SOUTH ASIA - House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats

2271In 1997 the Government for the first time worked closely with the InternationalLabor Organization to address a number of labor issues. Although two draft laborlaws were prepared in 1998: One to address issues such as the right of association,the right to organize, and acceptable work conditions related to health, environment,employer-employee relations, leave, and termination, and the other to deal with socialsecurity, pensions, and provident funds, these laws have not been enabled.f. Trafficking in Persons.—The law does not address the problem of trafficking inpersons; however, the Attorney General’s Office believes that should a case arise itcould be addressed under Shari’a. There were no reports that persons were traffickedto, from, within, or through the country.NEPALNepal is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. In1990 the King, formerly an absolute monarch, legalized political parties, after whichan interim government promulgated a new Constitution. The King retains importantresidual powers, but has dissociated himself from direct day-to-day governmentactivities. The democratically elected Parliament consists of the House of Representatives(lower house) and the National Council (upper house). In May 1999, the country’sthird national parliamentary elections were held, which international observersconsidered to be generally free and fair. In February 1996, the leaders of the MaoistUnited People’s Front (‘‘Maoists’’) launched a ‘‘People’s War’’ that has led to violencein more than 50 of the country’s 75 districts. The insurrection has been wagedthrough torture, killings, and bombings involving civilians and public officials. TheConstitution provides for an independent judiciary; however, the courts generallyare inefficient and susceptible to political pressure and corruption.The National Police Force maintains internal security and is subject to civiliancontrol, but local officials have wide discretion in maintaining law and order. Policereaction to the ‘‘People’s War’’ insurgency led to incidents of unwarranted forceagainst prisoners and noncombatants. The army, which traditionally is loyal to theKing, has sought to limit its domestic-security role in responding to the Maoist insurgency.The police committed numerous human rights abuses.The country is extremely poor, with an annual per capita gross domestic productof approximately $242. Over 80 percent of its 23 million persons support themselvesthrough subsistence agriculture. Principal crops include rice, wheat, maize, jute, andpotatoes. Tourism and the export of carpets and garments are the major sources offoreign exchange. Foreign aid accounts for more than half of the development budget.The economy is mixed, with approximately 50 public sector firms. Many formergovernment firms have been privatized since 1992.The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however,there were problems in some areas. The police at times used unwarranted lethalforce and continue to abuse detainees, using torture as punishment or to extractconfessions. The Government rarely investigates allegations of police brutality orpunishes police officers who commit abuses. The disappearance of persons in custodyis a problem. Prison conditions remain poor. The authorities use arbitrary arrestand detention. Lengthy pretrial detention, judicial susceptibility to politicalpressure and corruption, and long delays before trial remain problems. The Governmentgenerally respects freedom of expression; however, at times it imposes somerestrictions. The Government generally allows for freedom of assembly; some restrictionsoccur but are rare. The Government generally respects freedom of religion, althoughthe Constitution imposes restrictions on proselytizing to spread religion.Women, the disabled, and lower castes suffer from widespread discrimination. Violenceagainst women, trafficking in women and girls for prostitution, forced labor,and child labor also remain serious problems. There have been instances of forcedchild labor in the past, and there was one reported instance during the year.The Government established a national human rights commission in May. In Julythe Government outlawed the feudal ‘‘Kamaiya’’ system, releasing some 200,000bonded laborers and family members from their debts to their landlords.During the year, the Maoists increased the scope of their campaign, frequentlycommitting torture, killings, bombings, and other abuses.VerDate 11-MAY-2000 13:46 Sep 20, 2001 Jkt 071555 PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6621 F:\WORK\COUNTRYR\S71555\71555.036 HINTREL1 PsN: HINTREL1