The Nepal Bar Association voiced concern after the Foreign Ministry told 11 ambassadors, appointed by the previous government, to return to Kathmandu, despite a Supreme Court interim order blocking their recall.
The Supreme Court had on Sunday issued an interim order in response to a writ petition, directing the government not to implement the decision to recall the ambassadors. A joint bench of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Shreekant Poudel noted that the recall could affect Nepal’s relations with host countries and questioned the rationale behind the move.
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote to the envoys asking them to return home by November 6, effectively moving ahead with the recall. Acting on the ministry’s instructions, the embassies had already communicated with their host countries about the envoys’ departure. According to a ministry official, “As multiple Supreme Court verdicts contradict each other, the government decided to carry out its own decision.” The official added that Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who also holds the foreign portfolio, consulted with ministers before sending the letters.
The Bar Association, in its statement, emphasised that any action contrary to a court order undermines constitutional provisions, the independence of the judiciary, and the rule of law. It noted that while judicial decisions may be debated academically, compliance is a constitutional duty. “Failure to follow court orders encourages arbitrary actions and weakens public confidence in the judiciary,” the statement read.
Nepal has a history of frequent ambassadorial recalls following government changes, which diplomatic sources say can send negative signals to host countries. Six ambassadors appointed by the same previous government have been retained, partly to maintain ethnic and gender balance.
The Bar Association called on all concerned to respect the Supreme Court’s orders and to avoid any measures that could compromise judicial authority or public trust in the judiciary.
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