‘#hangtherapist’ that trend on multiple social media platforms show a considerable amount of support from members of the public in regards to introducing death penalty for heinous crimes such as rape.

“Hanging is not the solution; it goes against human rights declared by the United Nations. Instead, we are discussing chemical castration in the parliament,” says Member of Parliament, Binda Pandey.

Even though death penalty has been historically implemented in Nepal, it was abolished following the constitutional provision in 1990. Article 16, of the current constitution of Nepal, guarantees the right to live with dignity to all citizens of Nepal, and has prohibited the formulation of laws involving death punishment. In addition to that, Nepal has ratified the ‘Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)’ which prevents the execution of death sentences.

“ Nepal has ratified an international human rights declaration which prevents a country from sentencing a person to death. In giving death sentences, there is a fear of mistake and unfairness from the court system as well,” says Superintendent of Kathmandu Police, Dinesh Raj Mainali. In order to introduce harsh punishments for crimes, he emphasized on the simultaneous introduction of strict punishment of people bearing false witness in the court as well.