NEPAL: King returns power to the people

Seven-party alliance leaders question the sincerity of the King's pledge to restore democracy

By Vincent Lim
AsiaMedia Contributing Writer

Friday, April 21, 2006

On Feb. 1, 2005, Nepalese ruler King Gyanendra issued a Royal Proclamation that seized power away from the people.

Today, he issued a Proclamation that restored power back to the people.

In a televised address to the nation that aired on state-run Nepal Television, the embattled ruler of the Himalayan nation admitted that his attempt to bring peace to the conflict-ridden country had failed. He said he was returning executive power to the people in accordance with Article 35 of the Constitution, but added that he would remain in power until the seven-party alliance of the nation's political parties selected a new prime minister.

The seven-party alliance launched anti-King nationwide strikes in April that security forces have attempted to clamp down on. The King's announcement comes on the 16th day of the nationwide general strike called by the seven parties. It also come in the wake of two weeks of grand-scale protests by pro-democracy activists who demanded an end to autocratic rule in Nepal and the restoration of democracy. The royal government imposed curfews in an attempt to quell protests, but activists refused to follow the orders.

In an article in Kantipur Daily, Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the King's speech was full of "many ambiguities." He stated that he believes the latest Royal Proclamation was meant to appease citizens and stop further protests throughout the country.

The King failed to give any dates for holding elections in his address, but stressed that he was committed to multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy. He also expressed hope that peace would be restored in the country.

With his 2005 Royal Proclamation, King Gyanendra declared a six month state of emergency. In that time, the royal government banned any interview, article, news, notice, view or personal opinion that went against the letter and spirit of the Royal Proclamation and that directly or indirectly supported terrorism.

When the state of emergency was lifted on Apr. 30, 2005, the independent press in Nepal continued to fear government action against media organizations that challenged the monarch. It is unclear whether the King will ease restrictions on the media as he prepares to step down from power. In the last week, the King prevented Nepali media houses and members of the international media from acquiring press passes that would allow journalists to report on the large-scale protests held during curfew hours.

Despite today's announcement, members of the seven-party alliance vowed to continue with their protests. The government extended the curfew in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur until midnight on Saturday.

The full-text English version of today's Royal Proclamation as issued by the Royal Palace Secretariat is available online via NepalNews.

Date Posted: 4/21/2006

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