JURIST - Paper Chase: Nepal government and Maoists sign interim constitution deal

[JURIST] Nepal government negotiators and Maoist rebels Saturday reached a somewhat-delayed agreement on the terms of an interim constitution [eKantipur highlights; JURIST news archive] for the country. The interim constitution is notably silent on whether King Gyanendra [official profile] will retain head of state duties; all executive power is vested in the Prime Minister. The issue of the monarchy will not be settled until a new representative body is elected and drafts a permanent constitution. The 168 articles of the interim constitution will replace the current constitution [text] as soon as the arms management process outlined in the peace plan [JURIST report] between the ruling coalition and the Maoist rebels is finished.

The interim constitution additionally provides that all judges must renew their oath of office; all national symbols will be retained; and despite Maoist insistence on fundamental constitutional guarantees for health, education, and employment, those rights will be enforced through other federal legislation and not through the constitution itself. Kanunisanuchar.com has local coverage. AP has more.

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