Kathmandu (Pahichan) June 18 – Advocate Sujan Panta has said that there is no need of separate law for gender and sexual minority. He said there is a need of common law for the regulation of people. He said same law could acceptable if the contradictory provisions are corrected. Panta is of the view that identity is the first concern for this community and second is same-sex marriage.

“The Supreme Court verdict, process of issuing citizenship based on identity and articles 12 of constitution are the sufficient,” said Panta, adding that Supreme Court has already given a verdict to correct the educational certificate and no issues are left.

“As far as the issues related to marriage is concerned it could be interpreted as a marriage between two people who are eligible to marry in terms of age,” he said. He cited the example of Netherland where it is mentioned as Any Two Consenting Adults.’

Stating that it is an opportunity to correct the past mistakes, there is no need of new law. He said the report presented by a government committee on same-sex marriage has served as a foundation for formulating laws. The Committee has suggested legalizing the same-sex marriage. He said there is no need of other laws if the proposal of the committee is fully implemented.

He said current draft laws have failed to touch the depth of issues as well as rights of gender and sexual minority. “Nepal law society has prepared a draft laws and it is a positive aspects that there has been discussions among the legal eagles,” Panta said, “However, it has not stressed the Supreme Court order nor it has been successful to cement the rights of this community,” said Pant.

He said holding discussions among Radheshyam Adhikari, Subas Nembang, Ram Narayan Bidari is a positive thing.  The government, however, has not made the report public. Panta is legal officer at Blue Diamond Society who raises the voices in favor of gender and sexual minority.