Upcoming immigration law of Nepal and Civil liberty!!!

Draconian immigration law in offing

KOSH RAJ KOIRALA
KATHMANDU, April 12: The Home Ministry has proposed to amend the existing Immigration Act to include a provision in it to prohibit Nepali citizens from traveling outside the country.

The proposed amendment to the Act gives authority to the government to restrict movement of any Nepali national if the government deems threat to national interests due to his or her departure abroad.

The Ministry made the proposal to this effect in an amendment bill submitted recently to the parliament for approval. The amendment proposal states that the government can restrict the departure of any of its citizens if it deems that his or her departure is against ‘national interests’ or against its ‘public policy’.

The proposal has justified the provision saying that it would be helpful to control anti-national activities from foreign land.

The proposal comes in the wake of senior Maoist leaders venting ire at the visit of former King Gyanendra Shah and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala to India. The Maoist leaders had alleged that Gyanendra and Koirala had gone to India to topple the government and plot conspiracy against the Maoist party.

The amendment bill also proposes to make a heavy increase in fine amount and jail term to those violating the immigration law.

Anyone found using fake details in his or her passport or in visa will be subject to five-year jail or Rs 200,000 fine or both against the existing provision of a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 or five-year jail or both.

If the bill is approved by the parliament, those assisting or motivating others to use fake details will also be liable to legal action.

Officials said the new provision was necessary as foreign employment agencies were found tampering with passports and visas while sending people abroad for jobs. Existing immigration law has provision for punishment for only the ‘victim’ of these kinds of cases.

The bill proposes a two-year jail or a maximum fine of Rs 200,000 or both against those making third persons the prey of this practice.

Among others, the amendment also proposes to form a separate unit of Immigration Police under the existing Nepal Police.

The Immigration Police will work under direct supervision and orders of Director General of Department of Immigration (DoM).

Officials at DOM said the proposal was forwarded to effectively implement the immigration law in the country. Lack of separate police has made difficult to regulate immigration law in the country, they opined.

Normally, there are separate Immigration Police units in other countries. This ensures timely police action against those violating the immigration law.
The Immigration Police unit will be similar to the existing Tourist Police. The government had formed the Tourist Police three decades ago to serve visiting foreign guests in the country.

Saurav wrote:Maoist ta "Kada" cha ni ta. If we don't carry red flag, then .......