AHRC dubs Nepal govt inept for failing to maintain peace and order, protect rights !

File- A truck set on fire by protesters in Birgunj.

KATHMANDU:

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said that Nepal lacks reliable institutions to deal with a humanitarian crisis or human rights violations.

Issuing a statement from Hong Kong on the occasion of Human Rights Day today, the rights watch dog criticised the Government of Nepal for failing to properly deal with the humanitarian crises in the wake of devastating earthquake and the violent agitation in Tarai-Madhes region.

“With all this upheaval in Nepal in 2015, something became clear. There are no readily available, reliable institutions to deal with a humanitarian crisis or human rights violations, by protesters or police,” it said in a statement.

“The government clearly looked inept as it tried to maintain peace and order in society, and protect the human rights of people.”

The AHRC went on to tag Nepal’s Constitution as Brahminical constitution promulgated by the top three Brahmin leaders from the top three political parties taking advantage of the crisis created by the earthquake and in spite of protests all over the country.

To resolve the ongoing agitation, the AHRC pointed out the need for political dialogue and a written commitment leading to the early amendment of the Constitution, which it said should reflect past agreements on electoral constituency, delineation based on population, on equal citizenship rights, on proportional inclusion, and the revision of provincial boundaries..

The AHRC warned of more fatalities if the government kept “marching ahead with the view ‘Let the protesters shower with bullets’.”

Concluding that Nepal natural disasters and human rights violations committed before and after the constitution’s promulgation have destroyed Nepal, AHRC said that this critical time could be an opportunity for the government to reach out to the people.

“Now is a special time for Nepal as a people, to rebuild the nation and radically redesign and fundamentally transform already available institutions. Topmost priority must be given to the justice institutions,” the AHRC added in a consolatory note.