[JURIST] The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) [advocacy website] has urged Nepal [JURIST news archive] to adopt an amendment in its interim constitution creating a fully independent judiciary. In a letter to Subhash Nemwang, the speaker of the Parliament, ICJ General Secretary Nicholas Howen [official profile] recommended amending the interim constitution to clearly state that the judiciary is to be independent. The ICJ letter also recommended including provisions about discrimination, fundamental rights, rights against enforced disappearances, freedom of expression and emergency powers. Legal News from Nepal has more.

The House of Representatives in Nepal adopted [JURIST report] the country's draft interim constitution [eKantipur highlights; JURIST news archive] last month, following its approval by the Nepalese cabinet [JURIST report]. The interim constitution simultaneously provides for the dissolution of the current House of Representatives and the creation of an interim parliament with 25 percent of seats to be held by former Maoist insurgents. The new representative body will have to draft a permanent constitution as well as resolve the status of King Gyanendra [official profile] and the Nepalese monarchy.