Govt seeks support, appreciation from int’l community for Constitution

KATHMANDU: The government on Wednesday briefed Kathmandu-based foreign diplomats on political developments after promulgation of the Constitution last year and sought their support and appreciation over its achievements.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the occasion urged the diplomatic corps to duly acknowledge the government’s efforts towards democracy and human rights..

He said the government was committed to addressing issues over the Constitution raised by protesters through talks.

“Finding fault alone will not help,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa told the envoys in Kathmandu today, “True partnership means support, solidarity and appreciation of what has been gained and encouragement for continuous improvement.”

Thapa said, “With political issues now resolved, Nepal wants to fully focus on economic agenda. We need your concrete support not only in the form of development cooperation but also in encouraging your private sectors to invest in productive areas in Nepal.”

Spending minutes to clarify that the Constitution was democratic and inclusive, unlike what protesters and some international organisations claimed, Thapa maintained that the shortcomings could be addressed through amendments.

“While visiting different countries, I have felt that there is still misperception and misunderstanding about our Constitution,” Thapa told diplomats, “There is a perception that the Constitution is not complete, inclusive and broad-based.”

“The fact of the matter is that critics have either not studied the Constitution fully or they do not want to assess its content fairly and objectively.”

“We have not claimed that our Constitution is hundred percent perfect. Nowhere in the world such perfection is possible,” he added, “But to judge by any fair standard, it encompasses the main features of a democratic and inclusive polity.”

“We can also make an honest comparison with other constitutions developed under similar circumstances to demonstrate that this Constitution is truly inclusive, forward-looking and progressive,” he claimed.