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The United Nations has welcomed the adoption of the new transitional justice law in Nepal.

The UN has stated that the adoption of new transitional justice legislation in Nepal marks an important step in the nation’s long journey towards accountability and reconciliation.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday that the amendment bill, entitled the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth, and Reconciliation Commission Act, aims to ensure truth and accountability for serious human rights violations committed by all parties during Nepal’s civil war. 

Türk affirmed that his Office was ready to assist Nepal in taking this crucial phase of the peace process forward.

“Eighteen years since the end of the decade-long conflict, and after several previous attempts to finalize such legislation, victims of human rights violations are now closer to knowing the truth, accessing justice, and obtaining reparations,” Türk said, issuing a statement in Geneva, Switzerland.

Likewise, Türk commended Nepal to have become “a regional and global example of a successful peaceful transition towards democratic, constitutional, and federal governance”.

“Transitional justice is a powerful instrument to break cycles of violence and impunity, and a unique opportunity to revisit some of the rooted inequalities and discrimination that led to the conflict,” the UN rights chief mentioned.

The House of Representatives (HoR) and National Assembly (NA) have endorsed the Bill related to transitional justice.

The HoR meeting passed the Bill related to Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Third Amendment), 2081 on August 14 while the NA meeting passed it on Thursday. 

Originated in the HoR, the bill will be sent to the President for authentication after HoR Speaker Devraj Ghimire's certification. The bill will take the form of an Act to come into force after the President's authentication.

Amid growing concerns over the future of Nepali medical students studying abroad, a group of students recently met with top government officials to voice their concerns and demands. They met with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana, Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Bidya Bhattarai, as well as top political leaders and officials from the Nepal Medical Council (NMC) and Medical Education Commission (MEC) and other medical organizations. During these meetings, the students presented a two-point demand letter, asking the Nepal government to arrange internship placements within the country.

Students who complete their MBBS examinations in Bangladesh are required to undertake mandatory internships at hospitals affiliated with various medical colleges before graduating. A year of internship is essential to qualify as a medical doctor. The students argue that providing internships in Nepal would help retain skilled young professionals, familiarize them with the local medical system and improve healthcare services nationwide.

Navin Yadav, chair of the Nepalese Medical Students’ Association, Bangladesh, who is leading the campaign, expressed his frustration thus: “Despite the desire to study in our home country, the situation of being forced to leave our families and country for education, along with the long-term commitment, hard work, high fees and numerous other challenges to obtain a degree, it is disheartening that there are no facilities to support and encourage us in our own country.”

The students have also requested an amendment to the provision requiring a six-month internship for the license examination conducted by the NMC. They advocate for these internships to be scheduled immediately following the MBBS final exams, eliminating unnecessary delays.

“Nepali students must pay the internship fee at the time of admission, which is typically five years in advance, in order to do an internship at a private medical college in Bangladesh. This fee is then returned to them monthly as a salary,” Yadav says. “Even those who study in government medical colleges do not receive any stipend while doing their internship.”

Many organizations have been established in the name of advancing the medical field, yet despite being led by doctors themselves, students complain that these bodies are not taking the lead in improving the medical system, supporting healthcare workers, or enhancing the overall system. The students stressed the absence of policies and opportunities that would encourage young professionals to stay in Nepal and contribute to its development. They questioned when the corrupt mentality of forcing qualified professionals to go abroad for personal gain will end. The students also argued that the state should set clear criteria for colleges and universities, ensuring that those who study abroad for medical education should be permitted to study only in institutions that meet these standards.

Dr Choplal Bhusal, chairperson of the NMC and former ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, acknowledged that while he understands the students’ concerns, their demands cannot be addressed as the council’s regulations require internships to be completed in the country where the students are studying. “Nepal does not even have the capacity to provide internships for medical students studying abroad,” he explained. “Moreover, Nepali students who go abroad to study medicine do so with the permission to complete their internships in the respective country’s colleges. The internship system in Nepal is complex, and amending the council’s laws and regulations is not an easy process. The Cabinet would need to make such decisions.”

However, the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Nepal has expressed its readiness to provide internship facilities to Nepali medical students who return home after leaving their internships midway in Bangladesh. Issuing a statement, the association expressed concern about the students’ academic progress and future. “We are deeply concerned about the well-being of Nepali students in Bangladesh during such a difficult time. However, in our country, such cases are not being addressed with the seriousness they deserve,” read the statement signed by Prof Dr Gyanendra Man Singh Karki, president of the association. Neighboring countries like India and even Bangladesh also allow students to complete their internships within the country.

Meanwhile, the Nepal government is awaiting a report from a study committee formed under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to study the issue. Although the committee was given a 10-day deadline that ended on Aug 20, the report has yet to be published or submitted. The students have warned that they will start protests if their demands are not met.

In July 2021, when several Nepali medical students returned home from China during the Covid-19 pandemic without completing their internships, the MEC allowed them to complete their remaining internships in Nepal. “Students from Bangladesh are seeking a similar response, especially given the current political turmoil in Bangladesh,” says Yadav. 

Due to ongoing protests in Bangladesh, most Nepali medical students, including those in the middle of their internships, have returned home. An estimated 3,500 Nepali students, the majority of whom are pursuing medical degrees, are enrolled in various Bangladeshi universities. According to Nepal’s embassy in Dhaka, about 400 students remain in Bangladesh. However, the students’ demands extend beyond the current emergency situation; they are calling for a permanent change in the law to allow internships in Nepal. 

Additionally, the students have urged the government to address the shortage of medical seats in Nepal, which forces many to seek education abroad. “We are forced to go abroad for medical education due to the lack of seats in Nepal. This not only affects us but also has economic implications for the country. If we could study here, we could do so safely,” read the statement submitted by the students to various ministries.

This week, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba made an official visit to India at the invitation of Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar. While her discussions with Jaishankar focused on bilateral issues, her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi garnered the most attention. It is rare for Nepali foreign ministers to meet Modi during their visits to New Delhi, and those who do often gain significant political traction back home.

In Nepal, Rana’s meeting with Modi has sparked various interpretations. Some view it as a sign of the high priority India places on its relationship with Nepal. Others suggest that recent developments in Bangladesh may have prompted New Delhi to engage more closely with its neighbors. CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal quickly added to the speculation, claiming that Rana’s meeting with Modi might have unsettled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Dahal hinted that India’s treatment of Rana as an equal to the prime minister might have been a calculated move, especially as Oli awaits an invitation to visit New Delhi. 

There is now speculation about a potential visit by Modi to Nepal, which would reverse the traditional pattern of Nepali prime ministers visiting India first. People are curious whether India has formally invited Oli to India.

Another important news this week concerned the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). It has been a year since MCC came into effect in Nepal. This week, the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) shared an update on the progress made over the past year. MCA-Nepal announced that it has completed the procurement for some contracts and made significant strides in preparing sites for contractors. However, doubts remain about whether the two MCC projects—a transmission line and a road upgrade—will be completed within the five-year timeline, given that four years now remain. Although political opposition to the MCC has waned, frequent changes in government and bureaucratic reshuffling continue to pose challenges. The successful implementation of the MCC is a priority for the US, particularly given opposition from communist parties and China.

Talking about the growing American interest in Nepal, US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R Verma visited Nepal this week. During his visit, he met with top political leaders and made significant announcements, including US support for the Nepali Army. Foreign Minister Rana, via a post on X, announced that the US would provide Nepal with two Skytrucks and two additional Bell helicopters to support disaster management efforts.

There was also a welcoming development for young content creators and small business owners this week, as the government made an announcement to lift the ban on TikTok, which was imposed a year ago. Following directives from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the Ministry of Communications has begun preparations for the ban’s removal. Last year, the government, led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, banned TikTok citing concerns about social cohesion. After the ban, TikTok representatives lobbied intensively, promising to remove objectionable content. They argued that the government banned the app without providing any specific reasons, noting that Nepal is one of TikTok’s largest markets in South Asia. At the time, the ban had broad political support despite concerns about free speech.

Now onto the ongoing internal conflict inside CPN (Maoist Center). It appears that Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and senior leader Janardhan Sharma have reconciled following a tense exchange at the party meeting. Sharma is the first leader since Mohan Baidya and Baburam Bhattarai (2006-2015) to openly challenge Dahal’s leadership. He made two strong points: Dahal should pass the party leadership to younger leaders, and Dahal used state agencies to punish Sharma and others when in power. Currently, three leaders—Sharma, Barsha Man Pun, and Narayan Kaji Shrestha—are vying to succeed Dahal as party chair. However, Dahal is reluctant to relinquish power and is instead working to strengthen the party by forming alliances with fringe Maoist factions and the CPN (Unified Socialist) led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. Dahal is reportedly trying to convince Nepal to support party unification by offering him the position of prime minister.

This week, the federal parliament passed a bill to amend some controversial clauses in the transitional justice Act. While major political parties support the bill, some human rights organizations and conflict victims have criticized it, arguing that it does not meet international standards. This opposition could undermine the effectiveness of the two transitional justice bodies, as has happened in the past. On a positive note, most major countries, except India, have welcomed the passage of the bill, which will be crucial for the success of transitional justice mechanisms. Attention is now focused on upcoming appointments to the transitional justice bodies.

Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Bidya Bhattarai revealed this week that officials at the Tribhuvan University (TU) have been receiving threats. In a social media post, she requested that the Ministry of Home Affairs provide security for the officials and address the growing problem of hooliganism in educational institutions. She emphasized that turning educational institutions into arenas for political conflict is a troubling trend that political parties must take seriously.

In another story this week, the Ministry of Health and Population raised concerns about the risk of monkeypox infection, which is spreading rapidly in Asia. Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki warned that with the infection spreading in neighboring India, Nepal is also vulnerable. It’s worth noting that a 60-year-old foreign woman was diagnosed with the virus in Nepal last year.

Also this week, the news about the devastating flood caused by a glacial lake outburst at a village in the Everest region raised alarms, particularly among climate scientists and environmentalists. Although no casualties were reported in the incident, the scale of the flood was huge. The flood, which tore through the village of Thame, underscores the growing risk posed by glacial lake outbursts in Nepal. According to a 2020 study by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), there are around 2,070 glacial lakes in Nepal, many of which are at risk of bursting. Government authorities need to address this issue urgently.

That’s all for this week. Have a great weekend!

Out of 753 local levels across Nepal, 539 have been fully electrified, while 196 are partially connected to the national grid. Eighteen local levels remain without access to the grid, but these areas are powered by micro-hydropower projects and solar plants.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) 2023/24 electrification data, 99 percent of the population now has access to electricity. This data, collected through a comprehensive study down to the ward level, shows that there are currently 5.9m electricity customers. Of those with electricity access, 97 percent receive power from the national grid, while the remaining three percent rely on alternative sources.

A total of 590 local levels have been electrified between 95 to 100 percent and 72 local levels have seen 75-95 percent electrification while it is 50-75 percent in 33 local levels, 26-50 percent in 26 local levels and up to 25 percent in 32 levels.  

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising emphasized the authority’s commitment to implementing the government’s goal of providing reliable and high-quality electricity to all citizens within the current fiscal year. He noted that in the fiscal year 2015/16, the electrification rate was just 58 percent, a figure that has now surged to 99 percent, marking significant progress. Ghising stated that NEA is working to identify and connect households in remote areas that still lack electricity. “We are prioritizing providing quality services to areas with existing electricity access and are dedicated to connecting those without NEA services.”

Efforts are also underway to bring electricity to homes in the geographically challenging mountainous and hilly districts of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces within a year. The NEA has already selected contractors and commenced electrification projects in the hilly regions of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, funded by a $220m soft loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Ghising also mentioned that the NEA is extending electricity access in other regions through government investments and allocating a portion of the authority’s earnings for this purpose.

Among the seven provinces, Madhes province has 100 percent electrification while Koshi has 99.3 percent, Bagmati 99.97 percent, Gandaki 99.4 percent and Lumbini 98.49 percent electrification. Karnali province has the least electrification at 74.38 percent. Sudurpaschim province has 86.58 percent electrification.

Out of 77 districts, Humla is the only district not connected to the national grid. The district relies on micro-hydropower and solar energy projects for electricity. 

Fifty-six out of the 77 districts have between 95 to 100 percent electrification while it is 75 to 95 percent in 10 districts, from 50 to 75 percent in five districts and between 25 to 50 percent in six districts. 

In Koshi Province, all 14 districts except Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha have over 95 percent electrification, with Solukhumbu at 89.04 percent and Sankhuwasabha at 93.99 percent. Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Dhankuta districts are fully electrified.

In Madhes Province, all eight districts have been fully electrified. In Bagmati Province, 13 districts, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, and Chitwan, have 100 percent electrification. The remaining districts have over 95 percent electrification.

In Gandaki Province, Tanahu, Syangja, Parbat, and Kaski districts are fully electrified, while Manang has 87.81 percent electrification, and the remaining districts exceed 95 percent.

In Lumbini Province, the lowest electrification rate is in Rukum East at 32.24 percent, and in Rolpa at 85 percent. Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Bardiya are fully electrified, with other districts above 95 percent.

In Karnali Province, Rukum West has the highest electrification at 95.8 percent, while Mugu has the lowest at 31.8 percent. Other districts include Surkhet (86.48 percent), Dailekh (81.05 percent), Salyan (79.5 percent), Jajarkot (49.8 percent), Kalikot (70.96 percent), Jumla (62.47 percent), Dolpa (42.75 percent), and Humla (32.51 percent).

In Sudurpaschim Province, Kanchanpur and Kailali are fully electrified. However, Bajura has only 33.51 percent electrification, while Dadeldhura has 94.08 percent, Doti 88.04 percent, Achham 65.97 percent, Baitadi 61.73 percent, Bajhang 69.03 percent, and Darchula 84.01 percent.