A meeting of the parties, which have representation in the Constituent Assembly, at Singha Durbar on Tuesday made the demand arguing that a non-Nepalis in large numbers have obtained citizenship certificates but bona fide Nepalis still remain deprived of citizenship certificates.[break]
The meeting also expressed serious reservations over the recent agreement reached between the government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front to amend the Interim Constitution to provide citizenship by descent to the children of those who in 2007 acquired citizenship by birth during a special one-time provisions made by the government.
The parties attending the meeting include CPN (Masal), CPN-ML, People´s Front Nepal, Rastriya Janamorcha, CPN Samyukta (Marxist), Chure Bhavar Rastriya Party and Samajbadi Janata Party among others.
According to a press statement issued after the meeting, the fringe parties have asked the government to withdraw its decision to revoke criminal cases that are sub judice. They also urged the major parties to immediately form Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Disappearance Commission.
The parties have expressed serious concerns over the failure of major parties to work sincerely for concluding the peace process and promulgating new constitution. They alleged that constitution drafting process had failed to gain momentum due to the tendency among the major parties to extend the term of CA solely to meet their own interests.
According to the statement, the meeting has also demanded that the government revoke various decisions including one that gave forest areas in Upper Karnali to GMR Company and another related to preparation of DPR for the Sapta Koshi High Dam project.
They have also decided to stand against the state restructuring proposals floated by the State Restructuring Commission arguing that its proposals to carve ethnic-based federal states with right to self-determination will eventually lead the country toward disintegration.
Related story
Clash between Citizenship-less Struggle Committee and Police at...
-1767250672.webp)
