Kathmandu, September 22

The world community, including the US, Germany, France, China, Pakistan and Norway, welcomed the promulgation of the constitution and congratulated Nepal and the Nepali people.

“The United States congratulates the people of Nepal on their steadfast commitment to democracy,” US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said in Washington DC. “The promulgation of the constitution is an important milestone in Nepal’s democratic journey.”

Kirby stated that the government must continue efforts to accommodate the views of all Nepalis and ensure that the constitution embraces measures consistent with globally accepted norms and principles, including gender equality, religious freedom, and the right to citizenship.

He also called on all Nepalis to continue to engage in the democratic process through peaceful, non-violent means and urged Nepali security forces to exercise restraint as people express those democratic rights.

While ‘acknowledging’ the new constitution, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the Constitution was a living document, and urged all political leaders to act in the broad national interest and with continued flexibility and inclusivity.

He also expressed concerned about the recent violence and stressed the importance of dialogue and non-violence as well as respect for peaceful protest and freedom of assembly, according to a statement attributed to Ban’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said Beijing sincerely congratulates Nepal on promulgating the new constitution, and hopes to see Nepal take this opportunity to realise national unity, stability and development.

Welcoming the document, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said: “Nepal is entering a new chapter in its history and is now a country with a democratic constitution. It has laid the foundation of democracy and rule of law which provides the basis for a positive economic and political future.”

He further hoped that the violent unrest which has erupted in the Tarai region would be resolved through dialogue between demonstrators and the government, and that the inclusion of all nationalities would be continued.

Pakistan also welcomed the constitution drafted by the elected representatives of the Nepali people. Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the historic event as a major milestone in Nepal’s democratic development, according to a statement released by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu.

Endorsing the new Charter, French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson in Paris said that with the Charter Nepal’s political process initiated in 2008 has been completed.

Norway also congratulated Nepal saying the issuance of the new charter was a “milestone in Nepal’s history and democratic development”.

The Nordic country also encouraged the Nepali leadership to work jointly for a peaceful implementation of the document.

Earlier, Japan, United Kingdom and Switzerland had also welcomed the new constitution, calling it the culmination of Nepal’s peace process.