Maoists are bent on making undemocratic
constitution: Vice President Paudel <Top>
Rajdhani Correspondent
Kathmandu May 27
Vice-President of Nepali Congress Ram
C. Paudel blamed Maoists for attempting to make undemocratic
constitution. He said this in a seminar organized by Nepal
Press Union on "Role of Working Journalists in the
New Constitution." He added that the draft of the
constitution it prepared has provision to control party
and press and their activities generated fear in the minds
of other parties. He also suggested accepting the democratic
values of 21st Century and jettisoning archaic ideas.
He also blamed that it is dreaming to capture state power
through combatants in the cantonment, integrate Maoists
into the army thus forgetting the values of democracy.
Samir Shah, president of NPU, said that political parties
approach in press varies during their stay in power and
outside. Many Congress leaders Dr. Prakash S. Mahat, Shovakar
Parajuli, Harihar Birahi, Dharmendra Jha spoke on the
occasion.
Source: Rajdhani Daily
(27 May 2009)
The step of President is based on his
rights to maintain checks and balance <Top>
Lalitpur, May 18, The senior leader
of Nepali Congress Party and former Prime Minister Sher
Bahadur Deuba supporting the step of the President said
that the provision of president is inserted in the constitution
to prevent the abuse of power by the Prime Minister. In
order to maintain checks and balance and abuse of power
independent institutions such as court, Public Service
Commission, Attorney General Press and opposition party
have been created. This remark was made by Deuba in a
seminar "Democratic Socialism" organized by
Martyrs Memorial Foundation in Cooperation with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
(FES) Nepal office. He also added that the step of President
to order the Army Chief to continue his post was constitutional
aimed at protecting the constitution and democracy. He
added since the case is there in the court all should
respect its verdict.
Vice-Chairperson of CPN-UML party Viday
Devi Bhandari stating that the step of the president is
historical and bold added that Maoist combatants can not
be put into equal footing with Nepal Army which is national
in character.
Source: The Gorkhapatra Daily
(19 May 2009)
Education for Women Empowerment
<Top>
Kathmandu, March 7, Rajdhani Correspondent
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Kedar
Prasad Giri said that a lot has to be done to empower
Nepalese women. He said this during a seminar "Inclusion
of Women's Rights in New Constitution," organized
by Modern Girl Multiple College in cooperation with FES,
Germany. Women of Nepal lagged behind due to social transcript
of society. The Secretary-General of CPN-UML Ishwor Pokhrel
argued that women's organizations must be alert about
the inclusion of their rights in the new constitution.
He even warned of the serious consequences to peace if
women are deprived of their legitimate rights. Political
parties must work together to achieve the goals of peace
accord.
Nepali Congress leader Mahesh Acharya
said that social equality must be established in the constitution
by eliminating discriminatory laws and domestic violence
against women. They need to be guaranteed right to reproductive
health and provided access to income generating activities.
Prof. Dr. Indira Sharma opined that women require gender
mainstreaming, proportional rights and empowerment in
every aspect of human life. Lack of evaluation of domestic
work done by women is the major factor of discrimination.
It should be reflected in the national account system.
Campus Chief. Ram Prasad Dahal stressed
on the need for women's education seeking their participation
in all aspects. Women of urban areas too need to go to
the rural areas to mobilize rural women and support their
education and rights. Planner Dr. Goivind Bahadur Thapa
presented a paper on women's status in Nepal and inclusion
of their rights in the new constitution while journalist
Arati Chataut presented on women's rights. The organizers
informed that they will submit their report to the Constituent
Assembly.
Source:
Rajdhani Daily (8 March 2009)
Seminar on
State-Building and Constitutional Questions <Top>
Gaindakot, Nawalparasi, Febriuary 21
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nepal
organized a two-day seminar to debate on various questions
of constitutions, such as state-building, public consultation
on constitution, federalism,form of government and the
peace process. Constitutional expert Kashi Raj Dahal initiated
lively discussion on the various models of constituional
democracy and federalism. Head of FES Dev Raj Dahal explained
the necessary elements for state, condition of Nepali
state and its links to democracy. He argued that Nepali
state's monopoly on power, tax, loyalty of citizens and
international recognition is eroding. It must restore
all these elements to escape from being a failed state,
construct sovereignty and modernize nation-building process.
Another speaker Khagendra Prasai debunked Nepal's various
social myths and argued for the need of scientific and
rational outlook to internalize the principles of democracy
and human rights in the life of society.
Source: Kayakairan Daily (21
February 2009)
Seminar
on Constitution <Top>
Sankhu, FEbruary 9, Monday: Friedrich-Ebert-STiftung
(FES) Nepal organised a one-day seminar on "Initiative
for Democracy Building: State Building and Constitutional
Question"social organisation, schools, politicians
and opinion makers are initiated to participate.
Kashi Raj Dahal spoke on key questions
of state restructuring and constitution, such as role
of Constitution Assembly committees, federalism, forms
of government, integration of Maoists combatants and peace
building.
Chandra Dev Bhatta explained the principles
of democracy and initiated discussions.
Dev Raj Dahal responded the questions
of floor discussion and explained the key features of
modern state.
Attended by 71 local participants FES
also distributed books on HAndouts of Democracy and Building
Modern State and Constitutional Questions.
Source: Paramarsa Weekly
(9 February 2009)
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