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Forward, Backward
Reading the developments of May 2005 in Nepal’s political field is like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle. The King has been repeating unwavering commitment towards democracy and human rights. He did so in May too on a couple of occasions. Many political and human rights activists detained after the February 1 change were released during the same month. But the police actions during the month were portraying a different impression.
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Journalists protesting proposed draconian press law |
Whether it was a calculated move or not, but by re-arresting some political activists from inside the premises of the court immediately after the court ordered their release, the administration indicated that it is determined to foil the image that the King is trying to improve. Had the objective been only to re-arrest the persons, they could have waited till they got out of the court premises.
In another development, the US, the EU and the Indian governments have published statements welcoming the recently formed unity among the seven parties and urging the King and the parties to come to a consensus to resolve the crisis. On their part, the political parties staged massive protest demonstrations on the Kathmandu streets on May 22 and 27 and sounded confident in increasing the turnout in the days to come.
Late May, Amnesty International brought out its annual report placing Nepal in the list of countries where the gross violation of human rights is mounting. It may be only a coincidence, but the government released a large number of the political detainees the following day that the AI report was made public. The other countries chastised by AI were Russia, Egypt, Israel, China, Haiti, Sudan and Congo.
Meanwhile, former Chief Justice, Nayan Bahadur Khatri, has been reappointed the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission after the expiry of the office term of its earlier officials. Though human rights activists were demanding the continuation of the incumbents, as the law requires the parliament to appoint new officials in the Commission, the government went ahead and amended the law by an Ordinance paving the way for the appointment of the new people even in the absence of the parliament.
In the Maoist camp, the latest developments have further confirmed the split in the leadership, and there was a report that Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, ousted from his position, had a meeting with a high official of the Communist Party of India, which is one of the constituent factions of the ruling Indian coalition. Though the Indian leader immediately denied that report, the source that first broke the news is still reported to be firm in its veracity.
It seems that an effort is being made by the parties concerned to give an impression that Dr. Bhattarai was in fact an element infiltrated into the Maoist organisation by the Nepali Army or the Indian intelligence. Whatever may be the truth, the developments do not bode well for the Maoist organisation. Its strength is being perceived as weakening day by day.
Though there was a rumour of some changes in the government, that was put to the rest by the King during his speech accepting a felicitation from the Tribhuvan University, when he once more reiterated his commitment to democracy, but denied the argument of the seven political parties to reinstate the parliament and claimed that the days after February 1 have seen improvement in the country’s situation. The conclusion: There is no need to make any change in the present set up. He said that he wanted the parties to be able to be popular and powerful and expressed readiness to talk to them.
Meanwhile, the lawyers and journalists have started quite strong protest campaigns against various unconstitutional activities of the government by staging demonstrations on areas restricted by administrative order. The journalists have won the battle at least on one case when the Supreme Court issued a stay order against the government’s decision to forcefully close down Communication Corner, a radio program producer. The bigger issue being opposed by the journalists is the Ordinance that the government is reported preparing to enforce to control the press freedom.
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