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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Shrinking civil society raises concerns over accountability amid weak opposition

From Kathmandu Post · (2d ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Nepal's civil society, once a key driver of democratic reforms, has significantly shrunk, raising concerns about government accountability.
  • Analysts warn that a weak civil society, coupled with an already weak parliamentary opposition, could lead to less responsive governance.
  • Recent government actions, including withholding state advertisements from private media and detaining citizens for perceived insults, are cited as reasons for concern.

Civil society in Nepal has historically played a crucial role in advocating for democratic reforms and safeguarding human rights, acting as an essential bridge between citizens and the state. However, recent trends indicate a concerning shrinkage in its voice and influence, prompting worries about the future of Nepali democracy and governance.

Analysts and civil society participants, like Bhim Bhurtel, emphasize that civil society provides vital moral and democratic pressure on political actors. When this pressure diminishes, political institutions face fewer checks and balances, potentially leading to governance that is less responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. The current environment, marked by a weak opposition in Parliament, exacerbates these concerns, suggesting a potential for unchecked power.

Civil society works as a moral and democratic pressure on political actors. If that pressure fades, political institutions face fewer checks, and governance can become less responsive to the people.

— Bhim BhurtelPolitical analyst and civil society participant, explaining the importance of civil society's role.

Several recent developments have fueled apprehension regarding the government's intentions. These include the withholding of state welfare advertisements from private media outlets, an increase in arrests based on urgent warrants without court orders, and the detention of individuals for allegedly insulting the prime minister. Such actions are seen as creating an environment where dissent is stifled and accountability is undermined.

While former chief election commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel acknowledges the current weakness of civil society, he also notes its cyclical nature, becoming active during critical junctures. However, the effectiveness of past civil society movements, such as the 2006 people's movement where it acted as a crucial coordinator between political parties and the public, highlights the void left by its current diminished state. The announcement of a citizens' movement last year, aimed at protesting political parties' focus on future elections rather than governance, largely failed to gain traction, further underscoring the challenges faced by civil society in mobilizing public support and exerting influence.

civil movement is not always active. It becomes active when needed and goes into hibernation

— Bhojraj PokharelFormer chief election commissioner, commenting on the nature of civil movements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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