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The Nepal government should urgently heed the demands of conflict victims and amend the process for appointing commissioners to the country’s two transitional justice bodies, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists said today. To successfully implement the transitional justice law adopted by parliament in 2024, it is crucial to have a transparent and rigorous process that results in the appointment of credible and highly qualified commissioners, they said. 

In Aug 2024, Nepal’s parliament adopted a law that victims’ groups broadly accepted as a viable basis for the long delayed transitional justice process to address widespread human rights violations and abuses committed during the 1996-2006 conflict between Maoist insurgents and Nepali security forces. Under the legislation, there will be two bodies—a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons. However, survivors and victims’ representatives have rejected a short list of candidates published by a committee to appoint commissioners, a joint statement from the international organizations states. 

“The appointment of competent, impartial commissioners fully independent from any political party is crucial to the credibility and success of transitional justice in Nepal,” said Isabelle Lassée, deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International. “The government should immediately allow a revision of the appointment process to include more candidates and strengthen procedures.”
Signed in 2006, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement included a commitment to reveal what happened to victims of enforced disappearance within 60 days, and to establish “a High-level Truth and Reconciliation Commission… to probe into those involved in serious violation of human rights and crimes against humanity.” For almost two decades, these commitments have been thwarted through political maneuvering, unnecessarily deepening the pain of thousands of victims and their families, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists said.
Nepal has established similar commissions in the past, which have received over 60,000 complaints. However, the previous commissions failed to deliver on their mandate, partly due to political interference in appointments and overall lack of political will to ensure their independence and effectiveness.

In 2015, the Supreme Court determined that an earlier transitional justice law was unconstitutional and violated Nepal’s international human rights obligations. While the amended transitional justice law has some positive elements, it also contains some unacceptable provisions, including allowing for amnesty of those involved in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Therefore, the manner in which commissioners interpret and implement their mandates will be of critical importance to ensure that the commissions’ work does not violate relevant international law. The appointment of highly qualified, impartial and independent people is therefore crucial.

In a statement published on May 1, 38 groups of victims and survivors wrote that the short-listed candidates are “unlikely to carry forward the national responsibility of transitional justice,” leaving victims “once again denied justice” and suffering “a deep sense of betrayal and humiliation.”
They pointed out that the “list was developed through a non-transparent, superficial, and politically influenced process based on power-sharing and (political) access, rather than merit.” The appointments committee had failed to “publicly disclose the criteria, basis and transparent procedures used to prepare the shortlist.” According to the groups, the list “includes… individuals who have defended perpetrators, and many who lack knowledge, contribution or expertise in transitional justice."

Many survivors and the families of those subjected to violations and abuses have lived in hardship for years, often suffering lasting mental harm and physical injuries. They are struggling to learn the truth about their loved ones, are longing to see those responsible for abuses brought to justice in fair trials and remain in desperate need of reparations and official recognition. The lack of accountability for serious crimes under international law has contributed to ongoing rights violations and a wider crisis of impunity. The victims said that the appointments committee had “failed to consult them even once,” resulting in “a process controlled by the perpetrators’ side.”
“Conducting a successful transitional justice process is of importance to all Nepalis, but above all to conflict victims, who have struggled for decades to receive truth, justice and reparations,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “It has become routine for successive governments to promise that transitional justice will be ‘victim-centric,’ but these words have little meaning unless victims’ concerns are addressed and they are able to meaningfully engage in the process.”

In their statement, the victims and survivors groups have warned that they will “be compelled to initiate the formation of a parallel civil commission” to investigate conflict-era abuses if the authorities continue to ignore their concerns and pursue a “superficial process that further inflicts pain and despair on the victims.” They said that the United Nations and “the entire international community” should only support  “a credible transitional justice process.”

Preparations for the first-ever Sagarmatha Sambaad, set to take place in Kathmandu from May 16–18, are in their final stages.

The organizers have confirmed that all logistical and technical arrangements meet international standards to ensure the event’s success. Hosted by the Government of Nepal at the Soaltee Hotel, the dialogue will focus on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.”

The high-level forum aims to address urgent global environmental challenges, particularly climate change and its disproportionate impact on mountain ecosystems and vulnerable communities. The event, which will be held biennially from now on, will convene 140 foreign delegates from 40 countries, including ministers, senior government officials, diplomats, donor agency representatives, climate experts, environmentalists, and development leaders. Together, they will seek regional and international cooperation for a unified response to the climate crisis.

According to Sambaad Secretariat Deputy Speaker of China Xiao Jie is confirmed as a chief guest of the program.

He is vice chairman of the standing committee of the 14th  National People’s Congress. Other high-level guests of the programs are Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, and Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 Presidency, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan.

Lumbini is a serene and sacred land in Nepal where Buddha, the Light of Asia, was born. Also known as the Enlightened One, Buddha was formerly Prince Siddhartha Gautam of the Shakya clan. He later became known as Shakyamuni and ultimately, the Buddha. Born approximately 2,700 years ago, Siddhartha Gautam’s birthplace has since been revered as a holy site for Buddhists across the world.

Located in the Rupandehi district of southern Nepal’s Tarai plains, Lumbini is a vital Buddhist pilgrimage site. According to tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam here in 563 BCE.

Rishikesh Shah writes: “To the east of Kosala, there was in ancient times a republic of the Sakyas known as Kapilvastu. The republic was situated between the Gandaki and Rapti rivers. The Sakyas were Kshatriyas of the Ikshvaku clan, who had established their own republic after severing ties with the kingdom of Kosala. Their land extended northwards to the Himalayan ranges and southwards to a grove of sal trees called Lumbini. It was in this grove that Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion, was born. Lumbini is now called Rupandehi.”

Born into royalty, Siddhartha Gautam was the son of King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi. He enjoyed a life of luxury and comfort. However, upon venturing beyond the palace walls, he was deeply moved by sights of suffering—a beggar, a cripple, a corpse, and a holy man. This encounter awakened in him a desire to discover the root cause of human suffering and find a path to liberation. Renouncing his royal life, he left behind his wife, Yashodhara, and son, Rahul, shedding all royal attachments to live as a wandering ascetic.

Through intense meditation and austerity, Siddhartha ultimately attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya on a full moon night. He experienced direct realization of Nirvana at the age of 35 and dedicated the rest of his life to preaching love, compassion, and the path to liberation until his death at 84.

The teachings of Buddha are centered on the Four Noble Truths. First, life is inherently filled with suffering. Second, the root cause of this suffering is ignorance. Third, it is possible to eliminate ignorance, and therefore suffering. Finally, the way to eliminate ignorance is through the Noble Eightfold Path. This path consists of Right Understanding, Right Aspiration, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. Additionally, Buddha organized his teachings under three core principles: Prajna (intellectual wisdom), Shila (moral discipline), and Samadhi (spiritual practice). These three correspond closely to the Hindu concepts of Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and Bhakti (devotion).

Historical and cultural significance 

Emperor Ashoka of India became a devoted follower of Buddha after the devastating Kalinga war. In 250 BCE, he visited Lumbini and erected a commemorative pillar bearing inscriptions about Buddha’s birth. The inscription reads:

“King Priyadarshi, beloved of the gods, having been anointed twenty years, came in person and worshipped here, saying, ‘Here the Blessed One was born.’ King Priyadarshi exempted the village of Lumbini from taxes and bestowed wealth upon it.”

Ashoka also sent missionaries, including his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra, to spread Buddhism to regions such as Sri Lanka. The site includes a sacred pond, Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi is said to have bathed before giving birth and also washed the newborn Buddha.

Lumbini is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is being developed under the Master Plan by the Lumbini Development Trust. The area includes monasteries, stupas, meditation centers, and temples built by countries like Japan, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, France, and Germany. Even Muslim-majority Bangladesh has announced plans to build a guesthouse for pilgrims, as noted by Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams.

Revival and rediscovery

Lumbini had fallen into obscurity until its rediscovery in 1895 by General Khadga Samsher JB Rana and German archaeologist Alois Anton Fuhrer. Perceval Landon writes: “On 1 Dec 1895, close to the General’s camp, the great Ashokan monolith was discovered in a thicket above the surrounding fields. The site was known by the name Rummindee—a local adaptation of Lumbini.”

Chinese pilgrim records had previously described the site, including the shrine, pond, and pillar. Despite early restrictions on access, Fuhrer glimpsed a sculpture of Mayadevi inside the shrine. The art of sculpture thrived here long before the Gupta period, as evidenced by stone and terracotta statues found during excavations.

Modern-day Lumbini and its challenges

Lumbini has received increased global attention since UN Secretary-General U Thant’s visit in 1970. However, as noted by British scholar David Seddon during his 2014 visit, the site remains in a neglected state. He observed that the Ashokan pillar is submerged in an overgrown pond surrounded by broken railings and rubbish, calling for “loving care” to preserve the heritage.

Environmental degradation is another serious concern. According to Ram Charitra Sah, Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Development, the proliferation of factories in the region is threatening the ecological sanctity of this sacred land.

Veteran journalist Kanak Mani Dixit has highlighted how despite Lumbini’s prominence, other archaeological treasures like Simraungadh have been neglected. He remarks that while Lumbini has become a central site in the Tarai, Buddhism remains somewhat distant from the region’s current cultural landscape.

Modern scholarship has yet to satisfactorily determine the exact date of the Buddha's Nirvana (death). Nevertheless, India and the world recently celebrated the 2,500th Nirvana Day of the Buddha based on the widely accepted timeline: his birth in 624 BC, enlightenment (Sambodhi) in 589 BC, and Parinirvana in 544 BC.

A survey conducted by Giovanni Verardi identified 136 archaeological sites of varying sizes in Kapilvastu district, with approximately another hundred sites in Rupandehi. Together, these form an extensive landscape that still requires detailed archaeological study. This abundance of sites highlights the need to shift our approach from conserving individual locations to understanding Greater Lumbini as a vast cultural landscape. Planning for Greater Lumbini must be grounded in the establishment of management frameworks that address cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development.

A declaration made during the 20th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Sydney, Australia, endorsed Nepal’s proposal to recognize, declare, and develop Lumbini as the fountain of world peace and the holiest pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The declaration further urged that the three historical sites—Kapilvastu, Ramagrama, and Devadaha—be similarly developed and studied, alongside continued excavation, conservation, and research efforts. It also emphasized the need for a feasibility study on establishing an International Buddhist University in Lumbini and recommended identifying a suitable institution to serve as an associate center of the World Buddhist University in Thailand.

Delegates also called on the Government of Nepal to make the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) a permanent and autonomous body and urged the United Nations to review the UN Lumbini Development Committee.

Tourism expert Kai Weise has stressed that tourism management in the region must consider the impact of the new airport, the rising number of visitors (both local and international), and the infrastructure and services needed to support them. He also emphasized the importance of protecting the environmental context of Greater Lumbini, including flood management, pollution control (from industry and other sources), and the preservation of significant landscapes through land use regulations. Opportunities for regional development, he noted, should focus on tourism as well as local livelihoods based on agriculture, handicrafts, and other sustainable services, including appropriate housing.

As the great scientist Albert Einstein once said, “If there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs, it would be Buddhism.” Similarly, notable figures such as Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Burmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and world-renowned golfer Tiger Woods have all expressed admiration for the principles of Buddhism.

Learning shouldn’t be limited to classrooms. We all know that but as the daily grind takes over, learning often takes a backseat. Many people ApEx spoke to confessed that without classes to attend and the threat of exams looming over their heads, they weren’t very likely to try and learn something new by themselves. While that is understandable, there are some skills that can possibly give your career a boost as well as help you feel confident about yourself. The best part is that you don’t even have to spend a lot of time every day to learn these essential skills. Just a few minutes of daily practice are enough. We recommend five handy skills that can help you become better at what you do and force you to be a little creative too, which is always a good thing.

A new language

Studies have shown that learning a new language, activates different parts of your brain and slows down age related changes. Nowadays, it’s not difficult to learn a new language from the comfort of your home. There are many apps that take you through the basics of any language you want to learn in just a few minutes a day. Learning a new language might also help you be considered for promotions especially if you work for multinational companies or open up new job opportunities. You might also be able to look into cultural exchange programs, things who previously had no access to. Additionally, learning a new language is also fun and engaging.

Basic photography skills

All of us take pictures on our phones, but how many of us can actually say that the photos we take are pleasing to look at? Learn the basics of photography through tutorials on YouTube or you can even ask a professional photographer if they would let you tag along during their assignments. Most photographers will let you assist them in their projects. There are many workshops and courses, both physical and virtual, that you can join to pick up a few tips and tricks. You don’t need fancy equipment to take good photos. Just your phone will do.

Graphic design

Graphic design is used in a wide range of fields from marketing and publishing to product design. It’s a great tool of visual communication and thus more important today than ever before. No matter which profession you are in, it helps to have some knowledge of graphic design. Are you interested in print or web design or is it motion graphics that holds a special appeal? Figure out which path you wanna take and get on board with some courses. Learning graphic design is a mentally stimulating activity.

Sewing and stitching

Many people don’t know how to mend a popped button and it’s unfortunate because you end up spending a lot of time and money fixing small things. We believe sewing and stitching are skills everyone should possess. And it’s not hard to learn either. But if you can work with a needle and thread, why not take things a step further by learning how to sew and stitch some basic items. This is something you can do as a family activity as well. Think about it, won’t it be fun to wear clothes that you made yourself? And if things turn out well, you can even start thinking of running a small clothes business in the future. 

Public speaking

Everyone, irrespective of who you are and what you do, can benefit from a public speaking course. It will make you more confident and better able to express yourself. These days, many organizations and corporate houses have realized the importance of public speaking and hold workshops and training for their staff. You can also learn public speaking by listening to experts in the field and picking up pointers on how to be a more effective communicator. This is a soft skill that has huge benefits.