Government ban unconstitutional, says Nepal Bar Association
Around two weeks after the government’s decision to ban the activities of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, Nepal Bar Association, an umbrella body of lawyers, has termed the ban unconstitutional.
Around two weeks after the government’s decision to ban the activities of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, Nepal Bar Association, an umbrella body of lawyers, has termed the ban unconstitutional.
It has claimed that the decision of the government to stop activities of a political party is against the spirit of the Article 270 of the Constitution of Nepal, which says no restriction can be imposed in the formation and operation of political parties. The association has asked the government to immediately revoke its decision and allow the party to carry out its political activities.
Stating that similar acts by governments in the past had failed to yield positive results, it has asked the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.
“This is a political problem, therefore it needs to be dealt with politically,” said Sher Bahadur KC, chairperson of the association. He said that banning the party activities will only escalate the conflict, which will benefit none.
The association, which currently is dominated by lawyers close to the main opposition Nepali Congress, has also called on the CNP to give up its violent activities and find a solution through dialogue. “While the government needs to exercise restraint, the Chand-led party also needs to renounce violence,” KC added. The government has detained more than 45 leaders and cadres of the party after imposing the ban. The Chand party’s violent activities in the run-up to the second investment summit, scheduled for March 29-30, has become a cause for concern for the government.
Efforts on to hold talks with Chand outfit, Nepal says
CHITWAN: Senior leader of Nepal Communist Party Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that efforts are on to hold talks with the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal. NCP leader Som Prasad Pandey is trying to reach out to the CPN leaders to hold talks, Nepal told reporters in Bharatpur, Chitwan, on Tuesday. The CPN leader also urged Chand to join mainstream politics and use his energy and experience to transform the country. (PR)
Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice.
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