So long Kathmandu

It is almost time to leave Kathmandu and it has been a wonderful trip. I’ve worked on a couple very interesting projects, met many lovely people, sped around on motorbikes to observe judicial proceedings about town, rode elephants, even drove an elephant, made friends with some stray dogs who became my loyal protectors, fell for a pretty cow named Beula, got attacked and run off the road by a bull, the neighborhood punk, almost lost a leg to a spider bite, and nearly lost my life about a million times in the everyday terror of traffic on the road. I’ve developed a love/hate relationship with Kathmandu and though I can’t wait to go home, I’m already making plans to return after taking the bar. Though I can't be more specific about the place I've been working, they have been wonderful.

One of the projects I’ve worked on is a report on fair trials in Nepal. The recent HRC decision on case of the alleged “Bikini Killer” basically sums up how ridiculously unfair the judicial system is in Nepal. From the very beginning a suspect is denied any legal protection. Multiple hearings take place before a single judge simultaneously. Corruption, bribery, torture, and other abuses of power are rampant. Many years pass while a defendant awaits an appeal. Nepal deviates from international law in almost all aspects of its legal system. It will be interesting to see the contrast between the U.S. and Nepali criminal justice systems in the coming months and years, and to see how closely the U.S. criminal justice system complies with international law.

The other project I’ve worked on is a guide for child rights activists for how they can advocate for the representation of child rights and facilitate the involvement of children in the transitional justice process. This has involved extensive research into children’s participation in transitional justice processes around the world and interviews with various NGOs about what kind of work they are doing now, and how different NGOs can coordinate thier efforts to ensure that children’s stories are told and that thier interests are accounted for in the truth commission, reparations, and institutional reforms.

I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. I have learned an enormous amount in a very short period of time, made wonderful friends, and couldn’t have asked for a better summer after the first year of law school. Thank you to Jim Leitner and everyone at the Leitner Center for making it possible.