Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 29:

Senior lawyers today accused the government of violating the current constitution and not respecting the rule of law in the country.

The lawyers were speaking at a candlelight meeting organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association in Kathmandu protesting the violation of individual rights by the government.

Lawyers across the country organised a candlelight meeting in all the 92 branches of the NBA urging the government to respect the constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. Nepal Bar Association (NBA) president Shambhu Thapa accused the government of derailing the present constitution. He urged the Supreme Court to initiate quick action to re-activate the constitution.

"If the Supreme Court does not tackle such issues effectively, the constitution cannot come to the right track," Thapa said. He also accused the apex court of not handling the issues properly during the 18-month period that helped derail the statute.

"The Supreme Court should protect the constitution which is the guardian of all fundamental rights," Thapa said. According to him, the court should not make such issues null and void without proper hearing.

Senior advocate and former NBA president, Radheshyam Adhikary, accused the government of issuing several ordinances against the spirit of the constitution. "The government rectified the WTO membership by amending the Treaty Act by Ordinance, which was unconstitutional," he said. He also stressed the withdrawal of the decision that declared prohibitory orders, which, according to him, is against the fundamental rights of the people.

Former law minister Subash Nembang urged the lawyers to protest such action against the constitution and democratic values. "It happens to be the suty of the lawyers to protest such actions," he said. Former NBA president, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel urged the government to create a suitable environment to reactivate the constitution.