Kathmandu — The Nepal Bar Association has urged the government to uphold the dignity of the judiciary after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recalled several ambassadors despite an interim order issued by the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nepal Bar’s General Secretary and senior advocate Kedar Prasad Koirala reminded government authorities that every decision and directive of the court must be followed “to the letter and in spirit.”
“Ignoring or indirectly defying a judicial order promotes arbitrariness and weakens the rule of law. We urge all concerned not to take any steps that could undermine public faith in the judiciary,” the statement read.
Court’s Interim Order and the Dispute
The government recently decided to recall 11 ambassadors stationed in different countries. The move prompted a writ petition challenging the legality of the decision, arguing that such recalls violated diplomatic and administrative norms.
A division bench of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Shrikant Paudel on Sunday issued an interim order instructing the government not to implement the recall decision until a final verdict is delivered. The order stated that the October 30 Cabinet decision to recall ambassadors “should remain suspended” and that the status quo must be maintained.
Government’s Action Draws Concern
Despite the Supreme Court’s directive, the Foreign Ministry on Monday sent letters to the 11 ambassadors, informing them about the recall decision and requesting them to return home using flight tickets already booked for Kartik 20 (November 5).
The move has drawn criticism from the legal community and observers who see it as a challenge to judicial authority. The Nepal Bar’s appeal serves as a reminder for the government to ensure full compliance with court rulings and to avoid actions that could undermine trust in the judiciary.
