Country Report 2018: Nepal

Abstract

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 (Article 17) ensures that every individual has the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and to freely associate. However, while individuals are mostly free to form organizations, the Association Registration Act – the umbrella act responsible for the registration and regulation of civil society organizations – clearly states that any attempt to act without registration is illegal, and those participating will be fined by the government. The Association Registration Act is, in most cases, the only piece of legislation governing the registration of civil society organizations (CSOs), unless otherwise stated in other statutes.