(FNJ/IFEX) - The Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists, in their written suggestion to the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee, stressed the need to guarantee freedom of the press and expression.
The Nepali Congress, in its proposed draft Constitution, has suggested that, keeping in view the special role that the press played during the people's movement, the press should be established as the fourth estate of the nation in the interim Constitution and that the rights of electronic and digital media also be incorporated and guaranteed under the section of the Constitution on publication rights.
The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist, UML) has also stated that the fundamental rights that are recognized in international human rights standards, including freedom of expression and speech, should be guaranteed in the Interim Constitution.
Similarly, the Nepali Congress (Democratic), in its Interim Constitution has stated that a special provision will be made for the protection and preservation of a free press, recognizing its vital role as a fourth estate of the nation during the people's movement.
The draft Constitution of the Maoists states that people shall have freedom of expression, thought, publication and profession.
Likewise, the draft Constitution of the Nepal Majdoor Kishan Party also guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
The draft Constitution of Sanyukta Janamorcha Nepal (the United People's Front of Nepal) states that people should be guaranteed the fundamental rights already established by the existing Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
An Interim Constitution Drafting Committee was formed under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court justice Laxman Prasad Aryal after the government and the Maoists reached an understanding during the summit talks held on 16 July 2006 at Prime Minister Girija Prashad Koirala's residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.
