Global Rights Groups Warn of Growing Political Interference Threatening Nepal’s Judicial Independence
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) have issued a joint warning cautioning that recent executive and political actions in Nepal pose a direct threat to the independence of the nation’s judiciary. In a coordinated statement, the human rights organizations urged Nepali authorities to immediately cease political interference in judicial appointments and respect the structural integrity of the Supreme Court. The groups highlighted credible reports indicating that senior Supreme Court justices—Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, and Hari Phuyal—have faced intense political pressure to step down under the threat of arbitrary impeachment, a move that would trigger automatic suspensions and alter the bench while crucial constitutional cases are under review. Furthermore, the rights bodies strongly criticized a May 2026 executive ordinance that amended the Constitutional Council Act, arguing that unilateral changes to quorum and voting requirements bypass open parliamentary process and increase political influence over judicial selections. They also raised alarms over the appointment of Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, noting that bypassing long-standing seniority conventions without substantive public review undermines public trust. Emphasizing that an impartial court system remains a fundamental pillar of the rule of law and human rights protection, the organizations called on Nepal’s government to review controversial legal amendments through Parliament and ensure transparent, merit-based judicial appointments aligned with constitutional and international human rights standards.
