Kathmandu: The United States has stepped
up financial aid to Nepal to improve delivery of justice as
Washington underlined the need to strengthen rule of law for
the success of the landmark peace process in the country.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID)
has allocated USD 1.7 million for a key programme to increase
access to justice for society’s most vulnerable groups.
The two-year programme, funded by USAID and
implemented by The Asia Foundation, was designed in extensive
consultation with the judiciary and NGO partners.
It aims to expedite the delivery of justice through
alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and improve the
administration of the courts.
"In post-conflict settings like Nepal, re-establishing
and strengthening the rule of law is crucial to ensure the
transition to peace and to enable development," said Dr Kevin
Rushing, Mission Director of USAID, Nepal.
He said amid the debate over the restructuring the
state structure in Nepal, the US remains firmly committed to
promoting the idea that democracy will only be sustainable if
it is underpinned by good governance, citizen?s access to
justice, and a broader respect for the rule of law.
The programme established three new court-annexed
mediation centres and two commercial mediation centres and
continued to support operations of three mediation centres
opened under a previous project.
During the two-year programme period, more than 1,700
cases were referred for mediation, helping reduce the numbers
of back-logged cases and expedite the delivery of justice for
the average Nepali and these referrals will continue.
Representatives of the Nepal judiciary, Nepal Bar
Association, civil society, The Asia Foundation and USAID came
together to highlight the USAID’s 'Strengthen Rule of Law
programme.
They lauded US-Nepal cooperation and appreciated the
programme’s contributions to improving the quality and access
to justice in Nepal, according to a release.
Political tensions have been high in Nepal since a
government led by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
resigned last year.
A political deadlock among the political parties has
stalled the 2006 landmark peace process and delayed the
framing of a new constitution, a key task of the 601-member
Constituent Assembly that functions as the country's
parliament.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 18:17