Justice failed to learn to advocate : Harihar Dahal

Kathmandu, Nov 21 - Hari Har Dahal, former president of Nepal Bar Association (NBA), on Sunday, accused judges of failing to advocate in favor of people on issues of public concern.

Speaking at an interaction organized by Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) in the capital, he also said that the NBA stance remains as intact as before despite the Supreme Court's refusal to issue interim order on the media ordinance. "Justices may have learned more things. But, they failed to learn to advocate in favor of ordinary people," he said.

Nara Hari Acharya, central member of Nepali Congress, said that he was not surprised at all by the decision of the court. Claiming that all three organs of the government are not functioning in accordance with the constitution, Acharya said, "It is not surprising to find those appointed through ordinance refusing to pass their verdict against the ordinance."

Purushottam Dahal, president of HURPES, said the recent verdict of the Supreme Court had degraded its image. Claiming that the court had failed to protect the rights of people, Dahal said, "The recent verdict of the court has degraded its image." He also said that the autocratic nature of the government was clearly exposed through the behavior shown by it in Butwal to foil the mass meeting of CPN-UML.

Shankar Pokharel, central member of CPN-UML, said the movement for absolute democracy alone would guarantee human rights and rights to information in the country. "Though from behind the curtain, attack against media had already begun from Sep 1, 2004." He said.