Kathmandu, Sept 2: The civil society organisations as well as the stakeholders have expressed serious disagreement with the draft of the Association and Organization Act-2082 BS recently unveiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
They have demanded an inclusive and extensive discussion on the draft. In a discussion organized by the National Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice-Nepal (Human Rights Alliance) here on Tuesday, Alliance’s Chairperson Bidur Subedi cautioned that the new draft brought forward by integrating National Directive Act-2018 , Association Registration Act- 2034 BS and Social Welfare Council Act-2049 BS could curtail the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.
He argued that the draft challenges constitutional rights outlined in the Article 17 to form organizations, freedom of speech and rights to organize peaceful assembly.
Likewise, Samjhana Malla, Chairperson of KIRDARC, mentioned that the draft contains provisions that are anti-association. She emphasized the need for broader consultations to align the draft with the Constitution.
Similarly, Lalit Ojha, General-Secretary of the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) commented that that draft could potentially disrupt the independently functioning of non-governmental, civil and community organizations.
He also warned that the draft would also cause unnecessary administrative hurdles in the process of registration and operation process for CBOs and thereby increasing dependency on the government.
Arjun Bhattarai, Chairperson of NGO Federation of Nepal, asserted that rushing into formulating laws without adequate consultation would weaken democracy.
Furthermore, he viewed that introducing Bills without considering thorough impact studies and discussion could have dangerous consequences.
Bhattarai remarked the current weak role of the political parties and lawmakers, on the contrary to the spirit of the constitution promulgated after decades of struggle, was a cause for concern.
Other participants also called for further discussions on the draft to ensure favorable environment for the organizations to operate and deliver independently and in a congenial atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Representatives of more than two dozen civil society organizations met Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak at the ministry today and submitted a memorandum demanding that CBOs be regulated through Civil Society Organization Facilitation Authority rather than one led by civil servants.
Tara Bahadur Bhandari of Samajwadi Sarathi Sanstha said that the memorandum emphasized that since CSOs are pillars of democracy that reach the grassroots level these organizations should be regulated but not controlled.#nepal #Civil society voices #rss
