English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...
English - Support to Participatory Constitution Building in Nepal ...
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airport is planned for Pokhara, and there is a<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>ms po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> Lo Manang of Mustang. The<br />
group envisions Tamuwan as one of <strong>Nepal</strong>’s<br />
most prosperous prov<strong>in</strong>ces.<br />
Participants had a long discussion on the<br />
judicial system and cus<strong>to</strong>mary law of<br />
Tamuwan prov<strong>in</strong>ce. They emphasized the right<br />
of ethnic groups <strong>to</strong> practice their own tradition<br />
and culture, and concluded that <strong>in</strong> the federal<br />
system of government local problems and<br />
cases should be handled with local cus<strong>to</strong>mary<br />
laws of the various ethnic communities like<br />
Naal pratha and Thum. These laws should be<br />
recognized and <strong>in</strong>stitutionalized. However, it<br />
is also recognized that no law practiced <strong>in</strong> the<br />
prov<strong>in</strong>ce should encourage any type of gender<br />
or caste based discrim<strong>in</strong>ation. When cus<strong>to</strong>mary<br />
laws like Bahupati pratha are practiced, these<br />
laws should be seen from the perspective of the<br />
particular community that has been practic<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them so there is cont<strong>in</strong>uity <strong>in</strong> the future.<br />
The group also stated that there should be a<br />
strong <strong>in</strong>dependent and efficient prov<strong>in</strong>cial<br />
judicial system, and that the central law<br />
should consider the prov<strong>in</strong>cial law. The legal<br />
system should ensure ethnic, religious, and<br />
l<strong>in</strong>guistic harmony. To establish the rule of<br />
law there should sufficient provisions <strong>to</strong><br />
punish those who violate the law.<br />
Identify<strong>in</strong>g the m<strong>in</strong>ority groups and their<br />
rights, participants stated that groups that<br />
have a low population and lack access <strong>to</strong><br />
economic, social and political power with<strong>in</strong><br />
the prov<strong>in</strong>ce are called M<strong>in</strong>ority Groups.<br />
They listed Dura, Chepang, Kusunda,<br />
Bhujel, Thakali, Najhi, Tyolmo, Kumal, Durai,<br />
and Mustang Lo Dorsap as m<strong>in</strong>orities <strong>in</strong><br />
Tamuwan prov<strong>in</strong>ce. To ensure m<strong>in</strong>ority rights<br />
<strong>to</strong> the different opportunities provided<br />
by the prov<strong>in</strong>ce, the group has proposed<br />
mak<strong>in</strong>g provisions for positive discrim<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
for a particular time period. In addition, the<br />
state should be responsible <strong>to</strong> protect and<br />
promote the traditional occupations of the<br />
m<strong>in</strong>ority groups. They have the right <strong>to</strong> their<br />
language, culture and identity.<br />
The detailed lists of the f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g of the group<br />
discussions are <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> Annex IV.<br />
Additional Questions and Answers raised<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g discussions<br />
Q. How far will a federal structure<br />
developed on the basis of ethnicity address<br />
issues such as “PUN” not recogniz<strong>in</strong>g<br />
themselves as part of the “MAGAR” group?<br />
Will this type of problem create more states<br />
<strong>in</strong> the future? Bhim Karki<br />
A. If there is <strong>in</strong>ternal discrim<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>in</strong> the<br />
prov<strong>in</strong>ce there could be conflict <strong>in</strong> the future,<br />
but only nam<strong>in</strong>g a prov<strong>in</strong>ce on the basis of<br />
identity is not enough <strong>to</strong> create conflict.<br />
Q. What are women’s rights <strong>in</strong> the context<br />
of federalism <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nepal</strong>? Is there any federal<br />
country <strong>in</strong> the world where women enjoy<br />
equal rights? Will there be a separate state<br />
for <strong>Nepal</strong>’s 60 lakh Dalits?-Teku <strong>Nepal</strong>i<br />
A. The issue of the rights of Dalits and women<br />
are not directly addressed. The federal<br />
structure is a geographical adm<strong>in</strong>istrative<br />
division. Further, the issues of Dalits are<br />
not related with identification but with<br />
discrim<strong>in</strong>ation and social justice. Similarly,<br />
the issues of women have been addressed<br />
by provid<strong>in</strong>g special rights with regards <strong>to</strong><br />
representation and education. Further, the<br />
leadership development of Dalits <strong>in</strong> the<br />
24 Federalism Dialogues Series 5