Nepal’s judiciary under siege: Why global rights groups are sounding the alarm
Summary
Nepal's judiciary faces a critical independence crisis after an ordinance changed judicial appointment rules and political pressure was reported against senior justices, raising concerns about undermining institutional credibility.
Key Points
- Three international human rights groups warned Nepal's government of threatening the Supreme Court's independence through an executive ordinance and political pressure.
- The ordinance amended the Constitutional Council Act to allow the Prime Minister greater control over judicial appointments, breaking a long-standing consensus process.
- Manoj Kumar Sharma was controversially appointed Chief Justice over seniors, breaching a decades-old convention and sparking institutional conflict.
- Senior justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, and Hari Phuyal reportedly face impeachment threats to force resignations, cementing fears of politicization within the judiciary.
