A Joint Appeal from Human Rights Activists and Leaders from Civil Society Organisations

There is a serious doubt that the new constitution would be promulgated within a time bound by Constituent Assembly (CA) due to unresolved ambiguities, lack of consensus and unnecessary wrangling between the political parties. The proposals brought up by some of the political parties and individual leaders asking for extension of the term of the CA has left us in a state of perplexity and suspicion. We would like to draw the attention of all the concerned people and interested stakeholders that such an attempt to extend the term of CA is neither constitutional nor ethical and would not be easily accepted as it is against the spirit of democracy and the will of Jana Aandolan II.

It is imperative that the present political deadlock and inter-party conflict get resolved and high level political consensus be reached between the parties. Though there have been efforts recently to end the political stalemate and resolve the divisive issues over the civilian supremacy and jurisdiction of the President and the Prime Minister, uncertainty still pertains over these issues as they have not been able to reach to any conclusion so far.

Moreover, the proposal for the extension of the term of CA has created confusions amongst everyone. If the constitution is not drafted as per the stipulated time then it is certain that the votes of the Nepali people in the historic Constituent Assembly Elections will be rendered meaningless: the power of the votes will stand no more. We urge all the political parties not to make any agreements that do not address the issues of civilian supremacy and trespass the principles of democracy and the success of unprecedented Jana Andolan II.

We appeal to all the political parties to prioritize the making of new constitution within the time frame as allocated, prosper development and bring the peace process to a logical end. They should not resort to any non-governmental amendment proposal to extend the term of the CA that would jeopardize the peace process and take the constitution drafting to derailment. We also demand for the democratic and inclusive participation of all the Nepalese in the constitution making process and strongly suggest them to avail the draft of new constitution to all the people and concerned individuals for their inputs and recommendations.

To ensure sustainable peace and progress in the Democratic Republic of Nepal, the makers of the constitution including political parties, leaders and legislators must put aside their differences and rise above their personal and political interests to work with cooperation for the ultimate welfare of the people.  We strongly urge the political parties to no longer get indulged in matters that are beyond national priorities and instead emphasize to write a fresh people’s constitution on the stipulated time.

S.N    Names                                          Organization

1.    Daman Nath Dhungana               Senior  Human Rights Activist

2      Padma Ratna Tuladhar                  President, Forum for Protection of Human Rights  

3      Prof. Kapil Shrestha                      Former Member, NHRC

4      Prof. Dr Mathura Shrestha             Senior Human Rights Activist

5      Dr Arjun Karki                              Immediate Past President, NFN

6      Sushil Pyakurel                              Fomer Member, NHRC 

7      Dr Netra Timsina                          President, NGO Federation of Nepal

8      Dr Renu Rajbhandari                     President, Women’s Rehabilitation Center Nepal

9      Birendra Pokharel                          President, National Federation of Disabled Nepal

10    Dr Birendra Mishra                        Senior Human Rights Activist

11    Pasang Sherpa                               President, NFIN

12    Charan Kumar Prasai                    Coordinator, Joint Forum for Human Rights

13    Subodh Raj Pyakurel                      President, Human Rights Home/INSEC

14    Pradip Pokharel                             President, Human Development & Peace Campaign  

15    Kedar Khadka                               Director, Pro Public

16    Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti             President, INHURED International

17    Bishnu Pukar Shrestha                   President, Campaign for Human Rights and Social

                                                                 Transformation

18    Bhawani Prasad Kharel          General Secretary, National Human Rights Foundation

19    Ghanashyam Pandey               President, Federation of Community Forestry UsersNepal

20    Ganesh B.K                                  President, National Human Rights Alliance

21    Rajendra Aryal                              President, Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users  Nepal

22    Bom Bahadur Biswakarma           General Secretary, Dalit NGO Federation

23    Sharmila Karki                               President, Jagaran Nepal

24    Arjun Bhattarai                              President, Forum of Development Journalists

25    Dr Sarbaraj Khadka                       Director, Rural Reconstruction Nepal

26    Ram Lakhan Harijan                      General Secretary, NFIWUN

27    Kabindra Burlakoti                         President, Association of Youth Organizations Nepal  

28    Dr Bhogendra Sharma                   Chairperson, The Centre for Victims of Torture

29    Shobha Gautam                             President, Institute of Human Rights CommunicationNepal

30    Madhav Pradhan                           President, Child Workers in Nepal

31    Bishnu Khatri                                Director, Youth Action Nepal

(The press statement is a translation of the press release originally issued in Nepali language on October 1st 2009)