Kathmandu, March 5

Prime Minister KP Shrama Oli today said that the newly promulgated constitution of Nepal had an elaborate list of human rights and fundamental rights.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 13th SAARC Law Conference and the 10th Chief Justices’ Conference here today, the PM said some of the rights contained in the constitution of Nepal were not there even in the constitutions of many developed countries.

“Our constitution is thus uniquely progressive and forward-looking,” the PM said.

He said the new constitution written by an elected Constituent Assembly and endorsed by an overwhelming majority embodied hopes and aspirations of all segments of the Nepali society — diverse yet harmonious.

“It is our firm belief that fair and competent judiciary and justice system are vital in protecting and promoting people’s rights and fundamental freedom, thereby strengthening democratic institutions and good governance,” the PM added.

The PM said the challenges that the South Asian countries were facing were common and so were their aspirations for peaceful, prosperous and just society.  “We all face challenges of ensuring good governance, preventing crimes and corruption, rendering effective public services to our people and establishing justice system which is efficient, fair, accessible and affordable to the people,” PM Oli added.

He further said justice systems in the region faced common constraints and quests that relate to speedy delivery of justice, enhancing people’s access to justice and strengthening legal framework.

South Asian legal communities have, therefore, important responsibility to deliberate on and identify measures SAARC members should take, individually and collectively, to make the region better governed. The best way to prosper together is to connect our peoples and places — through roads, railways, ports and airports, he added.

Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha said the new constitution was based on the principle of inclusivity and it had ensured 33 per cent representation of women in the Parliament. He said the conference would discuss other features of the constitution. He said South Asia needed a regional approach in law with a defence mechanism in place.  “We need a regional approach in law and judicial cooperation to control criminal behavior and impunity,” he added.

President of SAARC Law Nepal Purna Man Shakya said Nepal’s constitution had to accommodate legitimate aspirations of the people. “If the constitution cannot bend to accommodate people’s aspiration, it will break. Only time will tell how our constitution will tackle the challenges,” he added.

Shakya said if the constitution failed, Nepal could witness deep conflicts. The two-day conference was inaugurated by President Bidhya Devi Bhandari. Over 300 delegates are taking part in the conference, which will discuss 32 papers that will be presented by legal scholars of the region.