PHA-Exchange> Putting end to the state of emergency in Nepal for ever

[Mathura P Shrestha]

Dear All

Now that the parliament can not endorse the state of emergency after the
present expiry is a relief to all. The government is expected not to be so
shameless to bring it by ordinance just before the normal session of the
parliament. I hope that all the law and policy makers in Nepal will come of
age and will play and active role in bringing end for all the time to come
to the state of emergency that grossly ruined all aspects normalcy,
development and tranquility, including security, in the country. Nepal is in
the brink of crisis because of the Emergency. I also hope that there will be
end of  so-called anti-terrorist laws and all other provisions that go
against the principles of human rights and international humanitarian laws.

However, there is still danger of bringing back the state of emergency and
extra-constitutional provisions from the back door or by violating all the
norms of the rule of law. Regressive and revivalist reactions of the dead
autocratic Panchayat rule, and irresponsible militarist traits in the ruling
circle are active to force their will without regard to the constitution,
national laws or international conventions of which Nepal has become a part.
They forget the capacity of the people of Nepal to exercise their sovereign
rights whenever the history calls upon their conscience. Many historical
revolutions of the past, including 1990 revolution, have shown their ability
to force the political process including the minds and behavior of political
leaders by way of open and spontaneous uprisings. In Nepal, people expect
the political leaders to follow their dictates rather than other way round.
Nepalese people hate to be dubbed as the blind follower of leaders. Instead
they expect the leaders to be guided by the will of the people and be
responsible to their authority delegated by the people for the social
progress and development. By way of painful experience the people of Nepal
now have developing their intent and capacity to throw the dead woods that
thrives on unjust expropriation, exploitation and oppression to the dustbin
of the history.

However, people of Nepal expect international solidarity, and moral and
informed support - but not the enslaving aid packets or charity - for their
landing to the new epoch of democracy where people actively participate in
all the sociopolitical affairs of their country and culture without
interference from foreign domains.

Mathura P. Shrestha.