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The Maoist insurgency in Nepal, also known as the People’s War, led to widespread human rights abuses by both the Maoist rebels and the government forces. Enforced disappearances were a common tactic used during this period, with numerous individuals abducted and never seen again. According to reports from various human rights organizations, including the United Nations, hundreds of cases of enforced disappearances occurred during the conflict. The families of the disappeared have been left in a state of perpetual uncertainty and grief, without any information about the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones.

The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) of 2006 was an agreement that ended the civil war and laid the foundation for peace and reconciliation in Nepal. Among its various provisions, the CPA emphasized the need to address human rights violations committed during the conflict, including enforced disappearances. It pledged to establish mechanisms for truth-seeking, reconciliation, and justice, including the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission on Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP).

Despite these commitments, the progress in addressing the issue of enforced disappearances has been slow and inadequate. The TRC and CIEDP were only established in 2015, nearly a decade after the signing of the CPA, and have faced numerous challenges, including political interference, lack of resources, and limited mandates. As of now, many families of the disappeared are still awaiting answers and justice.

The Supreme Court of Nepal has played a crucial role in addressing the issue of enforced disappearances. In a landmark decision in 2007, the Court ordered the government to criminalize enforced disappearances and establish a commission to investigate such cases. This decision underscored the need for legal reforms and accountability mechanisms to address enforced disappearances in accordance with international standards.

Subsequent Supreme Court rulings have reiterated the importance of ensuring justice for victims of enforced disappearances. For instance, in 2015, the Court struck down several provisions of the TRC and CIEDP Act, which were deemed inconsistent with international human rights norms, particularly concerning amnesty provisions for serious human rights violations. The Court emphasized the necessity of prosecuting perpetrators of enforced disappearances and providing truth and reparations to victims’ families.

Nepal’s 2018 penal code made enforced disappearance a criminal offense under domestic law for the first time. Nepal has taken some steps towards addressing enforced disappearances through national laws and commissions. The Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act of 2014 established the TRC and CIEDP with the mandate to investigate conflict-era human rights violations and recommend actions for reparations, prosecutions, and institutional reforms. However, these commissions have been criticized for their inefficacy and lack of independence.

The CIEDP, in particular, has struggled to fulfill its mandate. As of 2024, A total of 3,288 complaints have been submitted to the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons. It has yet to complete its investigations into the thousands of cases submitted by victims' families. The slow pace of investigations and the lack of concrete outcomes have undermined public confidence in the commission. It also highlighted the need for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to address enforced disappearances effectively.

ICPPED: A path forward

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, is a comprehensive international treaty aimed at preventing enforced disappearances, ensuring accountability, and providing justice and reparations to victims and their families. It establishes the right of individuals not to be subjected to enforced disappearance and the right of victims and their families to know the truth about the circumstances of enforced disappearances and the fate of the disappeared persons.  

Why should Nepal ratify ICPPED?

Enhancing accountability and justice: The ICPPED requires state parties to ensure that enforced disappearances are investigated thoroughly and perpetrators are brought to justice. Ratifying the convention would impose a legal obligation on Nepal to prosecute those responsible for enforced disappearances, regardless of their political affiliation.

Improving institutional capacity: Compliance with the ICPPED would likely lead to increased international support and cooperation, including technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives. Such support could enhance the operational capacity of the TRC and CIEDP. 

Providing a framework for reparations: The ICPPED outlines the rights of victims and their families to receive reparations, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition. Ratifying the convention would reinforce Nepal’s commitment to addressing the needs of victims comprehensively. This would include not only financial compensation but also measures for psychological and social rehabilitation, which are crucial for the healing process.

Promoting transparency and public trust: Ratification of the ICPPED would require Nepal to adopt measures ensuring transparency in the handling of enforced disappearance cases. This includes maintaining accurate records, providing information to families, and making investigation findings public. Greater transparency would help restore public trust in the TRC and CIEDP, as well as in the broader justice system. 

Aligning with international standards: By ratifying the ICPPED, Nepal would align its domestic policies with international human rights standards. This alignment would enhance Nepal’s international standing and demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights. It would also facilitate cooperation with international bodies and other countries in addressing enforced disappearances, including in the areas of extradition, mutual legal assistance, and sharing of best practices.

Ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is not merely a symbolic gesture for Nepal; it is a necessary step towards addressing a painful chapter in its history, ensuring justice for victims, and upholding the rule of law. Given the historical context of enforced disappearances during the conflict, the commitments made under the Comprehensive Peace Accord, the existing national laws and commissions, and the directives of the Supreme Court, Nepal has both the moral and legal imperative to ratify the ICPPED. Doing so would strengthen its legal frameworks, enhance accountability, provide closure to victims’ families, uphold international human rights obligations, and fulfill its commitments to peace and justice.

Nepal suffered a 21-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup on Monday.

The match was held at the Ornos Vale stadium of St Vincent, the West Indies.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, Bangladesh posted a total of 106 runs in 19.3 overs losing all the wickets.

Chasing the target, Nepal made 85 runs in 19.2 overs losing all the wickets.

Kushal Malla contributed 27 runs off 40 balls, hitting one four and one six for Nepal.

Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee scored 25 runs off 31 balls with one six and two fours.

Opener Asif Sheikh made 17 runs off 14 balls hitting four boundaries while other batters failed to score in double digits.

Meanwhile, Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed the highest four wickets for Bangladesh.

Likewise, Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed took three, two and one wickets respectively.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan scored 17 runs, Mahmudullah and Rishad Hossain made 13 runs each and Jaker Ali and Taskin Ahmed contributed 12 runs each. Other batters failed to score in double figures.

For Nepal, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets each.

With the win, Bangladesh have advanced to the Super Eight.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Lamichhane has become the first Nepali bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20Is. He completed the 100 wickets in 56 matches.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is celebrated every year on June 15 to build strong support and awareness for elderly individuals present in society. People rarely talk about abuse, especially elderly abuse. It is a taboo in the Nepali community. The traditional Nepali society focuses on taking care of the elderly present in the family, mostly their parents who cared for them throughout their lifetime. Due to the gradual transition in society, it is noticed that older parents are usually neglected in the family. This often pushes elderly people toward isolation and depression. 

The elderly also face abuses in our society, which they can never even express or explain. Physical torture, such as beating and thrashing, is commonly recognized as abuse, yet abuse encompasses more than just violent behavior. Neglecting and ignoring elderly parents is equally harmful. This neglect fosters feelings of insignificance, causing seniors to disengage from normal activities and lose their sense of purpose in life. The elderly cannot reveal their pain since the norms and values forbid aged individuals to report the incidents of domestic abuse they face. They try to hide their feelings and feel guilty even if they complain about their children. The matter is not taken to the public sphere considering it a family issue without bearing in mind the sufferings they bear at this stage of life. 

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 has stipulated the fundamental rights of senior citizens in its Article 41, which ensures old age allowance, health services and transportation facilities for them. Further, the amendment of the Senior Citizens Act 2022 has also brought hope to lessen the inequality and irregularities vis-a-vis the issues facing elderly people. The children who misbehave with their parents are punished by the state.  However, there is a weakness observed in implementing the law. 

Many incidents are occurring regarding elderly abuse every day. The so-called literate people in the surroundings ignore it as the problem being personal and not concerning to all. No one wants to interfere in other people’s issues and often the victims are hesitant too. Mostly unaware of formalities that are required for complaint, the victims are forced to suppress their pain and accommodate themselves into their families somehow. I knew an elderly widow (79 years) from an urban area in Nepal. She was a beautiful, strong and curious lady, who visited Kathmandu every year for medical and recreational purposes. She was pregnant and a teenager when her husband passed away. She struggled throughout her life to raise her only son as a single mother. She would keep herself active, reading newspapers and listening to the radio to keep herself updated on the current political and social setting in Nepal. Whenever I met her, she would show interest in household activities like the preparation of meals. She would show this interest even in the household of her relatives she would visit in Kathmandu, considering them to be her close family.  Even though she used to motivate people around her with inspirational stories about the struggles that she lived through, there was a grief she would try to hide, something which she spoke about rarely.

Asked about her son and other family members, she used to be upset and would ignore the conversation. At times, she would hold back tears trying to keep the neglect from her children hidden from her other relatives. Rarely, when she could not bear the pain, she would casually admit the atrocities of her son and daughter-in-law. There are cultural constraints and stigma, which restrict people from offering proper advice. There is also a lack of information about the process of registering a complaint against their abusive family members. Depending on an uncomfortable family for support can make things harder for the elderly, leading to worse outcomes. A day came when a very untoward incident occurred, the elderly lady who had always seemed so brave could not tolerate the misbehavior of family members and resorted to taking her own life. 

She had struggled throughout her life to bring up her only son, who ignored and neglected her throughout lifetime, taking property and never acknowledging or even speaking to her. She stayed alone doing her everyday chores on her own. I have not been able to get this event out of my head. I could never have imagined a bold and daring lady like her who took such a step. It must have been unbearable pain that she felt that she could not share with people around her. In the past five decades when she was young, she could bear the agony but over time she took such a step in her last stage of life. Most of us normally feel that the elderly members of our family are happy and content as they smile and never complain about their lives. We often ignore asking about their problems and avoid spending time with them. Their external appearances may hide their true feelings and mislead the family members. Even if the government has planned to reward the family members of the elderly who treat them properly, the nuances in the family are yet to be reviewed and implemented. 

There are very few abuse reports registered in police related to the elderly mainly due to the culture of the society. There is also a lack of information sharing about laws associated with the elderly at the local level. A Judicial Committee (Nyayik Samitee) is formed in each of the 753 local-level units, the deputy mayor in municipalities and the deputy chairperson in rural municipalities are responsible for justice in specific issues. Their duty involves resolving disputes and creating harmony in society. With the change in the demographic structure of Nepali society, from joint family to nuclear family there is a need to monitor elderly citizens residing in or outside the family. Further, there is also a prerequisite to know whether the elderly are aware of the rights and legal procedures relevant to help them. The psychological and emotional torture the elderly bear in the form of harassment, humiliation and control of their action often leads to depression and anxiety. When it is intolerable, people can take steps like ending their lives. It is important to identify and take action against elderly abuses going on in families and society to build safe and peaceful areas for all individuals to live gracefully and with dignity. It is imperative for a civilized society and local government officials affiliated with the Judicial Committee to vigilantly oversee and regulate activities concerning the elderly across all facets of community life, placing a heightened emphasis on fostering respect and gratitude toward older generations. It is not practical to adapt and follow the structure and instruction given by the international forum. There should be use of local mechanisms to reduce abuses in any form from the society. Let the law give effective punishment to abusers and create an environment where the victim can come without hesitation and speak about the misconduct they are facing. In addition to the legal remedies, there should also be social education. The younger generation should be taught about the caring and sharing of issues relating to the elderly in different areas of life. If the elderly do not feel comfortable at home with their family, old age homes can also be a viable option for living with professional assistance. The negative light in which retirement homes and care centers are viewed can be changed by creating a mechanism for monitoring and accountability of such facilities.

A high-level Chinese government delegation is visiting Nepal at the invitation of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The five-member team under Ye Hanbing, Vice-governor of Sichuan Province and Commissioner of the Public Security Department of the province, is arriving in Nepal on Tuesday morning. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs are coordinating the visit.

According to sources, Hanbing’s team will meet with the Foreign Minister, Home Minister, Home Secretary, and other high-ranking officials. Home ministry sources indicate that discussions on matters of mutual and security interest will take place during the meeting. The visiting team includes Deng Hua, Zheng Xiaoqing, Zhong Ke, and Thang Jianxin. 

Of late, there has been a surge in high-level visits from China.

Immediately following Hanbing’s visit, a delegation under Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong will arrive in Nepal. According to the foreign ministry, Sun's team will participate in the 16th round of the Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism meeting. The foreign ministry of Foreign Affairs is making preparations for this visit.

Recently, China has intensified its activities in Pokhara and Lumbini, in addition to Kathmandu. For the Chinese New Year, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal organized various programs in Pokhara and Lumbini. Just last week, a high-ranking Chinese official visited Lumbini and Kathmandu. Chen Ruifeng, Chinese Minister for the National Religious and Cultural Affairs Administration, visited Lumbini last Wednesday, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, Huang Zhihui, director-general of the General Bureau of National Religious Affairs Administration, and Venerable Master Yin Shun, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of China.

Minister Chen laid the foundation stone for a structure to be built next to the Chinese monastery in Lumbini. Participants in the foundation-laying ceremony included Yin Shun, Ambassador Song, Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) Vice-chairperson Lhyarkal Lama, Registrar of Lumbini Buddhist University Tilakram Acharya, and Deputy Mayor of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality Kalpana Harijan.

Minister Chen also visited the office of Vice-chair Lama at the LDT. He stated that his visit aimed to promote tourism in Lumbini and sustain cultural relations between Nepal and China. Minister Chen toured the Maya Devi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Pushkarani Pond, and Shanti Deep to gather information about Lumbini.

Also, Vice-chair of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Bateer, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, mutual cooperation, and the implementation of various agreements between the two countries. Prime Minister Dahal expressed satisfaction over the gradual implementation of the agreements reached during his recent visit to China. He thanked the Chinese government for operationalizing the traditional 14 checkpoints along the Nepal-China border and for gradually implementing important agreements.