Convention of All Nepal Lawyers concluded

Kathmandu, March 5- The 10th convention of All Nepal Lawyers’ concluded issuing The seven-point declaration reinforced the need to go for an election to a constituent assembly, which alone can resolve the current constitutional as well as political impasse dogging the country. “This is the one and only alternative,” the declaration said reiterating support for the seven-party alliance’s roadmap. The roadmap includes reinstatement of the House of Representatives, formation of a powerful all-party government and an election to a constituent assembly through dialogue.

Golden Jubilee Declaration that demanded “immediate dissolution of the current unconstitutional” Council of Ministers.The Association expressed serious concern over chairmanship of the Council of Ministers by the King despite the Supreme Court (SC) verdict on RCCC.The declaration said Nepal’s sovereign power lies in the people. “Now that the SC’s dissolution of the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) has confirmed the insignificance of this government,” the declaration said.The Declaration says, “On the context, the conference, expressing its serious concerns over the existence of the unconstitutional Council of Ministers chaired by the king himself, strongly demands the immediate dissolution of the Council of Ministers.”

Urging the state and the Maoists to immediately declare a ceasefire, the Declaration also demanded for an honest implementation of the 12-point understanding reached between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists, an end to violent activities and creation of an environment conducive for the restoration of peace.The NBA demanded both the state and the Maoists to create a favourable environment for dialogue. “The BAR vows to sincerely remain active in that direction,” the declaration said.

Expressing serious concerns over the appointment of the supporters of last year’s Feb.1 royal takeover to the post of SC justices, the Declaration noted that such acts had violated the norms and values of the judiciary. The conference also demanded that those who impose a ban on political activities and keep people in extrajudicial detention, be presented before the international court.

Elaborating the issue, NBA president Sambhu Thapa warned that the nation would head towards a republican set up if constituent assembly were not agreed to.

Stating that it is the responsibility of the independent judiciary to protect the constitutional supremacy, human rights and the rule of law, the declaration said the Bar feels that the decision to appoint people against the suggestion of the Nepal Bar has offended the norms of the independent judiciary.

It also demanded inclusion of Dalits, women, members of the Janajati community, Madhesis and underprivileged and backward sections of the society into the state mechanism and democratic process.

The conference also condemned what it called the government’s ‘autocratic’ act of imposing ban on peaceful assembly, mass meetings etc. and detaining political leaders, workers, human rights and civil society activists.

The conference denounced the government’s decision to allow the Royal Nepalese Army to operate F. M. radio stations, asked the government to take initiative for the dignified and early repatriation of the Bhutanese refugees and publicise the whereabouts of the people reported as disappeared from the government custody.Asking for an immediate end to acts of issuing ordinances against the Constitution and amending laws, the conference called on all to protest such acts done by the state openly.

The conference also demanded the Media Ordinance 2062 BS be scrapped.

Saying that the recently conducted municipal elections were unconstitutional, the conference also approved that it would not legitimize the outcome.

The conference adopted a resolution put forward by the Kathmandu Bar Association demanding that the US government close down its detention center at the Guantanamo Bay. The conference also demanded that quota free and duty free access be awarded to products manufactured in the Least Developed Countries including Nepal.

During the four-day conference, delegates said they will continue to fight to uphold country’s constitution and rule of law. They recalled that the fourth All Nepal National Lawyers’ Conference had called for the end of the then partyless Panchayat polity and that the lawyers had played an important role in the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990.

Before participating in the conference, the lawyers took out a peaceful rally in favour of peace and democracy and human rights in Kathmandu on saturday morning.

The rally began from Maitighar and converged into a mass gathering at BICC hall, Naya Baneshwor. Around 3,000 lawyers participated in the rally, marking the final day of the conference. The Golden Jubilee Conference of the Nepal Bar Association is to publicize a manifest .