Nepal Does Away with Anti-Terrorism Law, Annuls Veto Powers for the King

On Monday, the Nepalese government decided to abrogate an eight year old anti-terrorism law that stipulated increased powers for security forces, which were able to conduct raids and make arrests of whoever was suspected of having direct or indirect links with the Maoist rebels, BBC news service informs.


But now, given the political situation in the country has been changing steadily since April, when King Gyanendra was stripped of most of his prerogatives by the newly-elected government, things between the government and the rebels seem to have improved quite a lot, including the fact that since then, the former was able to free around 700 Maoists, as well as senior leaders.

Governmental representatives met with Maoist rebels' leaders on Sunday in capital Kathmandu in order to continue peace talks. Nepal's Home Minister, Krishna Sitaula, welcomed rebel leader Prachanda and his deputy, Baburam Bhattarai, near the town of Pokhara to resume the peace process, although informal talks are said top have taken place.

According to a BBC reporter in Kathmandu, Sushil Sharma, the decision to scrap the anti-terrorism law, which has been wrongfully interpreted and used many times by previous governments, may have been related to Sunday's talks.
The AFP reports that Sitaula expressed his optimism regarding the future of the relationship between the government and the Maoists: "Both the government and the Maoists are very positive about the peace process. It is heading in the right direction".

Moreover, Gyanendra's powers are being curbed by the parliament, which decided to take his veto powers as well, on Sunday. This means that the king is no longer able to reject any laws passed by the parliament. In turn, the parliament will no longer need the formal approval of the king when it is passing bills.