Failed charter or unkept promises? Assessing Nepal’s constitution at year 11
Summary
Nepal’s constitution turns 11 under renewed debate over whether it has failed or is simply being ignored. The article argues that major promises on housing, inclusion, transitional justice and checks on executive power remain unfulfilled, while recent ordinances and appointments have strained constitutional norms.
Key Points
- The article argues Nepal’s 2015 constitution has not failed in text, but has repeatedly been ignored or undermined in practice.
- It cites evictions, weak inclusion in elections, stalled transitional justice, and controversial ordinances as evidence of constitutional strain.
- The current government’s use of ordinances, court appointments and rule changes is presented as a major test of constitutional limits.
- A short, defensive amendment agenda is proposed to protect ordinance limits, judicial succession, and inclusion rules.
