The IPU is deeply alarmed at the serious infringements of democracy in Nepal and Togo.
In Nepal, King Gyanendra has sacked the government, declared a state of emergency and imposed media censorship. He has said there will be no restoration of multi-party democracy or elections for the next three years. Until then, he retains responsibility for ruling the country and has nominated a ten-member government for the purpose.
The monarch has effected what amounts to a coup by dismissing the government and detaining various leaders of the political parties represented in parliament, effectively sidelining the parliament.
The IPU wishes to recall that parliament has an essential role to play, even in states of emergency, and that under the constitution of Nepal any state of emergency must be approved by parliament within three months of its issuance.
In Togo, following the death of President Gnassingbe Eyadema, the parliament summarily dismissed the incumbent Speaker, who according to the constitution was to assume leadership of the country and call for elections within sixty days. Following this the National Assembly hastily amended the constitution to enable the son of the late President to succeed him until the date his father's term of office would have ended. Accordingly, the elections which the constitution stipulates must take place in the following sixty days cannot take place until 2008.
The IPU views the recent developments in Nepal and Togo with the utmost concern, firmly condemns the manipulation of constitutional rule manifest in the two countries, and calls for their swift and peaceful return to constitutional order.
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