• NEPAL: Timeline of constitution

    June 30, 2012

    Nepal’s parliament dissolved on 28 May after failing to meet its fourth and final deadline to produce a draft constitution. An empty legislature and a fragmented ruling party now underscore the challenges since the country’s decade-long civil war, which killed almost 18,000 according to government estimates, ended in November 2006.

    IRIN chronicles the often contentious path to a post-war constitution.

    22 November 2005: The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) finalizes a 12-point agreement with the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (UCPN-Maoist) in New Delhi,              India, as a road  map for resolving conflict and restoring democracy in Nepal.

    6 April 2006: The Maoist-supported SPA declares a nationwide non-violent and peaceful pro-democracy people’s movement.

    24 April: After Jana Andolan-II (“People’s Movement-II” – 19 days of protest and strikes), King Gyanendra reinstates the House of Representatives, which was dissolved in February 2005, and calls on the SPA to unify the nation. SPA accepts the reinstitution of Parliament.

    26 April: Maoists declare a three-month unilateral ceasefire, agree to peace talks, and demand a new constitution.

    28 April: Giraja Prasad Koirala, president of the Nepali Congress (NC) party, becomes prime minister of the new government.

    30 April: The House of Representatives unanimously approves the Constituent Assembly (CA).

    3 May: The government declares a ceasefire, removes the terrorist tag from Maoists, and invites the Maoist party for peace talks.

    21 November: The armed insurgency that began on February 1996 formally ends with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the government and the Maoist party.

    15 January 2007: The Interim Constitution – replacing the 1990 Constitution – is drafted by a committee headed by the late Justice Laxman Prasad Aryal.

    23 January: The UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) is established after a request from the Maoists and the government.

    1 April: The new government is formed and Constituent Assembly elections are set for 20 June 2007.

    13 April: The Election Commission declares its inability to conduct the CA polls on 20 June and postpones the elections until November.

    18 September: Maoist ministers resign from the cabinet after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala rejects demands for a pre-poll proclamation of a republic.

    5 October: The CA elections, re-scheduled for 22 November 2007, are postponed indefinitely after crisis talks fail to bring the Maoist party back into the government.

    30 December: The Maoist party rejoins the government, making a deal to end the monarchy. A new date is set for CA elections in April 2008.

    10 April 2008: The election of the 601-member CA results in a Maoist majority, greater social diversity in government, and increased representation of women and other minorities. The CA is mandated to draft a new constitution by 28 May 2010 to replace the Interim Constitution.

    28 May: During its first meeting, the CA votes overwhelmingly to abolish the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy. Nepal is declared a Federal Democratic Republic.

    21 July: The CA elects Ram Baran Yadav, leader of the Nepali Congress (NC) party, as Nepal’s first president.

    15 August: Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is elected Nepal’s first prime minister.

    4 May 2009: Dahal, also known as Prachanda, resigns as prime minister less than nine months later when the president blocks his move to fire the army chief.

    23 May: Madhav Kumar Nepal, chairman of the constitution-drafting committee, is elected prime minister “unopposed”, with the support of representatives from 22 political parties in the Constituent Assembly.

    28 May 2010: The CA’s initial deadline for a constitution is extended by one year.

    30 June: Prime minister Nepal resigns under pressure from the opposition Maoist party but continues to serve as caretaker prime minister for seven months.

    15 January 2011: UNMIN withdraws from the country.

    3 February: The CA elects Jhala Nath Khanal, president of the Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), as prime minister. Khanal agrees to step down by 13 August if no progress is made in drafting a constitution.
    28 May: The Constituent Assembly’s term, and the Interim Constitution, expire for the second time.

    29 May: The CA extends the deadline for a new constitution by three more months, even though the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled on 25 May 2011 that the initial extension in 2010 was unconstitutional.

    14 August: Khanal resigns under intense pressure from his own party, CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) – but continues as caretaker prime minister until the new government is formed.

    15 August: President Yadav calls on the parties to form a national consensus government by 21 August, but negotiations fail even after a three-day extension. The president calls for a parliamentary vote for a majority government.

    28 August: Baburam Bhattarai, vice-chairman of the Maoist party, is elected the fourth prime minister.

    29 August: Parliament endorses the proposal to extend the CA term for a third time. The new deadline is 30 November 2011.

    1 November: The major political parties sign a seven-point agreement to conclude the peace process. This includes a multi-party consensus government; completion of the constitution drafting process; integrating 6,500 former fighters into the national army; paying out up to US$9,000 in cash to former fighters who do not enter the national armed forces; dismantling the para-military Maoist Young Communist League; forming a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission to Investigate Forced Disappearances within one month; and returning properties seized during the insurgency, with compensation to owners.

    25 November: Nepal’s Supreme Court rules the CA can extend its term for the last time by a maximum of six months.

    29 November: Parliament extends the CA term for the fourth time by six months, setting 27 May as the deadline for completing the constitution.

    13 December: The dispute resolution sub-committee of the Constituent Assembly agrees to a mixed electoral system.

    16 December: The same committee agrees on a bi-cameral legislature.

    31 January 2012: The State Restructuring Commission submits its report to the government, proposing an 11-state federal model based on ethnicity and language.

    11 March: Political parties agree to shorten the constitution-drafting process and bypass current procedures so as to endorse new constitutional clauses by the deadline.

    17 March: A faction led by Maoist hardliner Mohan Baidhya, also known as ‘Kiran’, launches protests and a “national independence” movement against the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) saying the leadership has failed to deliver a national unity government or organizational reshuffling.

    28 March: The Supreme Court refuses to revisit its decision to cap extensions of the CA term, leaving no legal alternative to meeting the deadline on 27 May.

    30 March: The Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants hands control of cantonments containing some 3,100 Maoist combatants to the Nepal Army and Armed Police Force.

    10 April: The Nepali Army takes charge of the cantonments, including containers of weapons handed over by fighters after the 2006 peace deal.

    19 April: Three major parties – the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-Maoist), the Nepali Congress (NC) party, and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) (CPN-UML) – agree to merge the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission to Investigate Forced Disappearances.

    26 April: UCPN (Maoist) proposes that Nepal consist of 10 states named after rivers.

    27 April: the Nepali Congress proposes six states, but does not suggest names.

    1-31 May: The political disputes and constitutional delays spark a combined 257 days of “bandhs” – strikes – in 48 districts, shutting down roads, customs      offices and businesses.

    15 May: UCPN (Maoist), NC, CPN (UML), and the United Democratic Madheshi Front (a major coalition of four parties from the southern plains of Nepal along the Indian border, an area also known as Madhesh) demand an end to discrimination against Madheshi people, many of whom are migrants from India, greater autonomy in Nepal, and more representation in parliament. They agree to an 11-state model, saying they have settled all disputed constitutional issues such as state restructuring, the electoral system and forms of governance.

    20 May: The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), a nominally non-partisan umbrella association of indigenous groups, demands federal states based on ethnic identity, and calls a three-day general strike that shuts down major roads in the capital, Kathmandu.

    22 May: The government tables a constitution amendment bill to extend the Constituent Assembly’s term by three months.

    24 May: The Supreme Court issues an interim order to halt all government proceedings to extend the CA term.

    27 May: The CA is dissolved at midnight without a new constitution being promulgated. Minutes before the deadline, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai announces a new election on 22 November 2012.

    19 June: The Maoist ruling party splits. Hard-line members form the Nepal Communist Party, Maoist, saying the ruling party has strayed from “revolutionary” ideals in agreeing to a parliamentary system and integration of the army.

    Source : IRIN [This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

    • Connecting you with the world of travel and tourism

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      UNWTO becomes “UN Tourism” 

      The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) enters a new era  with a new name and brand: UN Tourism. With this new brand, the Organization reaffirms its status as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism and the global leader of tourism for development, driving social and economic change to ensure that “people and planet” are always center stage.

      UN Tourism: Transforming tourism for a better worldTo achieve this goal, UN Tourism engaged the services of Interbrand, the leading global branding agency. Interbrand successfully translated the Organization’s renewed vision for tourism into a new visual identity and brand narrative.

      This involved renaming the Organization, transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism. At the same time, a new brand narrative was meticulously crafted, one that seamlessly aligns with UN Tourism’s central mission and priorities. This narrative pivots around three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement.

      Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism

      By moving away from acronyms, UN Tourism adopts a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN”, signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all. This change has been endorsed by the Organization’s membership, highlighting its united support for the profound transformation and reinvention of UN Tourism in recent years, as it has become more agile, visible, and ever closer to its Member States, partners and the sector as a whole.

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      TAT launches

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      “The Tourism Authority of Thailand launches ‘Thais Always Care’ campaign in collaboration with other organizations to ensure tourists’ safety and enhance positive image.”

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      The campaign reflects Thailand’s renowned hospitality and warmth to visitors, showcasing the country as a desirable destination for tourists. “CARE” stands for Compassion, Assistant, Relief, and Elevate, encompassing the generosity of the Thai people and their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for tourists.

      Partners involved in the campaign have strengthened their safety measures and are utilizing technology to ensure the safety of tourists in Thailand. This includes installing CCTV cameras, implementing strict security checks at department stores, and utilizing technology like the “POLICE I LERT U” application to offer emergency assistance to international visitors. The campaign will also involve working with international KOLs to enhance the positive image of Thailand’s tourism assets and reinforce the country’s reputation as a safe destination. -Tourism Authority of Thailand

      China’s resort island receives

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      More than 90 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China’s tropical island province of Hainan in 2023, up 49.9 percent year on year, local authorities said .

      Hainan’s total tourism revenue surged 71.9 percent year on year to about 181.3 billion yuan (about 25.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

      Last year, Hainan experienced rapid development in cruise tourism. Cruises to the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea saw 400 trips, up 277.8 percent year on year, and received 149,400 domestic tourists, up 405.33 percent.

      This year, Hainan aims to receive 99 million tourists and its tourism revenue is expected to reach 207 billion yuan. The province aims to receive more than 1 million inbound tourists in 2024.

      China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. – Xinhua

      Vietnam  to welcome 17-18

      million tourists  this year

      Việt Nam’s tourism industry has set a target to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors in 2024, approaching the pre-pandemic record in 2019 when COVID-19 had yet to disrupt global travel.

      In 2023, the figure hit 12.6 million, surpassing the initial target set earlier in the year (before China, which accounted for a third of foreign arrivals to Việt Nam pre-pandemic, announced reopening plans) by 57 per cent and achieving the adjusted goal of 12-13 million.

      The number of domestic travellers, meanwhile, stood at 108 million, up 6 per cent compared to the set target. Tourism activities generated about VNĐ678 trillion (US$27.85 billion) in revenue, 4.3 per cent higher than the yearly plan.

      Despite substantial recovery in 2023, the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) said the domestic tourism recovery will still face challenges in the year ahead. This is particularly true in the context of the unpredictable global developments stemming from economic uncertainties, regional conflicts and climate change.

      Việt Nam’s socio-economic conditions remain stable; the economy continues to grow and inflation has been kept in check. But the persistent threat of disease and natural disasters are likely to create uncertainty affecting production, business activities and the daily lives of citizens.

      According to forecasts from the UN World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel activities may fully recover by the end of 2024, reaching the levels achieved in 2019. However, the recovery is expected to be uneven across different regions.

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      Based on these analyses and projections, Việt Nam aims to serve 17-18 million foreign and 110 million domestic visitors this year, with an expected total revenue from tourism nearing VNĐ840 trillion.

      To achieve the stated objectives, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng has instructed the VNAT to continue focusing on advising and improving the institutional framework, policies, reviewing identified deficiencies for adjustment, and international commitments in the field of tourism. Collaboration with other ministries and sectors is emphasised to formulate policies for developing various types of products such as agricultural tourism and digital transformation in tourism. He also noted the need for attention on strengthening tourism statistics and digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of data collection, providing reliable figures to efficiently support tourism policy planning.

      The ministry also calls for enhanced training for tourism officials and workers to meet requirements of new situations, especially in terms of language proficiency and technology expertise. — VNS

      Global Medical Tourism market 

      USD 136.93 billion in 10 years

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      In addition, customized and personalized medical tourism packages catering to individual patient’s unique needs and preferences present an opportunity for service providers. Tailoring experiences that include cultural activities, recovery retreats, and concierge services can set providers apart in a competitive market.

      Besides, wellness tourism, including genetic testing and personalized health assessments, is gaining traction. Medical tourism destinations can offer specialized wellness packages, including genetic evaluations and preventive health screenings, to attract individuals interested in proactive healthcare.

      China eases visa application for US tourists

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      The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the world’s second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Tourist visa applicants in the US will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassy’s notice said.

      Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from Dec 1.Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days. China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

      The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the country’s strict COVID-19 control policies.

      China’s visa-free policy facilitates

      travels from 6 countries

      Around 214,000 people from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia entered China in December 2023, an increase of 28.5 percent compared with November, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

      China’s unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from these countries took effect on December 1, facilitating inbound travels from there.

      Of these inbound trips, 118,000 were made by ordinary passport holders without a visa, accounting for 55.1 percent of all inbound trips from the six countries during this period. Around 91,000 visa-free entries were made for travel and business.

      Thanks to the visa-free policy, ports in the southern Chinese city of Nanning welcomed many inbound travelers. Data showed that 121 inbound travel groups of nearly 2,800 people entered China through ports in Nanning in December.

      Since the inception of the visa-free policy, ports in Beijing had, by December 31, witnessed more than 12,000 visa-free entries from the relevant countries.

      The NIA pledged more optimized entry-exit management policies for foreigners to facilitate their business, study, work, and life in China.

      International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID-19 restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60 per cent of 2019 levels. – Xinhua

      FACTS —

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      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
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