This question set the tone for the study visit to the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden by a high-level delegation of federal and local government officials from Nepal.
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Disclaimer: Views expressed in this commentary are those of the staff member. This commentary is independent of specific national or political interests. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the institutional position of International IDEA, its Board of Advisers or its Council of Member States.
On 17 August 2018, International IDEA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Leena Rikkila Tamang and Antonio Spinelli, Head of Mission for Nepal met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Pradeed Kumar Gyawali in Kathmandu. Discussion covered Nepal’s current political context, and touched upon the journey Nepal has travelled toward consolidation of its democratic system since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2006.
For democracies to thrive, a vibrant and actively engaged citizenry and civil society are essential. Civil society can monitor and hold the state to account, it can infuse a greater diversity of voices into the policy process, and it can act as a force for democratic reform or provide resistance to democratic backsliding.
The year 2017 was significant for elections in Nepal. The nation conducted local elections in May, June and September, as well as provincial and parliamentary elections in November and December. Throughout the local election period, Nepal’s National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) made effective use of International IDEA’s Electoral Risk Management Tool (ERMTool).
The Constitution of Nepal, adopted in 2015, grants women considerable rights—but how can we make sure that the provisions are effectively implemented in the new or amended legal frameworks that are now emerging? This was one of the main issues discussed at the annual Conference of Women Lawyers organized by Nepal’s National Bar Association (NBA) on 1-2 September 2017 in Sindhuli, Nepal.
As part of the ongoing Legal Review Programme, International IDEA and Nepal Law Society (NLS) convened a national-level consultation on 1 September 2017 in Kathamandu, on the Disaster Management Bill presented in the parliament in May 2015, but is yet to be passed given that Nepal is one of world’s most disaster-prone countries, having on a law on this matter would be critical.
For the first time in 20 years, Nepali voters went to the polls to elect their local leaders. Ahead of the third and last phase to be organized on 18 September, here are some fast facts on the Nepal’s local elections of 2017.
1. The local elections forms a key part of Nepal’s transition from a unitary to a federal state.
Nepal is in the process of implementing constitutional provisions to transition from an unitary to federal system.
As part of the ongoing Legal Review Programme, International IDEA and Nepal Law Society convened a national-level interaction and sharing programme on Bill related to the Rights of Victims of Crime in Kathmandu on 14 July 2017.
Gender equality is a cornerstone of a democratic and just society, and International IDEA is committed to supporting democratic processes that empower women.
The constitution-building process provides an extraordinary opportunity for women and gender equality advocates to participate in the framing of democratic institutions.
In 2006, leaders in Nepal came together to sign the Comprehensive Peace Accord, signalling the end of the 10-year armed conflict.
In 2008–12, the first Constitutional Assembly (CA) made remarkable progress in drafting a constitution. However, when the tenure of the first CA ended, key issues remained unresolved, and the constitution could not be finalized.
This publication provides a brief overview of the peace and constitution-building processes in Nepal, starting with the end of decade-long People’s War in 2006 to promulgation of the constitution in 2015. It describes the incredible gains made by national actors over the years and the important supportive role played by the international community.
On 25 April and 12 May the country was struck by two major earthquakes. These devastating events provided a strong impetus to speed up the process of constitution drafting which had been stalled for years due to political disagreements and changes of government.
September 20 became a historic day for Nepal as the new constitution was promulgated, a source of celebration for many and of frustration for some.
This report outlines some of the major disagreements that have arisen during the constitution-building process in Nepal, at times severely threatening the peace process.
It also shows that bringing together opposing groups and finding common ground among them is possible.
Introduction: Risk does encompass more than Violence
"The biggest risk is not taking any risk…. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks." Through the above statement, Mark Zuckerberg precisely observes the importance of managing risks. Risks are not only inevitable but have become an essential part of modern day world.
Many people in Nepal see federalism as a way to empower communities and regions marginalised by the centralization of power, and to acknowledge and further promote the country’s religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity.
Understanding federalism and discussing its key issues and options are at the core of the current constitution making debate.