Interim Constitution Finalised

The ruling Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists finalized the much awaited interim constitution on 16 December 2006 . While remaining silent on the issue of head of state, they have agreed to transfer all authorities of the head of state to the prime minister during the transitional period. The interim constitution will be approved by the Council of Ministers, adopted at the House of Representatives and will be approved by the Interim Parliament once the management and the monitoring of arms and armies start according to the lately signed Peace Agreements. However, Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi) called for a Madhesh Bandh (Terai closure) on December 25 to protest against the signing of interim constitution. The party wrote 'a note of dissent' on the interim constitution and accused the seven-party leaders of ignoring its demand to declare Nepal as federal, inclusive and democratic Republic State in the interim constitution itself. The main characteristics of the new interim constitution are as follows : Prime Minister will use all executive powers of head of the state. Fate of the monarchy will be decided by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. The property of the Late King Birendra, Late Queen Aishwarya and their relatives would be put in the Trust under Nepal government and be utilized for the nation's betterment. The property that King Gyanendra received in the capacity of the head of the state will be nationalized. Nepal is defined as an independent, indivisible, sovereign, inclusive and complete democratic state with religious secularism. Women's rights and clauses of untouchability and caste discrimination have been mentioned in fundamental rights. Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers. Constituent Assembly will have 425 members including 409 from election based on mixed electoral system and 16 from nomination. National Human Rights Commission will be set up as constitutional body. Council of Minister will appoint Chief of Army Staff. The Special Committee of Council of Ministers would be responsible for supervision, accommodation and rehabilitation of Maoists Army. Fresh oath of office for judges has been made mandatory. Education, healthcare and employment are out of fundamental rights, but included in state's directive principles. The traditional national symbols have been retained the same. Six-member Security Council will mobilize national army. The provision of forming a unicameral legislation has been made, which includes 330 members.

Recent Developments: Maoists react sternly against government's decisions

The Maoists organized valley Bandh (closure) on 19 December in protest to the government's nominations of ambassadors to 14 countries and the appointments of national human rights commission officials without Maoists' consultation. The abrupt closure affected the general life heavily in the capital and even outside the valley. Likewise, Maoists refused to participate in the UN-led joint monitoring committee 's assessment tour scheduled for 18 December to decide on the arms storage site. Furthermore, CPN-M also called for general strike on December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2007 to forcefully comply withdrawing all the unilateral decisions made by the government. However, Maoists withdrew the strikes after the government assured them that it would not proceed ahead with its lately made political decisions without their consultation. With this assurance of government, the nomination and appointment process of ambassadors and National Human Rights Commission officials has been stopped. Earlier on 18 December, government had nominated ambassadors for 14 countries and some officials for National Human Rights Commission. Besides, news of clashes, minor and unarmed though, between the security forces and the Maoists in various places drew much attention last weeks. Similarly, news on Maoists disrupting the municipal and village development committee's council meetings and padlocking the district education offices in various districts was a commonplace. Also the Maoists have resorted to protesting against the re-establishment of police posts in different parts of the country, which were removed during the conflict. The media reports say that Maoists have foiled the re-establishment of the police posts in many places and have even captured a few of them during last weeks.

Taskforce on Rome Statute submits report

A taskforce formed to analyse the ramifications of Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the liabilities on Nepal once it becomes a signatory, submitted its report on 14 December. According to media reports, the taskforce has, apart from weighing the ramification of the Rome Statute in future, made recommendations for necessary legal and institutional frameworks to be developed by the country before adopting the international accord. The deputy Prime Minister has said that the government would study the report of the taskforce and take steps towards signing the Rome Statute.

43 killed since April truce : National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Presenting a report on 13 December, the National Human Rights Commission said as many as 43 people were killed by both the government and the Maoists during the six-months following the announcement of ceasefire in April 2006. Report said that 11 were killed by the government's security forces and 15 by the Maoists since April 26 when the truce was declared. Likewise, five were killed by resistance groups, villagers or unidentified groups killed 7 while five people died in accidental explosions during the period. The findings were based on the 1158 different complaints lodged at the NHRC.

Stray bomb kills a student in Ramechhap district

A 16-year-old student was killed when a bomb, reportedly left behind by the Maoists before the ceasefire, went off in Ramechhap district of central region on 21 December. The student died on the spot when the bomb exploded near his house. Not knowing that it was a bomb, he brought the explosive with him when he found it on the road, reports said.

IDPs asked to get registered

The Home Ministry on 13 December appealed to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to contact and register themselves with the District Administration Office in their respective district that they are currently residing in, by December 30, and help in the documentation of IDPs. The ministry has also requested political parties and social organizations to help the documentation process.

UN team finishes assessment

The United Nations Technical Assessment Mission on 16 December completed its assessment work on the requirements for monitoring personnel, logistical support and resources for the monitoring of arms and armies. The mission's report will soon be sent to the UN headquarters for approval of the Secretary-General for further proceedings.

111 ex-Gurkhas to be recruited for arms monitoring

On 21 December, the government, Maoists and the United Nations agreed to immediately recruit 111 Gurkha ex-servicemen of the Indian and British armies for the purpose of arms monitoring. The ex-servicemen - also called "ex-Gurkhas" - are being recruited for an interim period until all the UN monitors are on the ground for monitoring the arms and armies of the government and the Maoists.