Lawyers Guild to send fact-finding mission to Nepal

Kathmandu Nov 4-The National Lawyers Guild, an association of American lawyers committed for rule of law and civil rights, has decided to send an international fact-finding mission to Nepal.

The mission will assess the situation of overall legal and constitutional environment in Nepal and also monitor the situation of civil liberties and human rights in the country.

The decision was taken during its convention held on October 27 to 31 in Portland, USA. Around 600 participants including lawyers, professors and legal academics took part in the convention from across the America. Guests from Japan, Philippines, Belgium and Nepal also spoke on the occasion.

Making a presentation at the convention, advocate Dinesh Tripathi said massive and systematic human rights violation was taking place in Nepal. He alleged that there was total disrespect for rule of law and constitutional provisions. Independence and authority of judicial branch of the state has been seriously undermined and a large number of court orders have been totally disrespected by the government.

He alleged that ruthless and undemocratic measures are being used to suppress democratic will and aspiration of people. Tripathi said there was ongoing attack from the state against independent Nepali press. He said Nepal needs full attention and active support from the international community. Violation of human rights is a legitimate concern of global community. But unfortunately Nepal is not getting much international attention as its alarming situation demands, he added.

Delegates at the convention expressed serious concern about the situation of civil liberties in Nepal and expressed their support towards the cause of democracy and human rights, according to reports.