all powers flow to the prime minister, it will undermine the achievements of democracy (kp), Congress demands government to explain ‘jana abhimat’ in its pact with CK Raut, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)

19/03/2019: CK Raut launches Janamat Party (rep), After quitting ‘Free Madhes’ campaign, CK Raut launches a new party: Raut’s Janamat Party vows to continue struggle for the rights of people, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Hasty deal with Raut: Both contracting parties have interpreted the agreement as per their convenience, by Kushal Pokharel (kp), Govt agrees to publicize Lal panel report: RJPN hopes to use report to its advantage (rep), Baburam Bhattarai objects to government’s bid to further empower prime minister: Naya Shakti Party leader demands release of Resham Chaudhary, saying  the 2015 Tikapur incident should be treated as a political movement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [?? A crime cannot be excused for political reasons!], 80% of accused rapists were acquaintances of the victims, by Biken K Dawadi (rep), Parties still undecided on appointment of officials at transitional justice bodies: Conflict victims concerned about further delay in justice delivery, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Positions are far more important than justice for the victims!]

18/03/2019: Chand’s men on extortion drive in Surkhet, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep) [Another crime against the common people!], PM terms Chand outfit a criminal gang (rep) [How else shall it be called?], A series of events, and intel report led to government action against Chand outfit: Security agencies have orders to arrest major suspects behind violent activities carried out by the group, a high-level police source says, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Listen to the people: They want peace (rep), The Maoist cul-de-sac: Chand has very little to lose and everything to gain by creating mayhem. The NCP has everything to lose and nothing to gain by ignoring him forever, by CK Lal (rep), Raut’s outfit endorses 11-pt agreement signed with govt, by Mithilesh Yadav (rep), Congress lashes out at proposed law to further empower PM, by Sanjeeb Phuyal (kp)

17/03/2019: Distressed and disheartened, disqualified Maoist fighters await support to run their lives: Ex-rebel fighters feel betrayed. They say there could be another conflict if the state continues to ignore them, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Locals in cradle of Maoist insurgency say NO to conflict, by Dinesh Subedi, Devendra Basnet and Nagendra Upadhyay (rep), In Dahal’s ‘my life under threat’ claim, many see bid for sympathy: Politicians, analysts say Dahal is exaggerating ‘sabotage’, a term his party used to mean ‘destruction of infrastructure’, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Government’s bid to vest power to deploy Army in prime minister draws flak: The main opposition Nepali Congress calls a special meeting to discuss the provision  in the Bill on Work, Responsibility and Rights of National Security Council, by Tilak R Pradhan (kp), Special taskforce to monitor Chand outfit activities (rep), Raut’s outfit meeting today to ‘chart future course’ (rep), Secessionism is dead: The overwhelming rage against referendum that was not even mentioned in the deal with CK Raut is the strongest evidence of how the whole country stands united against secession, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep) [Many of these protesters at the same time demand for a referendum on a return to the Hindu state, what is in the same way divisive against the background of Nepal's multiethnic, multireligious, multicultural and multilingual society! Stop both demands!]

16/03/2019: In annual report, US Department of State paints bleak picture of Nepal’s human rights: Officials say they have not read the report yet, by Anil Giri (kp) [See US eport] [And how will they answer any questions on this subject at the Investment Forum at the end of the month?], Women’s voices go unheard in local units led by male officials: Budget for women empowerment and income-generation unspent, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Bill to enable PM alone to recommend army mobilization: Security Council may recommend security at sensitive projects, heritage sites (rep) [??], Transitional Justice bodies may end up without commissioners (rep), 1,127 rape cases recorded in 8 months (rep)

15/03/2019: 35 days to hand over illegal guns: Govt urges CPN to renounce violence and come to the negotiating table, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Bandh partially hits life across country (ht) [Every bandh is a crime against the people!], Some 8 million students affected by general strike (rep), Government contradicts its decision on Chand outfit and its activities: On Tuesday, the Oli administration used the term ‘ban’. Two days later, the ministry stated it is ‘taking action’ against the group, by Anil Giri (kp), In ruling party, leaders are questioning Oli’s ‘unilateral’ decisions: Most of the decisions come straight from Baluwatar without proper discussion in the party, members say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Give up violence: It would be rational for the Chand-led group to stop extortion, renounce its arms and violence, and join mainstream politics (ht)

14/03/2019: Fault line appears in the ruling party over decision to ban Chand outfit: The main opposition Nepali Congress is divided over the issue, while other parties have criticised the Oli administration’s decision, by Anil Giri (kp), Nine held after explosion in Bharatpur ward office, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Quake victims struggling to repay loans they borrowed to build damaged houses (kp) [Hail to the incompetent NRA, government and adminstration!], House issues ruling to make public probe report on Tarai protest, by Binod Ghimire (kp)

13/03/2019: Government labels Chand party a criminal group, bans its activities: The Cabinet has concluded the Communist Party of Nepal’s activities are more criminal than political, an aide to the prime minister says, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp) [How else shall we call a group that kills innocent citizens and destroys public property, independent of some probably reason able arguments?]

12/03/2019: After deal with CK Raut, the guessing game continues: Raut aide hints at a new party, but analysts say  the activist has been co-opted by the establishment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), No question of referendum on sovereignty and national integrity, PM Oli says: Those claiming that the second point of the agreement means referendum  are ‘trying to create rumours among the public’, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Be the change: Behavioural transformation is the key to societal transformation, by Sujeev Shakya (kp)

11/03/2019: Province 2 to have its own officials ‘to check’ chief district officers’ authority: The move is likely to deepen province-Centre conflict, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Government scrambles to explain ‘jana abhimat’, a phrase in the agreement signed with CK Raut: After a barrage of questions, home minister tells lawmakers the term is nowhere close to referendum, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Peace overtures: Caution must be exercised over  interpretation of the deal with CK Raut (kp), Chand party owns up to Friday’s explosion in Basundhara: Police await government’s position on how to deal with the outfit, by Nayak Paudel (kp), The Super Government And Its Activities, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

10/03/2019: Oli’s aim for political mileage and Raut’s quest for safe landing led to 11-point deal: Pact sends strong message against secessionist politics, but its implementation remains a challenge, analysts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), A section in the ruling party objects to most of the points in pact with Raut: Text of agreement is flawed and it may widen intra-party rift, party insiders say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Another explosion in Capital—two weeks after a deadly blast—raises security alarm: High time the government made it clear whether the Chand-led  party is a political outfit or a terror group, security experts say, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Justice for conflict victims: If the government continues to dillydally, we should go to the international courts, by Govinda KC (kp)

09/03/2019: CK Raut quits secessionist fight, joins mainstream politics: In an agreement with the government, Raut commits to honouring  the sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity of the country, by Binod Ghimire (kp), RJP-Nepal gears up for anti-government protest, by Abadhesh Kumar Jha (kp), Tikapur residents fear possible unrest over court’s order to imprison 11 people: The authorities, on their part, have beefed up  security in Tikapur to control possible violence, by Ganesh Chaudhary and Arjun Shah (kp)

08/03/2019: Debate on women’s citizenship rights rages as House takes up amendment bill: Activists say lawmakers’ reluctance to grant equal citizenship rights to women is reflective of the deep-rooted patriarchal beliefs in society, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), Women are being denied equal rights in the name of national security and sovereignty: Binda Pandey (kp) (interview), The fear factorSome are absurdly terrified that fairer laws will lead to an influx of immigrants (kp) [Pervasive thinking by arrogant male Tagadhari politicians who think they are the world and Nepal is their property!!]

07/03/2019: Resham Chaudhary and ten others sentenced to life for 2015 Tikapur violence: Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal objects to Kailali District Court’s order, pulls out support from the government immediately after the ruling, by Arjun Shaha (kp) [Politicians obviously see criminals within their parties as immune against punishment!], Video of frustrated citizens defying roadblock for President sparks discourse over VIP movements, by Anup Oja (kp) [This is a special form of corruption by arrogant party politicians with royal ambitions!!], Wrong choice: Candidates should not be appointed on the basis of their loyalty to the party (kp)

06/03/2019: Government rules out international community’s role in transitional justice: Nepal at this stage does not feel any need to seek international assistance and support to complete the process, Foreign Minister Gyawali says, by Anil Giri (kp) [Those who were responsible for injustice during the times of conflict are not qualified to bring justice now!], Dang police arrest three leaders of  Chand outfit for extortion, by Durga Lal KC (kp)

05/03/2019: Concerns grow over weapons—in good numbers—in possession of Chand outfit: Two guns seized from a Communist Party of Nepal leader in Sunsari last week belonged to former Maoist army, sources say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Local units want revision in federal bills: Representatives say some provisions encroach upon their constitutional authority, by Binod Ghimire (kp), This government has been ineffective  not because of incompetence, but because of its design, inteerview with CK Lal (kp), Exchanging words in Kathmandu: China showed just how it felt about recent US remarks on the Belt and Road Initiative, by Achyut Wagle (kp)

04/03/2019: Provinces warn of legal recourse if Centre fails to address their concerns: State governments say Kathmandu is unwilling to share  constitutional rights, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), The big fish in our midst: How is it that corrupt figures participate in our society with their heads held high?, by Sailesh Tiwari (kp)

03/03/2019: Parliament misses deadline to amend laws inconsistent with constitution: Provisions of the Acts that contradict the charter are invalid from tomorrow, by binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s Badi community finds itself in a bottomless pit of despair: Although the community is slowly weaning off the world’s oldest profession to keep their  hearths burning, they are also struggling to shrug off the history they are burdened with, by Basanta Pratap Singh and Dipesh Khatiwada (kp), Chand outfit spokesman under probe for terror financing: Department of Money Laundering Investigation says it has started probing Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Identity crisisHaving the tallest peaks in the world is not enough; fame and identity must be earned, by Arpan Dahal (kp), The moment of truth: Dalits see converting to Christianity as an escape from the caste system, by Rajani Maharjan (kp) [Probably this is one of the most important reasons why a number of male Tagadharis call for a return to Hindu state: They want to keep the Dalits under suppression and exclusion!]

02/03/2019: Bills to strengthen federalism stuck as end of winter session looms: Provinces need these documents to frame laws on civil servants, peace and security, public commission and police, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), ‘Democracy is also about tolerating dissent’ (ht), NRA collecting details of fake quake victims (ht) [This is only a secondary task of the NRA. What about the large mass of legitimate victims who have been waiting for the promised aid for almost 4 years?], Three slapped with 10 years jail in Godamchaur rape case: Victim's family still receiving threats, by Bikan K Dawadi (rep), Conflict victims demand their 'say' in transitional justice process (rep)

01/03/2019: Seeking change: Women and girls should have autonomy over their bodies, by Sivananthi Thanenthiran (kp), No blanket amnesty for serious rights violations, Gyawali says in Geneva, by Anil Giri (kp), Nepali women lag behind in economic empowerment (ht), It’s a crime not to call it terrorism, by Kunda Dixit (nt), Terror attack leaves tragedy in its wake: Family of Sing Prasad Gurung remember a proud solider, devoted husband, father and friend, by Sonia Awale (nt)

28/02/2019: Whither Transitional Justice?, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), No blanket amnesty for rights violations, says Gyawali (ht), Local Adjudication Under Scanner, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Chand party planned for a month before perpetrating attacks: Police sources: The outfit reshuffled its district committees to dodge security officials after attacks, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Chand-led CPN cadre held in connection with Nakkhu blast (ht), We all need Nepal: Nepal doesn’t need me or any foreign-endorsed people like me. It’s us who need Nepal, to experience, to love, to live, to praise, to savor, to relax and to be content, by Ushma Rebel (rep)

27/02/2019: In not speaking against Chand outfit, Dahal sees an opportunity to rebuild his own image: At this point, Chand’s rise plays to Dahal’s benefit, a Maoist leader says, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Scourge of dowry violence in Dhanusha: Around 690 cases of gender violence have been registered in the current fiscal year, by Ajit Tiwari (kp), A horror confronted: Sexual harassment of girls in schools largely goes unreported (kp), In need of a broader solidarity: #MeeToo is an intersectional issue where gender, caste, and ethnicity all come into play, by Sangita Thebe Limbu and Kalpana Jha (kp)

26/02/2019: Left Government: One Year On, by Prem Khatry (rn), Ncell blast victim’s kin wants govt to act against Chand’s CPN (ht) [It would be completely incomprehensible if such action had not already been taken in the face of this terrorist crime!], Oli, Dahal initiate process of building consensus on citizenship bill , by Rewati Sapkota (ht) [Women and men as well as their descendants must be treated equal in each and every respect!], Dalits in Bajhang shut down meat shops as non-Dalits refuse to buy, by Jagat Khadka (rep)

25/02/2019: Chand party owns up to attacks, but shows no signs of giving up violence: Despite evidence against party, government hasn’t concluded who—and how—to hold accountable for Friday’s bombing and arson, by Anil Giri (kp), Chand-led CPN behind Ncell blast: Home minister, by Jagdishor Panday and Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Ncell attacked over tax evasion: Chand's party (rep), Country of fear: Government should hold Chand-led party to account for its terrorist act (kp), Monitoring the monitors: Fewer people are filing complaints with the anti-graft body, reflecting its fading trust, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), CIAA plans dubious means to nab corrupt (ht), ‘Political leadership is responsible for problems in implementing  federalism’, interview with Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithivi Subba Gurung (ht), Why are you hiding reports? (rep), Not Many Positive Things Happening, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

24/02/2019: Unidentified groups torch Ncell towers across country (ht), Blast, arsons targeting Ncell prompt concerns about business climate: Police suspect Chand-led party’s involvement in attacks on mobile company; One injured in Nakkhu explosion dies; two wounded are receiving treatment, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Nakkhu explosion victim dies: Six arrested in Kathmandu, 16 held in other districts, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht), Friday's blasts a question mark on PM's claim: Police suspect hand of Netra Bikram Chand-led Maoist party in Friday's multiple blasts (rep), Victims push against reappointment of transitional justice body officials, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Concerns of Nepali women to be presented at international stage, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Customs trump law on issue of gender equality (kp), ‘Federal govt attempting to centralise powers’ (ht), Govt hiding nearly half dozen probe reports, by Ashok Dahal (rep)

23/02/2019: Menstruating women are still being banished to outdoor sheds — and it’s killing them, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), Nirmala’s parents call off indefinite sit-in after 105 days, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Everything you need to know about the government’s new IT bill: In an attempt to regulate the cyberspace, the K P Sharma Oli government is trying to give itself  enormous new powers to curb online content, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), Nepali Congress MPs criticise Information Technology Bill (ht), IT bill tramples on freedom of expression: Oppn MPs (rep),  Anti-corruption Crusade Match Word With Action, by Kushal Pokharel (rn)

22/02/2019: Big Brother looms: The government is working to introduce legislation to regulate public discourse, by Hardik Subedi and Harischandra Subedi (kp), Minister Baskota defends curbs on social media use (ht), ‘Centre shouldn’t control provincial, local govts’, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Focus on lawmaking: Rather than seeking pork barrel fund for their constituencies, lawmakers would do well to focus on the lawmaking process (ht), Complaint filed to probe properties of tainted anti-graft official and ‘his associates’, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Has national ID card project put Rs 7.5bn at stake? MPs fear it will be just another card to occupy space in wallet; Seek govt clarification before spending billions on the project, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Water crunch hits displaced quake survivors (ht)

21/02/2019: Getting off easy: Corrupt officials get to resign and  go scot-free, fuelling impunity (kp), Assaulting free speech: The provisions in the new bill could further curtail free speech and silence dissenters, by Taranath Dahal (kp), Sick projects put government’s billions at risk: 1,848 projects with contract amount of Rs118 billion are incomplete, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Nominated lawmakers angry as they are not allowed to spend Rs 40m, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This once again means that the option is predominantly for male Tagadhari leaders only, expecially male Bahuns! Especially, almost all female MPs are excluded. Nevertheless, development investment is not the task of elected legislators, it only helps to promote corruption!], PR lawmakers accuse govt of discriminating against them, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), 900 posts of local level reps vacantNo law to conduct by-polls for ward chairs, members, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), No politics and good voters: Case for local development, by Prem Sharma (ht)

20/01/2019: Graft watchdog puts fallen commissioner Pathak under probe: Three-member committee is announced to look into bribery scandal, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Hearing panel to probe credentials of Muslim commission chairman nominee Samim Miya Ansari: Hearing scheduled for today deferred until the investigation  is completed, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Ansari’s papers’ veracity to be verified: PHC has received complaint that he is NCP CC member, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Heinous crime: Women’s rights, dignity and safety cannot be ensured as long as the community itself does not foster the “we” feeling (ht), RPP submits memo to PM demanding restoration of Hindu kingdom (rep) [Thank God the RPP is a completely insignificant minority party that was supported by only 2 per cent of voters in the last parliamentary elections!], Heed the voice of disabled civilian war victims: Lalitpur Declaration (rep), Rape cases up 79 pc in 2018: INSEC (rep) [For intensive evaluation of human rights in 2088 see: Human Rights Yearbook 2019, by INSEC, 17 February 2019], Democracy for the people (rep), Betraying Madhes: Madhesi leaders don’t care about real needs of Madhesi people. They don’t serve people and they have no compunction that they are not serving, by Jivesh Jha (rep), Sixty-ninth Anniversary Of Democracy Day, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

19/02/2019: Political roadblocks: Hurdles to prosperity are far more difficult to clear than seasonal economic distresses, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Chief ministers press for devolution of power: Provincial leaders blame federal government for held-up state affairs, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Federal affairs ministry renames five local units: Administrative centres of 7 federal units changed in Sudurpaschim (kp) [Under the federal system, this should be the task of the provincial government!!], Back to misrule: If Prime Minister Oli wants to make the country prosperous on the foundation of corruption and misrule, he will surely fail, by Nilam Sangroula (rep), Attorney general says CIAA can probe Pathak corruption case: Anti-graft agency sought the office’s opinion if laws allowed it to prosecute him, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), ‘We, as a society, have kept quiet on sexual harassment, abuse and violence so far’: Issues of sexual violence must be included in public discourses to ensure equality for women (kp), Stop intimidation: What the intimidation tactic has done is given those in the opposition and the angry commoner a platform to hit back at the government (ht), An offer he couldn’t refuse: Self-censorship is dangerous (kp), Reconstruction conundrums: Labelling ‘fake victims’ doesn’t help, by Bina Limbu, Jeevan Baniya, Manoj Suji and Sara Shneiderman (kp), Engendering change: Women will be more visible in the political structure only once they are allowed to leverage power, by Avasna Pandey (kp), More reservation quotas sought for ethnic groups, by Jagdishor Panday (ht) [The text of the bill provides for a reduction!]

18/02/2019: Following threats, popular folk singer Sharma pulls video from YouTube: Rights advocates call pressure an attack on freedom of expression, by Anup Ojha and Tika R Pradhan (kp), Folk singer Pashupati faces YAN music for satirical song, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Govt ‘muzzling critical voices under pretext of reasonable restriction’, by Pratik Rimal (rep), Public uproar on social media after song removed from YouTube (rep), Youth-focussed panel discusses social media, entrepreneurship and freedom of speech, by Timothy Aryal (kp), CIAA discusses probe in Pathak’s graft case (kp), Take further action: Pathak’s resignation must not make him a free man; he must face charges of corruption and abuse of authority (ht), Bribe case investigation: CIAA, parliament passing the buck (rep), Fantasy of prosperity: Constraints of social disharmony, contested constitution and institutions plagued by centuries of nepotism and favoritism will not allow Nepal to be Singapore or Switzerland anytime soon, by CK Lal (rep)

17/02/2019: Anti-graft official’s bribe case exposes how corruption thrives: Governance experts say letting go Pathak will perpetuate impunity, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), CIAA, MPs least interested to implicate Pathak in bribery case (rep), Prosecute Raj Narayan Pathak (rep), What Is Brewing Inside CPN?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Parliamentary supremacy in govt spending under serious question: Over Rs 800 billion spent out of budget in last three years, by Rudra Pangeni (rep), Provincial governments blame center for their poor performance (rep), Indo-Pacific strategy purely driven by strategic considerations: Former Army Chief Rana (rep), Beyond statement: Dahal’s bid to support another parasitic and decaying communist regime is not based on heartfelt belief of global communist solidarity. It is rather a matter of political expediency, by Manjeet Mishra (rep), One Year Of Oli Administration, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

16/02/2019: Nepal’s peace came with a promise for justice — but it’s been painfully slow, by Binod Ghimire (kp), ‘Appoint TRC, CIEDP members without delay’, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), SC begins hearings on petitions against Agni Sapkota (rep), With a new IT bill, state draws battle lines against free speech: In attempting to regulate social media platforms, Oli administration violates the freedom of speech and opinion guaranteed under the constitution, experts say, by Bhrikuti Rai (kp), One year of Oli: Oli wants us to believe we are on our way to being the most peaceful and prosperous land on Earth but in reality, we have nothing to be happy about, by Guffadi (kp)

15/02/2019: Anti-graft agency official stares at impeachment over corruption: Commissioner Raj Narayan Pathak faces charge of taking bribe to ‘settle a case’, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), CIAA's controversial commissioner Pathak tenders resignation (ht), CIAA chief Raj Narayan Pathak resigns (rep), PM's one year in office: Strong government, weak governance, by Rupak D Sharma (ht), Oli’s 1st year (nt), PM Oli's address to nation: A recap of promises unfulfilled, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), Hard to say: This year seems to be a critical year to test every citizen's fundamental right to express their opinions (kp), No looking back: There has to be pluralism and inclusion in federalism which are its primary values, by Rajaram Bartaula (kp), Ex-Maoist combatants accuse leaders of forgetting the dreams which they once fought for, by Lokendra Khanal (rep)

14/02/2019: Govt pushes IT bill to control social media, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Government proposes harsh punishment for posting ‘improper’ contents online, by Sanjaya Lama (kp), Ideological differences in governing party surface over ‘people’s war’, by Anil Giri (kp), Oli skips event to mark People’s War anniversary, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Oli, Nepal skip ‘People’s War Day’ function (rep), Conflict victims of Guranse struggle to overcome trauma, by Biplav Maharjan (kp), For some in Rolpa, the Maoists have forgotten Maoism, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), The fallouts of Ncell: Business is politics and politics is business in Nepal, by Narayan Manandhar (kp), Wilful inaction: Whatever the outcome of the report from abroad, it will not convince the public because the Nepal Police has lost credibility (ht), Oli's one year: Talking big, bungling through, by Roshan Sedhai (rep), One year of hope, followed by despair (rep)

13/02/2019: Nepal to defend its transitional justice process in Geneva: Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali says he will tell the international community there will be no blanket amnesty in cases of serious human rights violations, by Anil Giri (kp) [13 years have passed since the end of the ten-year conflict and not much has really happened! So, what process do you want to defend?], 'Bomb shattered my dreams, poverty took away my wife', by Bhadra Sharma (rep) [How will you defend 13 years of inactivity in such cases, Mr Gyawali?], Lawmakers criticise home minister over Police Bill: Parliamentarians, mostly from ruling parties, question if the government in Kathmandu is acting against federalism, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [In this case you should vote against its implementation!], Move to empower CDOs draws flak: Ruling, opposition MPs call it a ploy to weaken provincial police, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), MPs slam police bill for making CDO more powerful than CM (rep), Report: Lack of federal laws hits provincial, local governments; Centre’s lack of urgency upsets provincial governments, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Ministry asks staff to not partake in programmes without consent, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Fundamental rights not valid for civil servants!], No party politics: Only an apolitical, competent and pro-public civil service will serve the interest of the country and the people (ht), Two years after flood, displaced await delivery of government’s promises, by Abadhesh Kumar Jha (kp) [Government failure to provide assistance!], Badi community threatens protest (ht)

12/02/2019: Bill restricting civil servants from sharing views on social media cause for concern: Experts, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bill puts rigid restrictions on govt staff, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Many muzzles: Press freedom cannot be curtailed in the name of ‘regulation’ (kp), Open transitional justice process, urge ICJ, AI, TRIAL (ht) [see announcement], Int'l, local rights bodies ask govt to pick independent experts for TJ bodies (rep), Phase out: Govt’s bid to push its way through the Parliament to strengthen the role of the CDO is against the spirit of federalism (ht), Dahal woos Madhes with amendment talk (rep) [The Oli government is one year in office and nothing has happened concerning the fulfilment of its promises towards the Madheshi parties!], A Dalit settlement awaits land ownership for over four decades, by Govinda KC (rep) [This would never have happened in a Bahun village!], Federal government transferring projects from provinces (rep)

11/02/2019: Opportunity knocks: Nepal’s diplomacy efforts are in many avenues — the Human Rights Council is irrefutably one of them, by Antara Singh (kp) Provincial media bills will curtail press freedom, experts warn: Provincial assemblies should take into account the importance of  fourth estate in democracy and governance, observers say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), 25 govt docs arrested, 3 injured in police action in Kathmandu (rep), Elusive Justice, by Ajit Kumar Singh (SAIR), International company used lies to threaten government, private rescue agencies and hospitals in Nepal: A Post investigation shows Australia-based Traveller Assist has been using the helicopter rescue scam to market itself as the sole representative of global insurance firms, by Arpan Shrestha and Sangam Prasain (kp), Govt launches investigation into Traveller Assist (rep), District headquarters dispute of Rukum (East) in constitutional bench, by Hari Gautam (kp), CDO made TDC member amid objections, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Oli on back foot: Amid sinking hopes at the popular level, the government’s promises are far insufficient to assuage public disenchantment which threatens to break loose any time soon, by P Kharel (rep)

10/02/2019: There’s more to Oli-Dahal rift than meets the eye: Former Maoists are concerned about government’s plan to take forward transitional justice process, ruling party insiders say, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Necessity and acrimony: Dahal miffed at PM’s unilateral decisions, delayed transitional justice and party unification, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Oli, Dahal hold a number of meetings to build mutual trust (rep), Dashed hopes: Owing to the Oli administration’s inability to lead by action, its credibility is waning, by Kushal Pokharel (kp), Ruling partner FSFN accuses PM of interference: Oli unhappy with Yadav for non-cooperation (rep), CDOs still powerful under federal setup, by Ashok Dahal (rep)

09/02/2019: They have a home. They don’t have a country: In a tiny village in western Nepal, arcane laws and government bureaucracy have left families without citizenship and pushed them further into poverty, by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp), Bill on civil servants’ transfer against federalism, say lawmakers (ht), Civil servant bill imperils future of federalism: CMs, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Name and headquarters: Provinces scramble to reconcile differing views, by Roshan S Nepal (ht) [According to the constitution, this should have happened until August 2018 latest!]

08/02/2019: Fault lines in ruling party exposed as Oli, Dahal spar over Venezuela: Divergent views may affect party’s internal dynamics and country’s foreign policy, say NCP insiders, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp), Millions of students affected by Chand-led Maoist party’s strike, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Oli Style of Running Administration, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), Caracas crisis brings Dahal-Oli rift to fore (ht), "I knew I couldn’t stay silent anymore”: meet the women fighting sexual violence in Nepal (Amnesty International)

07/02/2019: House endorses amendment bill on Transitional Justice Act: Two transitional justice bodies will get one-year extension and new officials, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Truth and Reconciliation Commission chairman and member put in papers, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Government fails to give concrete answer on Nirmala Pant rape and murder probe: Home minister goes on defensive responding to lawmakers’ queries, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Winners, losers, and posers: In politics, what goes around, comes around. It is the country that loses all the time, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Why parties split: One major reason why political parties are unable to lead the change is because they are not yet ready to transfer power to people, by Meena Bhatta (rep)

06/02/2019: Chairman and a member of truth commission to quit, by Binod Ghimire (kp)

05/02/2019: Structural blindness: The foundation of modern Nepal lies in the caste system of governance, by Subhash Nepali (kp), Cold winter nights add to the trauma of women banished to period huts: ‘We can’t even build a fire inside because the shed gets filled with smoke, and  then it becomes suffocating', by Basanta Pratap Singh and Menuka Dhungana (kp), Police seize Ram Manohar’s body on the way to funeral: Hundreds of supporters of the Free Madhes movement showed up  for the last rites despite the arrest of scores by the authorities, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Youth denied citizenship despite SC order (ht), NC holds nationwide anti-government protest rallies (ht), Govt weakening federalism, says NC leader Gagan Thapa (ht), NC to oppose imposition of communist rule (ht), Lack of legal clarity hinders local bodies’ performance, by Bhim Chapagain (rep)

04/02/2019: Standing in the  way of control: Protests, a means of political  communication, cannot be stifled (kp), Handover delay in peak season stalls more than 1,000 road projects, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Anti-federal government politics!], Alleyway to Beijing: Centralization of all authority in Baluwatar continues unchallenged. Federalism is slowly being turned into a farce. Fundamental freedoms are being curtailed in insidious ways, by CK Lal (rep), It takes two to tango: In diverse Nepal, it is natural that different lifestyles shape different world views, by Sarans Pandey (kp), Prime minister skips question-answer session in House: "The PM decides to attend programmes as per their significance. He attends most important programmes of the day", by Jagdishor Panday (ht) [Not understanding the rules democratic culture or simply authoritarian arrogance?], Govt to tighten security: Home minister (ht) [??], We may withdraw support to govt after the GC if our demands are not addressed, interview with Pradip Yadav, Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal lawmaker (ht), 7 projects worth Rs 351 billion for PM's constituency: Jhapa-5 is by far the largest recipient of federal projects under PM Oli, by Yuvraj Biwas (rep)

03/02/2019: As dirty cash flow review nears, Nepal scrambles to make and amend 50 laws: Country runs the risk of being blacklisted if it fails to prepare legislation compatible with global standards, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), In education, Kathmandu wants to hold sway over local governments, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [This is typical for the anti-federalist central elite!], Opposition Veering off the Track?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (kp), Student wing resorts to violence; government vehicles vandalised (kp), NSU cadres torch four govt vehicles, take scores in control (rep), Women run the fields: Agriculture in Nepal is experiencing rapid feminisation - why isn’t legislation catching up?, by Maina Dhital (kp), Dr KC to change agitation mode: He will coordinate, talk and lobby the govt (ht), Lawmakers visit Bajura for field study of chhaupadi (ht), TJ bodies preparing interim reports as term ends near (rep)

02/02/2019: A Madhesi died in police custody. No one knows what really happened: Five months since the death of Ram Manohar Yadav, a Free Madhes  activist, the family is still looking for answers while the police stay silent, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Transitional justice is our internal affair: Govt tells diplomats, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep) [The victims need international support, especially when violators are sitting in government and army!], Ministry consults conflict victims on justice process, by Binod Ghimire (kp), I stand by my statement on Venezuelan crisis: Dahal (rep) [Why don't you give a similar clear statement in support of the victims of the armed conflict?], Contentious issues of citizenship bill discussed in House committee, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Lessons for the Government, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), Dr KC ends hunger strike, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Dr KC ends fast-unto-death, slams govt for 'policy-level corruption' (ht), Dr KC ends fast after 24 days, accuses Oli of dishonesty (rep), Mafia 1 KC 0, by Guffadi (kp), 17 protesters arrested, released (ht)

01/02/2019: Donors, investors voice concerns over lack of reforms ahead of investment summit: ‘Holding this forum before real, bold, and tangible reforms are made, both to laws and practices, is premature,’ a US Embassy official says, by Anil Giri and Mukul Humagain (kp) [!!!], Crucial bills may hit snag if opposition continues obstruction: More than 170 Acts need to be amended or replaced with new ones by March 4n Congress says it could consider letting House function if government comes up with urgent bills, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Upper house passes Medical Education bill amid protest (rep), Nepal Medical Association to shut down all hospitals today: Doctors to see only emergency cases as they join KC’s cause, by Nayak Paudel (kp), NMA calls for health services strike today (ht), All health services except emergency to halt nationwide today (rep), Dr Govinda KC’s health deteriorating (ht), Muscle versus moral: Muscles and money won the day; quality medical education suffered, by Naresh Koirala (kp), Focus beyond reserved seats, Dahal tells women (kp) [Yes, they are still ignored by all political parties despite appropriate legal regulations!], Crime and politics: Nirmala Panta’s unsolved rape and murder divides activists and prolongs the family’s grief, by Namrata Sharma (nt)

31/01/2019: Nepal Citizenship Bill faces hurdles to passage in HoR, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Graph keeps falling: Nepal has slipped from corrupt to  more corrupt in global rankings (kp) [And this under a government that one year ago has claimed to eradicate corruption!], State did not perform as expected: Deputy PM (kp) [???], SC rules its writ runs on military court, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Govt will save Dr KC’s life: Minister Pokharel, by Anita Shrestha (ht) [By doing nothing? This hunger strike would not have taken place if the government had abided by its agreement with Dr KC instead of encouraging its MPs to pass a different law, Mr Pokharel! Do not talk such nonsense!], Solidarity with Dr KC, demands for talks well up as his condition worsens (rep), Minister Baskota says he cares about freedom of press. Really? Muzzling of press unabated, by Roshan Sedhai (rep)

30/01/2019: Crime and candidacy: Having lawbreakers as lawmakers would be the biggest irony (kp), Nepal Citizenship bill: Female lawmakers decry unequal provisions, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Transitional justice bodies to get term extension; officials won’t: Move aims to allay concerns of conflict victims but lacks substance, by Binod Ghimire (kp), TRC, CIEDP members’ tenure extended till April 13: Commissions get one year extension (ht), Nepal falls two places to 124 on Corruption Perception Index: The political leadership prioritised serving the interests of those who run syndicates and contractors with poor track records, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Cabinet meets Congress’  demand on two hospitals: Government decides to bring hospitals named after NC leaders under federal government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt’s olive branch fails to appease NC: Feb 4 protest on despite a  decision not to scrap hospitals named after the Koiralas, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Medics say frail KC needs intensive care, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Doctors continue relay hunger strike (ht)

29/01/2019: Government in bind as conflict victims divided: One association calls for mechanism to decide the future of transitional justice process; another objects to any new structure to deal with war-era cases, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Congress mum on wide-body deal: Aircraft purchase scam issue missing from minutes at Deuba’s behest, party insiders say, by Anil Giri (kp) [This proves the hypocrisy of Nepalese politicians. Civil society is much more effective if the political parties do not participate!], Rajeev Gurung, aka Deepak Manange, sworn in as provincial lawmaker, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp) [He is still a person under accusation: There cannot be enough criminals in parliament and provincial assimblies!], The art of conversation: Speeches and the long-held need to preach are passé, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Through the eyes of our cartoonist: The journey of Dr Govinda KC, by Abin Shrestha (kp), NMA gives govt until today to address Dr KC's demands (rep), Bill giving sweeping powers to CDOs tabled, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [RIP federalism!], Federalism: An opportunity not to delay, by Upendra Raj Bhattarai (ht), Docs stage relay hunger strike in Dr KC’s support, by Anita Shrestha (kp), Nepali Congress halts PHC meeting: Says the chairs of constitutional commissions were nominated by the Constitution Council in the absence of opposition leader, by Jagdishor Panday (kp), Confessions of a socialist: We march on steadily toward a socialist nation that offers a brighter and better future than anything we have seen before, by Bishal Thapa (rep)

28/01/2019: Conflict Victims Common Platform splits (ht), A faction of war victims refuses to be part of any mechanism: “We want the two transitional justice commissions to continue, but their officials should be changed,” says Phanindara Luitel of Conflict Victims National Network, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Four winters passed under huts, quake survivors say, by Balaram Ghimire (kp), Doctors put pressure on the government to save Dr KC: Nepal Medical Association announces relay hunger strike starting today, by Nayak Paudel (kp), NMA calls for nationwide relay hunger strike: Threatens action against docs who don’t support Dr KC; ‘Even senior docs have to take part’ (ht), Bill on health education ‘not duly passed’: 'Speaker himself said the majority was against the bill', by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Congress to hold protest rallies across country (ht), Show seriousness: The government can still meet Dr KC’s remaining demands by making corrections in the bill at the National Assembly (ht), Jajarkot children still out of schools (ht) [The former Maoist party has long been in power in a leading position, but obviously nothing has changed in one of the initial districts of its uprising!], Assessing media attack: When public figures indulge in media attacks, the prospects and conditions for the media grow dimmer and dangerous by the day, by P Kharel (rep), Reimagining leadership: Right leadership ensures inclusivity in actions, inspires colleagues to think out of the box and cooperates during times of crisis, by Anusa Thapa (rep)

27/01/2019: Law minister-led mechanism to decide future of transitional justice: Sources say the body will seek participation of  all stakeholders, including conflict victims, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Transitional Justice & Factional Diplomacy, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [An incredible statement by the Deputy Executive Editor of the government-owned daily The Rising Nepal in blind support of the machinations of the Oli government, despite all the hypocrisy of today's opposition NC, which has done similar things in the past when in power. National and international supporters of victims and civil society are accused of manipulative interference in internal Nepalese affairs. They are denied any appeal for respect for the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Peace without justice for the victims is not possible! Like all governments before, the Oli government will do nothing in support of justice without internal and external pressure!], KC’s supporters say medical bill doesn’t speak to have-nots, by Nayak Paudel (kp), NMA likely to shut down health services (ht), Police and internal security bills: Province 2 CM Raut threatens street protest (ht), Souring ties between NCP, NC leave law amendments in crisis (rep), Think beyond grants: A blanket approach of distributing Rs 300,000 each to all earthquake victims can’t be considered as mission accomplished, by Prakash Budha Magar (rep)

26/01/2019: Govt plans nationwide consultation on next transitional justice process (rep), Governing party bulldozes medical bill through House: The forceful move will have far-reaching consequences, Congress warns, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), This bill will have dire implications on medical sector: Mathema, by Arpan Shrestha and Nayak Paudel (kp), Govt uses marshals against oppn to pass Medical Education Bill, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Passage of Medical Education Bill leaves NC in fighting mood, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), National Medical Education Bill passed, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), NC questions speaker’s neutrality (ht), Oli must resign for deceiving 30 million people: Dr KC; Fast-unto-death to continue (rep), Dr Govinda KC seeks PM’s resignation (ht), 48 arrested in capital for protesting against Medical Education bill (rep) [Freedom of opinion denied!], Dr KC supporters hit the streets wearing black bands (rep), Making hay, our way: Probably nothing much will come out of investigations on wide-body scam. Events bear a “symbolic” and yet uncanny similarity to how Jamal Kashoggi was murdered, by Hemant Arjyal (rep)

25/01/2019: International community builds pressure on transitional justice: Foreign missions, UN call for broader consultation  with conflict victims and stakeholders, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt slams statement of Western countries, UN on transitional justice (rep), ‘Zero draft’ starting point for talks with victims, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Dejected and disappointed, former combatants want to forget their past, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), ‘Medical bill will pass as wished by government’ (kp) [But Oli says it is the parliament that wants to reject the government's agreements with Dr KC; now the Speaker of Parliament claims that it is the express will of the Oli government! Lies over lies to safeguard vested interests!], Dr KC writes open letter to lawmakers: If pact was a sham, we’ll have to fight against such betrayal’ (ht), I'm not against any party or person but for a proper system: Dr KC (rep), HoR passes National Medical Education Bill amid commotion (ht), Stuck on repeat: In Nepal, the cycle of history seems unchanged; the wheel just does not seem to break, by Amish Mulmi (kp), Swindlers’ list: The promise of a ‘serious probe’ devoid of any strategy is frustratingly familiar (kp), From tika to ashes: There are layers upon layers of injustice in the rape of Dalit women, by Sarita Pariyar (kp), Repressive Oli Administration, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km)

24/01/2019: Citizens’ Right to Health, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Health minister says government must abide by deal reached with KC: The bill will be endorsed at any cost by Parliament  on Friday: NCP lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai, by Niyak Paudel (kp), Promises to keep: The government cannot deviate from past promises to convert the nine-point deal with Dr KC into legislation (ht), League of nationalists: Oli’s rhetorical tendency to spew erroneous ‘truths’ is a common practice among nationalists, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Women brave cold and spend night under tents during menstruation, by Khamma Khatri (rep)

23/01/2019: Saving federalism: Growing public disenchantment may lead the country to another political ‘accident’, by Achyut Wagle (kp), ‘Laws made thru political consensus unacceptable’ (ht), Discord over affiliation leaves medical bill in limbo: Institutions other than Tribhuvan and Kathmandu universities could pave the way to grant affiliations for colleges outside the Valley, by Arpan Shrestha and Nayak Paudel (kp), Speaker fails to set House in order, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Call to save fasting doctor’s life (kp), Panel formed to probe into jet purchase deal is directionless: 19 days have passed since the probe body was formed, and it still lacks terms of reference, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [It has obviously been formed gang to prevent facts regarding a participation of leading politicians by doing nothing!] , A game of limbo: More thoughtful deliberation must factor into procurement and bidding (kp), Nepal poised to become fastest growing economy: Oli (ht) [This is an almost criminal statement in the face of an extreme and ever-increasing trade deficit and an employment policy that completely negates the domestic market and is focused solely on the labour migration of the ever-increasing number of young people!], Move against parody accounts a ‘bid to stifle freedom of expression’ (rep)

22/01/2019: House braces for opposition-ruling party showdown: Nepali Congress obstructs Parliament proceedings over Medical Education Bill, a concern of fasting KC, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Pashupati road being operated against Supreme Court directive, by Anup Ojha (kp), Mind the gap: Transitional justice is not detached from foreign policy, by Rajendra Senchurey and Binod Kumar Paudel (kp), Govt has failed to provide security to women: Ansari (ht), Govt shows no interest in addressing Dr KC’s demands (ht), Don’t betray Satyagrahi: If Dr KC’s demands are met and agreements with him materialized, it will be the socialist dreams of communists coming true, by Shankar Tiwari (rep)

21/01/2019: Justice delayed: There is no reason why the transitional justice process should have taken thirteen years unless it is trying to protect the perpetrators (ht), Families of martyrs living in misery, awaiting death, by Dinesh Subedi (rep), A dangerous life: Road safety is not a privilege,  but the right of the people (kp), Move to scrap hospitals a bargaining chip: ‘Govt wants Nepali Congress to agree to award affiliation to Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences’, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), A web of factors hamper probe into offshore investment, money laundering: Businessmen exploiting legal loopholes while channelising illicit cash into the country, by Krishna Acharya and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Decoding NepaLeaks: It should be noted that mere investing in foreign lands does not constitute illicit activity in an age of globalization and liberalization, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), Experts look askance at real deal as PM heads to Davos: Say lack of preparation on government’s part for jamboree, by Anil Giri (kp), Council nominates chairpersons of five commissions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Once again little social inclusion: Predominantly male Bahuns who constitute only 6 per cent of the country's population! This is true even for commissions that are meant to provide better inclusion of disadvantaged sections of society! Long live male Bahunbad!], We will present Nepal’s new identity at Davos, interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali (ht) [But non-inclusion and male Bahunbad are very old identities, Mr Gyawali!], Madhes movement demonstrator appeals to state for treatment, by Santosh Singh (kp), Twelve years on: Decades had happened in the first few weeks of 2007, it will most definitely happen again. History doesn’t repeat itself only as tragedy and farce, sometimes it does push the society forward, by CK Lal (rep), Life in the fast lane: The Nepal Army is overstepping its mandate, and the fast track has dissatisfied locals, by Ayushma Basnyat (kp), Federal government’s figure on revenue collection a hoax, by Rupak D Sharma (ht), Making governance work: Federalism has the opportunity, by Prem Sharma (ht), Oli Administration and its Activities, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km), Walk The Talk, Raju Prasad Chapagai (Amnesty International)

20/01/2019: State bodies breached payment procedure, treasury office shows; Staffers tend to misinterpret laws for gains: Officials, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), KC’s crucial Satyagraha: Given our revolutionary history, how has this simple man’s resistance been so misunderstood?, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Supporters press government to honour deals with KC, by Nayak Paudel (kp), , EC draws attention to new order of precedence (kp), 12 years after Madhes Movement, gains are yet to be institutionalised: Dissatisfaction persists among Madhesis as parties seem to have lost the plot, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), FSF-N chair threatens to launch protest (ht), Policing the police: Reform Nepal’s interrogration practices, by Sakun Bhandari (kp), Trump’s Asia Policy Leaves Nepal in a Tight Spot?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Govt misses deadline for forming Natural Resources Commission, by Ashok Dahal (rep)

19/01/2019: Govt unlikely to hold consultations with victims, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), How rice became a staple—and why that’s unsustainable: Nepal’s reliance on rice over traditional nutrient-rich grains is costing the country billions every year, and making people unhealthier, by Tsering Ngodup Lama (kp), PM’s Office directs probe into Nepalis with offshore investments: Finance minister says Non-Resident Nepali Act, Income Tax Act and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement could be amended, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), On identity: In Nepal, a woman’s identity is still tied to their male kinfolk—first father, then husband, by Bibhu Kuitel (kp), Govt unlikely to address fasting surgeon’s demands, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Parliament is supreme, nobody is above the law: PM Oli on Dr KC (ht)

18/01/2019: HRW urges Nepal to ensure transitional justice (rep), Nepal: Address Transitional Justice: Decade of Promises, but Victims Still Await Answers (Human Rights Watch), Republic Memorial unclear on what and who it commemorates, by Bibhu Luitel (kp) [?], Nepal and Indo-Pacific Strategy, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn), ‘PM, do you want to finish off Dr KC?’ (rep), Money laundering watchdog to probe fund transfer (ht)

17/01/2019: Can Nepal bring back Rs 52 billion stashed in Swiss banks? (rep), Sumargi among 55 Nepalis with investment abroad (rep), 55 Nepalis invest in foreign firms (ht), Rs 35.8 bn parked in Swiss banks: 55 Nepalis have invested in foreign countries violating domestic laws (ht), Dozens of Nepalis invested in tax havens overseas, by Tsering D Gurung (kp), How the ultra-rich use FDI to launder their illicit cash, by Bibek Subedi (kp), Black money: From shell companies to Nepal, via Ncell, by Arpan Shrestha (kp), Washing up: Political will vital to implicate Nepalis amassing wealth in offshore accounts (kp), Ex-minister Pandey posts Rs 40m bail: Sikta irrigation project scam (ht), Congress presses government to address KC’s demands, by Sanjaya Lama and Biplaw Bhattarai (kp), Hope and despair: If things don’t get straightened out soon, Nepal may enter uncharted territory, by Pramod Mishra (kp), Locked up abroad: A mechanism needs to be created to protect the legal aid rights of migrant workers, by Anurag Devkota (kp)

16/01/2019: Kathmandu, provinces at odds over security arrangements: Provinces say centralised mindset defeats the purpose of federalism, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Share power: The way the umbrella bill on the Nepal Police has been designed will weaken the provinces when it comes to maintaining law and order (ht), 17 years of denied justice: Muktinath Adhikari’s family is among thousands who have been dismissed in the Transitional Justice process, by Suman Adhikari (kp), Justice delayed, denied: Why is the state so indifferent toward cases of sexual violence even as it has totally undermined rule of law, justice system, national security and good governance?, by Nabita Nakarmi (rep), Govt’s capital expenditure still sluggish: Only 17.68pc of Rs 313.9 billion allocated spent in first half of fiscal (ht), Govt betrayed Dr KC: Mathema panel members (ht), ‘Dr KC’s demands won’t be fulfilled’ (ht) [Admits vested interests of NCP affiliated entrepreneurs!], Women still unable to enjoy reproductive health rights (ht)

15/01/2019: New bill lets federal government lord over provincial police, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Politics in full play as accusations fly over tainted jet purchase deal: House panel tweaks report, takes out the part  that calls for ‘lawful action’ against ministers, by Sangam Prasain (kp) [????], Poudel calls for enquiry into  Deuba’s role in aircraft deal, by Anil Giri (kp), Deuba denies involvemen, by Arjun Shah (kp), Frail KC needs to be admitted in better hospital, say doctors, by Biplaw Bhattarai (kp), Govt scraps hospitals named after Girija, Sushil Koirala (ht), Nepali Congress up in arms (ht), PM admits NRA won’t complete task in its tenure, by Rewati Sapkota (ht)

14/01/2019: NCP chief whip opposes new bill: Says it tips the balance of power heavily in favour of federal govt, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), ‘Indigenous nationalities neglected’ (ht), Chinese construction along Nepal-Tibet border puts strategic land at risk: Embankment on the Arun river could flood 200 ropanis of land; Local officials say China won’t address their concerns, by Dipendra Shakya and Anil Giri (kp), Opposition calls for consensus on Medical Education Bill, by Tika R Pradhan (kp)

13/01/2019: Bibeksheel Sajha: Split major blow but journey will continue, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Improved Sino-India Ties, Indo-Pacific & Nepal, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Third space of conversationIt should be a space for transformation for Dalits and non-Dalits, men and women, by Sanjeev Uprety (kp), Costs of inequality: Key among the development challenges facing Nepal is the ever-widening income and wealth gap between the haves and have-nots, by Cecilia Keizer (rep), Symptoms of decay: Political parties, parliamentarians and government ministers feature as the most distrustful institutions in almost all surveys, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), SAGGC for political consensus on citizenship, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Bill obliges children to deposit certain percentage of salary in parents’ account, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Government issues new order of precedence: NPC vice-chair ranks higher than Supreme Court justices and chiefs of constitutional bodies (ht) [??], NHRC concerned (ht)

12/01/2019: Bibeksheel Sajha, after promising hope and change, splits, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp), Bibeksheel Sajha faction applies to register new party at EC (rep) [Once again, a hopeful young party destroys itself over personal power ambitions!], Bibeksheel Sajha Party suffers split (ht), The rise of a strongman: Is the Oli establishment inclined to create spectacle and drama than to deliver what was promised?, by Mohan Guragain (kp), Respect Public Interests, by Kushal Pokharel (rn), US admiral urges Nepal to resolve legal hurdles to import US arms: Expresses concern for peace in Indo-Pacific region (rep) [?], Govt proposes to curtail PSC’s autonomy: Public Service Commission office  bearers seek amendment to bill, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Holes seen in house panel report on jet purchase deal: Despite shortcomings, PAC report has detected stench of corruption wafting over the A330-200 procurement deal, which must be probed, by Rupak D Sharma (ht)

11/01/2019: Even right activists and teachers observe criminalised Chhaupadi in western Nepal, by Basanta Pratap Singh, Menuka Dhungana and Arjun Shah (kp), Accounts committee ignores crucial facts in aircraft purchase probe: Jitendra Dev was not the tourism minister when the first instalment was released to Airbus plane vendor, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Action against those named in jet scam after panel report, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [???], Govt in bid to trash PAC probe report, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Teaching Hospital residents on strike, by Nayak Paudel (kp) [Not paying the doctors' salaries for 8 months is an unbelievable crime! Please stop the paymernt of all politicians and responsible administrators for the same period of time!], Ideological Pillars Of Unity, by Narad Bharadwaj (rn) [Please stay on the ground: Nepal must thank Prithvinaran for her independence to this day, but he was also responsible for the lack of social inclusion, inequality, the over-centralised and discriminating Hindu state and the total control of public life by a minority of male Tagadharis!], Richest 10 % Nepalis over 26 times wealthier than poorest 40 % (rep) [see OXFAM report], Bill requires children to allocate portion of income to elderly parents, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Prime Minister KP Oli and Prithvi Narayan Shah, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km)

10/01/2019: Engendering change: Reluctance to accept women  leadership is a culturalised behaviour (kp), The number game: The Public Service Commission has not been shying away from providing government data, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Mother and two sons die in Chhaupadi shed fire: Women are still banished to sheds though the practice has been criminalised, by Arjun Shah (kp), Break the shackle: The local levels must launch a massive awareness drive to get rid of the chhaupadi system that dehumanises women in rural areas (ht), House panel flouts accord with Dr KC (rep), House panel okays medical education reforms bill: Principal concerns of Dr Govinda KC not addressed , by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), NCP lawmakers bulldoze Medical Education Bill through House panel: KC starts 16th hunger strike objecting to change in provisions, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Nirmala’s mother demands DNA authenticity verification, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp), Ganga Maya meets UN resident coordinator: Says government has been unwilling and unable to deliver justice in her son’s murder case (ht), Ganga Maya Adhikari seeks global attention, by Binod Ghimire (kp), ‘Government must answer to queries raised by MPs’, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Speaker tells PM, ministers to take MPs questions after address (rep), Anti-graft body drags Shrestha to court, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Institutions nd Leadership, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Conflict-affected families of security personnel launch indefinite sit-in (ht)

09/01/2019: Fate of transitional justice bodies hangs in balance: As parties vacillate, conflict victims are divided over new mechanism, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Snowfall adds chill to quake survivors’ lives, by Anish Tiwari (kp), Dr KC to launch 16th hunger strike today: Demands end to ‘mafia reign’ in medical sector, by Biplaw Bhattarai (kp), Road to misrule: Lawmakers must act on measures to curb abuse of authority and impose harsh sanctions against those implicated and accused of robbing tax payers, by Kedar Neupane (rep), Opposition is rising: Government should heed the issues raised by the opposition party and work to fulfil the promises made to the people and the country, by Shankar Tiwari (rep), Shadow govt under Deuba on cards, by Roshan S Nepal (ht) [A four times failed PM is not the right person! He has highest responsiblity for state failure himself!], Cold worsens menses woes in far-west (ht) [It would be better for male persons to stay in sheds during menstruation time of female family members. Maybe this would help them to understand this criminal practice!], Rectify swearing-in: Democracy is not just about elections, it is about electing righteous people who will work for the welfare of the people and the country (ht)

08/01/2019: PAC buckles under political pressure, by Umesh Poudel (ht), House panel goes soft on ministers: Recommends action against two secretaries, acquits Home Secretary Rai, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [There is no rule of law as long as the crimes committed by politicians and their clientele remain unpunished!], PAC for action against current and ex-ministers, clean chit for Rai: Directs govt to suspend MD Kansakar immediately (rep), SC refuses to set Resham Chaudhary free (ht), Apex court refuses to release Chaudhary, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Gandaki PA mired in dilemma over swearing in Gurung (ht), House panel fails to endorse medical education draft bill, by Jagdishor Panday (ht), Dr KC threatens to launch 16th fast-unto-death (ht), Dr KC warns of 16th hunger strike: Parliament sub-committee endorses bill on medical education through vote, by Nayak Paudel (kp), Dr KC blasts sub-committee for tweaking bill (rep), A tale of lies: Misuse of numbers as weapons to paint an incorrect picture is a real tragedy (kp), Prime Minister, tell us the truth (rep), Lead anew: The creation of new organisations of historically marginalised groups can lead to transformative change, by Subhash Nepali (kp), Undemocratic move: If the lawmakers are barred from putting questions to the PM, it will undermine the parliamentary supremacy (ht), ‘Government should face questions from lawmakers every week’, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), CIEDP probes 85 pc complaints in first phase: Preparing to record statements of alleged perpetrators for the second phase of investigation (ht)

07/01/2019: Provinces to appoint police up to DSP: Schedule 6 of constitution gives provincial  governments exclusive right to oversee their  security affairs, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [The anti-federal government is above law and constitution!], Oli avoids major issues in House, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM lies to House over contract awarded to Huawei, by Sunil Sapkota (rep), PM cherry-picks information that fit govt progress reports (rep), Prime minister digs bigger hole for himself, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Congress to protest if PM does not answer, by Anil Giri (kp), Provincial Assembly snubs Manange, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp), Give fairness a chance: Conflict is caused by inequality, so inclusive development is needed to sustain peace, by Prakash Paudel (kp), Saffronization of Congress: The liberals, moderates and youth leaders in Congress must safeguard their party against the communal, sectarian allure of right wing Hindutva ideology, by Chhering Yonzon (rep), Legal contradictions put local levels in a fix (ht)

06/01/2019: Wide-body Plane Purchase and PAC, by Siddhi B Ranjitkar (km), Adhikari upbeat as criticism builds over aircraft deal: Minister says he will  not resign only for the ‘superficial’ charges  even as it created moral pressure on him, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), ‘Probe panel undermining parliamentary supremacy’: Govt should have formed panel before Parliament started probe’, by Rewati Sapkota (ht), Verdict on Tikapur carnage delayed, by Tekendra Deuba (ht), Road to impunity: Oath to Resham Chaudhary (rep), Will Manange be administered oath?, by Bishan Chhetri (rep), Kathmandu, provinces differ on CDO’s role: According to the bill, the chief district officer reports the law and order situation to the Federal Home Ministry and provincial Internal Affairs Ministry, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Obviously, central government thinking never dies out!], Coalition partner presses for constitution amendment: Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal has handed over an 11-point memorandum to Prime Minister Oli, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), NC, ruling FSFN join the fray for constitution amendment (rep), FSF-N memo seeks statute amendment (ht), Breaking the silence on #MeToo: Women’s silence in Nepal’s feeble #MeToo movement has also to do with illiteracy and socioeconomic disadvantages majority of women face, by Gyanu BK (rep)

05/01/2019: Criminal Code ‘ineffective’ to end Chhaupadi practice, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Government groups local federal units into four categories (kp), In the name of politics: The road to Singha Durbar is not in Dillibazar but in Delhi. When Delhi decides, our netas reconcile, by Guffadi (kp), Army to buy 4 choppers worth Rs 6b for VVIPs: Currently, Nepal Army has two fixed-wing planes and 12 helicopters. The army plans the number of aircraft to 31 by 2082 (rep) [Investments for VVIPs are far more important than those for reconstruction, education, road construction and pollution prevention!], Govt begins amendment discussions with Madhes parties: Prime Minister Oli has promised to study the possibility of withdrawing cases against those RJPN cadres who are currently serving jail-term, according to RJPN leaders (rep) [Such legal matters do not fall within the decision-making scope of the executive! The separation of powers is an essential characteristic of a democratic constitutional state!], Province 2 ready to retaliate if federal govt obstructs exercising constitutional rights: CM Raut , interview with Chief Minister Mohammad Lalbabu Raut (rep), Lawmakers divided over wide-body aircraft scam, by Arpana Ale Magar (rep) [Stop any form of politicisation in the clarification of corruption cases!], Civil servants adjustment: SC summons govt over ordinance provisions, by Jagdishor Panday (ht)

04/01/2019: Cabinet forms panel to probe disputed aircraft purchase: Three-member commission set up after a parliamentary subcommittee charges sitting minister and top bureaucrats with embezzling billions, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Chaudhary sworn in after party’s pressure, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [?????], Why govt let massacre-accused Resham Chaudhary take oath (rep) [There cannot be enough (potential) criminals in leading political positions! The rule of law in democratic states does not allow the participation of persons who are accused of crimes!], Back to jail after oath, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Tikapur victims speak of grave injustice, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Task force recommends reinstating 12 holidays: The incumbent Oli administration had slashed these holidays soon after coming to power last year, saying that the unnecessary  holidays hinder service  delivery to the public, by Anuj Kumar Adhikari (kp), A tightened muzzle: Protracted governmental strategies have led to waning press freedom in Nepal, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (kp), The ship of state, by Rameshwar Bohara (nt)

03/01/2019: Fool me once: The Conflict Victims’ Common Platform could breathe new life into our pursuit for justice, by Binod Kumar Paudel and Rajendra Sechuray (kp), Panel implicates 3 ministers, 29 top officials in wide-body scam (rep), Oli government faces moral quandary: While pressure mounts on the Oli government to open  a fair and comprehensive probe into the case, some  leaders from the ruling Nepal Communist Party say  the government will not take any decision in haste, by Anil Giri (kp), Sky-high corruption: Government must take serious note of the wide-body financial irregularity (kp), Govt trumpets tree plantation ‘success’ (ht), Press freedom anxiety: To demonstrate that it will work as per the spirit of the Constitution, the govt has no option but to amend some of the draconian provisions (ht), Civil society and media: Give them their due, by Dutta Shree Duwadi (Khanal) (ht)

02/01/2019: Violations of press freedom up: Report (kp) [see report by Freedom Forum], 2018, a challenging year for freedom of press: Federation of Nepali Journalists (ht), Transitional Justice Actr: Govt undecided on amendment, by Roshan S Nepal (ht), Bill to amend Nepal Army Act (rep), Together for justice: Charter initiative may further empower perpetrators rather than victims. Dialogue can help us unite, by Om Prakash Aryal, Anita Neupane Thapalia and Ram Bhandari (rep), Ganga Maya to tell her story to the world, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht)

01/01/2019: Torture, disappearings to be moved from military to civilian court, by Ashok Dahal (rep), Around Rs 4b embezzled while buying planes: House sub-panel, by Anil Giri (kp), Journalism in peril: Looking forward to a safer year for journalists (kp), Revelation by reflection: Nepal needs incremental changes from the bottom to change; the top down approach has not worked, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Who is in charge? Nation-building has never been our national policy, by Andrea Upadhya (kp), Migration as Path to Progress, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)

The Legal Stranglehold, by International Federation of Journalists, 3 May 2019

Regressive Laws, Mounting Violations, report by Freedom Forum, 3 May 2019

Nepal: To End Hunger, Strengthen and Implement Right to Food Law. Amnesty International 04 April 2019

Nepal 2018 Human Rights Report, by US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Human Rights Yearbook 2019, by INSEC, 17 February 2019

Fighting inequality in Nepal: The road to prosperity. OXFAM report, 11 January 2019

Media Freedom Deteriorating. Annual media freedom report 2018 by Freedom Forum

Preliminary Comments: Draft Bill to Amend the Act on Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation, 2014], by Amnesty International, ICJ and TRIAL International, 20 July 2018

Preliminary Comments of Conflict Victims’ Common Platform (CVCP) on proposed TJ draft bill to amend Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, Truth and Reconciliation Act, 2014, 17 July 2018

Nepal: Transitional Justice Reform an Urgent Need;
Current Draft Law Does Not Meet International Standards on Prosecuting Worst Crimes, by Human Rights Watch, 7 July 2018

Rule of Law Index 2017-2018 - Nepal, by World Justice Project

Nepal 2017 Human Rights Report, by US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Amnesty International Annual Report 2017/2018 on Nepal, 22 February 2018

Nepal: Transitional Justice Proving Elusive Term Extensions do not Cure Act’s Fundamental Problems. Joint press statement by ICJ, HRW and AI, 13 February 2018

Nepal: Events of 2017, by Human Rights Watch, January 2018

Preliminary results of Nepal’s parliamentary elections of 2017 (with some comparisons to the CA elections of November 2013), by K.-H. Krämer, Nepal Observer 44, 17 December 2017

Gender and Nepal’s transition from war, by Jeevan Baniya, Sambriddhi Kharel, Deepak Thapa and Alexander Ramsbotham. Accord, 14 September 2017

Nepal’s Transitional Justice Process: Challenges and Future Strategy. A Discussion Paper, by International Commission of Jurists, August 2017

Elections in Nepal: 2017 Local Elections, Frequently Asked Questions, by International Foundation for Electoral Systems, 10 May 2017

“Building inequality": The failure of the Nepali government to protect the marginalised in post-earthquake reconstruction efforts (Amnesty International 25/04/2017)

"What I want is for the government to help". Nepal: Ensure the right to adequate housing for the marginalised in post-earthquake Nepal (Amnesty International 25/04/2017)

Two steps forward, one step back
The Nepal peace process, by Deepak Thapa and Alexander Ramsbotham. Accord 26, March 2017

Serious Crimes in Nepal’s Criminal Code Bill, 2014. A Briefing Paper by International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), March 2017

Statement on renewed escalation in Tarai, by Surya Subedi (in Nepali and English, originally: Kantipur, 9 March 2017)

Nepal 2016 Human Rights Report, by US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 3 March 2017

Nepal 206/17, report by Amnesty International, 22 February 2017

Nepal: extending transitional justice commissions without granting real powers betrays trust of victims, by International Commission of Jurists, 10  February 2017

Nepal: Decade After Peace, Scant Progress On Justice; Political Parties Fail to Deliver on Promises, by Human Rights Watch, 18 October 2016

Statement on the CIAA and reports on investigation of Social Science Baha (SSB) and Alliance for Social Dialogue (ASD) (BNAC 01/10/2016)

“Our Time to Sing and Play”: Child Marriage in Nepal, by Human Rights Watch, 7 September 2016 [see also video]

Supporting Safety of Journalists in Nepal. Paris, August 2016

Nepal - Torture and Coerced Confessions, by Amnesty International, 19 July 2016

The Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (Control) Bill, 2014. A Briefing Paper by International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), June 2016

Nepal 2015 Human Rights Report, by US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, 14 April 2016

International Crisis Group: Nepal’s Divisive New Constitution: An Existential Crisis, Asia Report N°276. Brussels, 4 April 2016

INSEC Yearbook 2016 (19 February 2016)

HRW: World Report 2016, Nepal chapter (27 January 2016)

Constitution of Nepal 2015 (unofficial translation by Secretariat of the Constituent Assembly)

BNAC Statement: End the Political Crisis in Nepal and Indo-Nepal Relations (9 November 2015)

International Crisis Group: Nepal: Conflict Alert, Brussels, 2 September 2015)

1st draft of new constitution (07/07/2015, unofficial translation)

Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction (MoPR)

Ways to destroy a nation: bandh calendar

Tracking national and international funding, a tool by Open Nepal Initiative, Young Innovations

Human Rights Watch: Silenced and Forgotten  Survivors of Nepal’s Conflict-Era Sexual Violence. September 23, 2014

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ): Justice denied: The 2014 Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Act. Geneva, May 2014

U.S. Department of State: Nepal 2013 Human Rights Report

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ): Authority without accountability: The struggle for justice in Nepal. Geneva, 29 October 2013

Missing persons in Nepal: Updated list 2013. Report by ICRC, 30 August 2013

Nepal Armed Violence Assessment, by Small Arms Survey, Switzerland

Amnesty International: Nepal: The search for justice. London, 10 January 2013

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ): Compromising justice: Nepal's proposed ordinance on commission on disappeared persons, truth and reconciliation. Geneva, October 2012

OHCHR: Nepal Conflict Report. Geneva, October 2012

International Crisis Group: Nepal's constitution (I): Evolution not revolution. Asia Report No. 233 – 27 August 2012

International Crisis Group: Nepal's constitution (II): The expanding political matrix. Asia Report No. 234 – 27 August 2012

International Crisis Group: Nepal’s Peace Process: The Endgame Nears. Asia Briefing No. 131, 13 December 2011

Adding Insult to Injury: Continued Impunity for Wartime Abuses, report by Human Rights Watch and Advocacy Forum, 01/12/2011

International Crisis Group: Nepal: From two armies to one. Asia Report No. 211, 18 August 2011

International Crisis Group: Nepal’s Fitful Peace Process, Asia Briefing No. 120, Kathmandu/Brussels, 7 April 2011

International Crisis Group. Nepal: Identity politics and federalism. Asia Report No. 199, 13 January 2011

International Crisis Group. Nepal's political rites of passage. Asia Report No. 194, 29 September 2010

International Crisis Group. Nepal: Peace and justice. Asia Report No. 184, 14 January 2010

Report of the Secretary-General on the request of Nepal for United Nations assistance in support of its peace process. 7 January 2010

The Carter Center International Observation Mission in Nepal. First Interim Report. 26 August 2009

UNDP. Nepal Human Development Report 2009, 17 August 2009

International Crisis Group. Nepal’s Future: In Whose Hands? Asia Report No. 173, 13 August 2009 [see complete report]

International Commission of Jurists. Disappearances in Nepal: Addressing the past, securing the future. Briefing paper, March 2009

International Crisis Group. Nepal's Faltering Peace Process. Asia Report No. 163, 19 February 2009 [see full report as PDF file]

Prabin K. Prajapati. Feminist Movements from Global to Local: Has it helped Women Empowerment Process? Patriarchy and Status of Nepali Women. Lund University, Sweden, November 2008

Prabin K. Prajapati. An open letter to prime Minister Prachanda from a victim of People’s War. Lund University, Sweden, 9 September 2008

Prabin K. Prajapati. Development Challenges in New Sociopolitical Structure: A Case of Nepal. Lund University, Sweden, August 2008

International Crisis Group. Nepal’s Election: A Peaceful Revolution? Asia Report No. 155, 3 July 2008 [full text]

International Crisis Group. Nepal’s New Political Landscape. Asia Report No. 156, 3 July 2008 [full text]

United Nations Security Council. Report of the Secretary-General on the request of Nepal for United Nations assistance in support of its peace process. 12 May 2008

Conflict Study Center. Nepal's CA Polls on Third Attempt and Its Challenges. Situation Update 68 (Unedited Version), April 4, 2008

International Crisis Groups. Nepal’s Election and Beyond. Asia Report No. 149, 2 April 2008 [full text as pdf]

Conflict Study Center. Key Parties' Manifestos to CA Polls in Nepal: Comparative Study of the Maoist, UML and NC. Kathmandu, 28 March 2008

Amnesty International. Fear for safety / fear of torture or ill-treatment/ possible enforced disappearance: Tsering Dhondup (m) aged 27. Urgent Action, 27 March 2008

Tek Tamrakar. Federalism with a Dalit perspective. 25 March 2008

Prabin K. Prajapati. Political transition in Nepal: Chances of Resembling Faustian Model of Development. Lund University, Sweden, March 2008

Prabin K. Prajapati. Text and Pretext of New Nepal. Lund University, Sweden, January 2008

Manjushree Thapa. Frieden ist mehr als eine Wahl. Bono-Direkthilfe e.V., 19.12.2007

International Crisis Group. Nepal: Peace Postponed. Asia Briefing No. 72, 18 December 2007

Human Rights and Security Challenges. FES, News Update, 4 December 2008

Krämer, Karl-Heinz. Chancen für eine positive Entwicklung des Friedensprozesses in Nepal. FES, November 2007

Colette Rausch, Shobhakar Budhathoki and Karon Cochran-Budhathoki. Nepal In Transition : Strengthening Security and the Rule of Law. Findings of Nepal Police - Civil Society Dialogue. USIP, Public Report, September 2007

Prabin K. Prajapati. Is Nepalese politics going towards anarchism? A view on CA election postponement. Lund University, Sweden, October 2007

Karon Cochran-Budhathoki and Scott Worden. Transitional Justice in Nepal: A Look at the International Experience of Truth Commissions. USIPeace Briefing, September 2007

Prabin K. Prajapati. CA Election and New Nepal: A Review from Perspective of Democratic Practice. Lund University, Sweden, September 2007

Karon Cochran-Budhathoki and Colette Rausch. Constituent Assembly Elections and Security in Nepal. USIPeace Briefing, August 2007

Amnesty International. Reconciliation does not mean impunity: A Memorandum on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill. 13 August 2007

Canada Forum for Nepal. Send message of unity to Nepal. 6 August 2007

Human Rights Home. Letter to British Ambassador Andrew Hall. 24 July 2007

International Crisis Group. Nepal's troubled Tarai region. Asia Report No. 136, 9 July 2007

Prabin K. Prajapati. YCL, Eight Parties and People's Mandate. Lund, Sweden, July 2007

Karon Cochran-Budhathoki and Colette Rausch. Nepal in Transition: Developing Security and Rule of Law Strategies. USIPeace Briefing, May 2007

International Crisis Group. Nepal’s Maoists: Purists or Pragmatists? Asia Report No. 132, 18 May 2007.

Human Rights Watch. Last Hope: The Need for Durable Solutions for Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal and India (17/05/2007)

Women groups and organisation. Press statement on the non-inclusive new council of ministers. April 2, 2007.

U.S. Department of State. Nepal: Country Report on Human Rights Practices - 2006. Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 6, 2007

International Crisis Group. Nepal's constitutional process. Asia Report No. 128, 26 February 2007

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Nepal: 2007 Common Appeal for Transition Support. Summary of Requirements by Thematic Area as of 23 February 2007

ICRC. List of more than 800 persons still missed in Nepal. 15/02/2007

Interim Constitution, 2063 B.S. (Nepali text). 15/01/2007 [see unofficial English translation]

Relief Web: Nepal: Reports of security incidents - December 21, 2006 - January 10, 2007. 11/01/2007

Conflict Study Center. Nepal’s Interim Constitution: Inspiring Versus Cynical Experience. 31/12/2006

National Democratic Republican Front. Press release, 18/12/2006

International Crisis Group: Nepal’s Peace Agreement: Making it Work. Asia Report No. 126, 15 December 2006 (full report)

Indigenous Women Republican Front (Inworef). Open letter to Mr. Ian Martin, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General to Nepal for proportionate representation and women sensitive peace process. Kathmandu, Nepal, 12/12/2006

Peace Women Alliance, PEWA Nepal. Open letter from Women Peace Alliance, PEWA to Mr. Ian Martin, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General to Nepal for inclusive, proportionate representation and women sensitive peace process. Kathmandu, Nepal, 12/12/2006

Karon Cochran-Budhathoki, Defend Human Rights Movement-Nepal. Security Sector Reform in Nepal: The Role of Civil Society. United States Institute of Peace, December 2006

Conflict Study Center. Situation Update XVII: Nepal’s Culture of Impunity. 09/12/2006

Conflict Study Center. Situation Update XVI: Another Milestone for Peace: Army and Arms Management in Nepal. 01/12/2006

12-Point Understanding Concluded between Seven Political Parties and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), New Delhi, 22 November 2005