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Every June, Pride Month ignites a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ communities. It's a time to honor their fight for equality and showcase their strength despite facing marginalization. While Western societies have seen growing acceptance, South Asia often presents a different story. In Nepal, the LGBTQIA+ community grapples with discrimination and exclusion, hindering their full participation in society.

Nepali society often views homosexuality negatively. Casual slurs using "gay" as an insult expose a deep well of ignorance. When someone comes out as LGBTQIA+, societal and familial rejection can be devastating, leading to depression and isolation. This lack of acceptance stems from a lack of education. Many, especially in rural areas, simply don't understand LGBTQIA+ identities.

Just recently, a young woman posted a supportive message for the LGBTQIA+ community on Facebook. Heartbreakingly, the comments mocked her for her stance. This incident highlights the gap between Nepal and Western nations where legal protections and inclusivity are being built. Decriminalization of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, like those seen in some parts of the world, are crucial steps towards a more just and equitable society.

Despite these challenges, Nepal is making progress. The recent legalization of same-sex marriage in 2024 shows a growing commitment to equality. However, this progress needs to be bolstered by stricter laws that punish discrimination based on sexual orientation.

To truly create an inclusive society, education is paramount. Integrating LGBTQIA+ topics into school curriculums can foster understanding and acceptance. When everyone is aware of diverse sexual orientations, the LGBTQIA+ community can finally feel safe and at ease. Nepal's journey towards a more inclusive society has just begun. By prioritizing education and implementing stricter laws, the country can bridge the gap between prejudice and acceptance, allowing the LGBTQIA+ community to thrive.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the major treaty guiding anti-corruption work worldwide, does not explicitly define corruption. But the treaty, which entered into force in December 2005, includes a series of offenses that should be criminalized and fall under its jurisdiction. 

The purposes of this convention are: (a) To promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively (b) To promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the prevention of and fight against corruption, including in asset recovery and c) To promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property. 

Unlike the UNCAC, Transparency International (TI) and the World Bank (WB) appear to have no qualms about defining this scourge. TI defines corruption as the ‘abuse of entrusted power for private gain’ whereas the WB describes it as the ‘abuse of public office for private gain’.

In its website (transparency.org), TI further states: Corruption erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis. Exposing corruption and holding the corrupt to account can only happen if we understand the way corruption works and the systems that enable it.

The World Bank Group states in its website (worldbank.org) that it considers corruption “a major challenge to its twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity for the poorest 40 percent of people in developing countries”. 

It adds: Corruption has a disproportionate impact on the poor and most vulnerable, increasing costs and reducing access to services, including health, education and justice. Corruption in the procurement of drugs and medical equipment drives up costs and can lead to sub-standard or harmful products. The human costs of counterfeit drugs and vaccinations on health outcomes and the life-long impacts on children far exceed the financial costs. Unofficial payments for services can have a particularly pernicious effect on poor people. 

J S Nye describes corruption as “behavior which deviates from the formal duties of a public role because of private-regarding (personal, close family, private clique) pecuniary or status gains; or violates rules against the exercise of certain types of private-regarding influence.”

Drawing from these definitions, one can conclude that corruption is a scourge that can cause the multiple organ failure of states, lead to their ultimate collapse and threaten the world order too. 

How it works?

It takes two to tango. But corruption, policy corruption in particular, is way more complex than the famous Argentinian ballroom dance. Corruption seems to have given even King Prithvi Narayan Shah, one of the re-unifiers of Nepal, a pretty hard time. Otherwise, why would the powerful king declare through his Divyopadesh that the givers and the recipients of bribes were the biggest enemies of this country? 

The great king’s take on bribery is a pointer to a chronic and stubborn scourge sapping this country of its energies for ages. 

Corruption, policy corruption in particular, has been plaguing Nepal even after epochal political changes in the 1950’s, the 1990’s and in 2005-06, effected on the strength of popular movements launched for higher ideals like democracy, national sovereignty, human dignity, human rights and transparency. 

What do major scandals witnessed since the 1950’s point at? They point at institutionalization of corruption through a rigged polity, marked by weakening of the very walls separating the organs of the state and the system of checks and balances. 

Of course, there are various authorities in place, including the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the courts and law enforcement agencies, to take on corruption. But they all lack teeth when it comes to dealing with policy corruption.

On top of it, whenever a major scam unravels, the government of the day swiftly constitutes commissions and committees to get to the root, identify the guilty and initiate legal action against them. 

But recent investigations into some of the most high-profile scams show the long arm of the law falling quite short when it comes to bringing the apex predators of the complex food web called policy corruption under the ambit of law. 

Interestingly, such investigations have never covered several treasonous bi-national treaties and agreements, effected with the consent of the sovereign Parliament (manufactured or otherwise) or without the consent, though several of such instruments have been negatively impacting generations of Nepalis and will continue to do so for ages, if the State takes no steps for their amendment. 

Also, TI’s annual reports show Nepal in an unenviable position in terms of the global corruption perception index (CPI), with a score ranging from 27 to 35 out of 100. This is hardly surprising in a society that worships power and wealth, regarding the rich and the powerful people as thula manchhe (‘great people’) without bothering to do a background check on such people, the source of their power and wealth, etc. While the holders of highest public offices responsible for making final decisions in cases of policy corruption go scot-free, the law unevenly applies to subordinate functionaries involved in paperwork.

The way forward

The weakening of the walls separating the principal organs of the state and the system of checks and balances means the State lacks the will to take on corruption, policy corruption in particular. This calls for those crusading against corruption, including jurists, journalists, retired law enforcement officials, politicians and retired bureaucrats to constitute an ombudsman, probe all major cases of policy corruption since the 1950’s in a free and fair manner, and make the findings public, as part of a relentless campaign against corruption. 

Here’s hoping that this move will put our fledgling State under tremendous moral pressure to act really tough against corruption.

Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Sharma Oli, leaders of the first and second largest parties in the House of Representatives (HoR), had their first private meeting in more than two years at an undisclosed location three weeks ago. The two leaders had another meeting at Balkot, Oli’s residence, on Saturday.  

While meetings among top leaders of different parties should not be a big deal, the meetings between Deuba and Oli have created a stir both domestically and internationally. Both leaders have maintained strict secrecy about the contents of their discussion.

These meetings have likely caused significant unease in Baluwatar, the prime minister’s official residence, as well. This is why Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal called Oli early Sunday morning and scheduled a meeting in the afternoon. In the meeting, Dahal and Oli discussed the critical political situation of the country.

Before March 4, when Dahal broke away from Deuba’s Nepali Congress and joined forces with the Oli-led CPN-UML, Deuba repeatedly declined Oli’s requests for a meeting, fearing it might upset Dahal. However, after the breakdown in coalition, Deuba was willing to engage with Oli to form an alliance against Dahal, who leads the CPN (Maoist Center). Since then, a faction of the NC, including President Deuba, has been working to dismantle the current coalition in favor of a partnership between the first and second largest parties. The UML, however, is divided on this issue. Nonetheless, there have been increased talks between the two sides in recent weeks. Following his meeting with Oli, Deuba has called a meeting of the party’s office bearers for Monday.

According to NC Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel, the meeting will delve into the contemporary issues. Multiple persons privy to this development told ApEx that there are many issues that NC and UML are discussing in order to resolve the problems that country is facing. There are reports that UML Chairperson Oli is unhappy with the immature approach being adopted by Prime Minister Dahal and his deputy and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane. 

One UML leader said Oli is of the view that instead of focusing on service delivery and addressing the economic crisis that country is facing, both Dahal and Lamichhane are engaged in political stunts. There are also concerns that some ministers in the Dahal government are reportedly using corruption allegations as a political weapon to retaliate against opponents. 

The UML leader said Oli has advised Prime Minister Dahal against following the ‘Pakistani model’ of politics, where parties in power often use corruption charges to jail political opponents.

The issues extend beyond the government. The country’s economic situation is dire, there is growing pessimism among the population, and youth emigration is alarmingly high. Geopolitical tensions have further impacted the domestic political situation, and religious tensions are rising in some parts of the country. Additionally, the current constitution, adopted a decade ago, has several flaws that need addressing to ensure political stability.

Both NC and UML leaders argue that it is time to review and amend the constitution. Their current negotiations focus not on forming a government but on addressing the political situation. There is a growing realization that national unity among major parties is indispensable to ensure political stability and to inspire hope among citizens. The UML is advocating for a national government including the NC, UML, and the Maoist party. If the Maoist party is unwilling, some leaders say, the NC and UML could form a government capable of amending the constitution.

To amend the constitution, parties may agree to form an expert panel, with Parliament initiating political changes later. NC and UML particularly want to change the current mixed First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, which they believe is the primary cause of political instability in Nepal.

Within the NC, senior leader Shekhar Koirala has been leading talks with the UML and other leaders. They believe that as long as the current electoral system remains, a single-party majority government is almost impossible. Provincial governments have become unstable, with related cases reaching the Supreme Court. Along with the electoral system, parties might also discuss changes to the secularism provision of the constitution.

While immediate changes are unlikely, the ongoing negotiations between the NC and UML could yield substantial results in the coming weeks. Both parties believe that without addressing these issues before the next election, maintaining political stability over the next 10-15 years will be impossible, which would harm the country’s progress and stability.

There’s no progress in status quo: Oli

CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli has said that the country cannot move ahead in its current state. Speaking at a program organized in Kathmandu on Sunday, he mentioned that no one should insist that there is progress in status quo.

The UML leader emphasized the need for entrepreneurship and professionalism to modernize agriculture and create job opportunities. To rise above poverty, he said the country should increase its agricultural output.

“We need to increase production through modernization and the use of technology, but government policies have not been able to address this. We need a solid policy for this to happen,” said Oli.

He also expressed concern that villages were becoming deserted as the produce from the hills could no longer sustain livelihoods. He mentioned that the biggest challenge for Nepal currently is to bring the population below the absolute poverty line to a state where they can have enough to eat.

Oli also said that he has advised Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal not to get entangled in minor appointments and to move forward considering the bleak circumstances of the country and its citizens.

CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has said his party was gaining public trust because it was established for the protection of the Constitution and republic.

Addressing the 10th national general convention of the party on Sunday, Chairman Nepal viewed democracy is still at risk in Nepal. "Party needs to be mobilized for people's sake," he stressed.

On the occasion, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said CPN (US) had played a significant role for the protection of democracy. It has importance in national politics, he said, expressing belief that the veteran leaders in CPN (US) would give a proper direction to national politics.

CPN (US) senior leader Jhalanath Khanal said all political parties need competition among each other for the country's development and good governance. He also highlighted people's democracy and socialist.

Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane stressed political unity for employment, quality education and addressing the cooperative’s problems.

Janamat Party's Chairman CK Raut viewed that if any political leader talks about ideal things, he/she should reflect on behavior.

Present system must not be weakened, according to Janata Samajbadi Party's Chairman Ashok Rai.

JSP Nepal's Chairman Upendra Yadav emphasized on amending the Constitution to end corruption.

Chairman of Rastriya Jana Morcha, Chitra Bahadur KC, suggested the party to devote itself to people and country.

Nagarik Unmukti Party's Chair Ranjita Shrestha believed the convention of the CPN (US) would come up with a new ideology.