There are concerns, both at the international and national level, about the absence of the rule of law in Nepal and the violation of the human rights of its people.

Rule of law and human rights are compromised from two sides: from the Maoist insurgents in Nepal, who are fighting to overthrow the King and introduce a communist regime, and on the other side, from the State and the State security forces, who are reportedly perpetrating gross violations of the human rights of the population.

Panelists reviewed the current political situation in Nepal and the rule of law and human rights gap, discussed some of the current deficiencies in the application of universally recognized human rights standards. Panelists also discussed the possibility and the prerequisites for engineering a return to the rule of law and the application of human rights standards and any obstacles to this endeavor.

Speakers

  • Jonah Blank, Committee on Foreign Relations, US Senate
  • Lisa Curtis, Committee on Foreign Relations, US Senate
  • Sushil Pyakurel, Former Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission, Nepal
  • Veena Siddharth, Human Rights Watch, Washington, DC
  • Shambhu Thapa, President, Nepal Bar Association
  • Colette Rausch, U.S. Institute of Peace, Rule of Law Program, Co-Moderator
  • Christine Fair, U.S. Institute of Peace, Research & Studies Program, Co-Moderator

Media Inquiries

Please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at 202.429.3832.

Latest Publications

¿Puede Honduras poner en orden su democracia en el 2025?

¿Puede Honduras poner en orden su democracia en el 2025?

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Días después de acusar a Estados Unidos de presionar a las fuerzas armadas hondureñas para destituirla de su cargo, la presidenta de Honduras, Xiomara Castro, dijo a cientos de seguidores a mediados de septiembre que no permitiría “otro golpe de Estado” en Honduras. Su esposo, Manuel Zelaya, fue destituido en un golpe militar en el 2009. Castro afirmó que el tratado de extradición de 112 años entre EE.UU. y Honduras fue el instrumento que EE.UU. usó para coaccionar a los militares en tal complot, justificando su decisión de terminar unilateralmente el tratado.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Australia’s Strategic Thinking on the War in Ukraine, NATO, and Indo-Pacific Security

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Russia’s war against Ukraine has spurred closer cooperation between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific states and organizations, particularly Australia and NATO, signaling a deepening of ties that could have long-term benefits for global security. Over the long term, writes security expert Gorana Grgić, such alignment is crucial for signaling to potential aggressors that global coalitions are prepared to respond. This report analyzes Australia’s response in order to examine Canberra’s strategic thinking with respect to cross-theater cooperation, and it offers recommendations for US, NATO, and Australian policymakers.

Type: Special Report

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

Can Honduras Get Its Democracy in Order in 2025?

Can Honduras Get Its Democracy in Order in 2025?

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Days after accusing the United States of pressuring the Honduran armed forces into removing her from office, Honduran President Xiomara Castro told hundreds of her followers in mid-September that she would not allow “another coup” to happen in Honduras. Her husband, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted in a 2009 military coup. The 112-year-old U.S.-Honduran extradition treaty, she said, was the instrument used by the U.S. to coerce the military into such a plot, justifying her decision to unilaterally end the treaty.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Dean Cheng on What China’s Pressure on Taiwan Means for the Region

Dean Cheng on What China’s Pressure on Taiwan Means for the Region

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

As Beijing ratchets up military pressure along the Strait, Taiwan remains “the one area where we are most likely to see … a direct confrontation between the United States and China” because a conflict “would affect a lot of our allies [like] Japan, South Korea and the Philippines,” says USIP’s Dean Cheng. 

Type: Podcast

La transition en Haïti ne peut réussir sans le leadership des femmes

La transition en Haïti ne peut réussir sans le leadership des femmes

Monday, October 28, 2024

Malgré l’instabilité politique et les bouleversements sociaux les plus graves de son histoire au cours de la dernière décennie, Haïti a désormais l’occasion d’aller de l’avant. La sélection d’un Premier ministre efficace par un Conseil présidentiel de transition offre au pays une chance de rétablir la sécurité et d’organiser des élections pour la première fois depuis 2016. Mais pour que les progrès soient durables, il faudra un mélange de leadership transitoire et de leadership transformationnel. Et cela signifie mobiliser et respecter le rôle essentiel des femmes, qui sont actuellement sous-représentées à tous les niveaux de gouvernement et d’influence.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceGender

View All Publications