The CPN (Maoist) on Tuesday called a Kathmandu Valley bandh (general strike), to protest the government decision of appointing ambassadors in different countries including India, China and US. The strike crippled life across the valley.
Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara viewed the unilateral action of naming the ambassadors and formation of NHRC (Human Rights Comission of Nepal) by the government could seriously influence the current peace course.
While talking to media personals Mahara said, "Our party decided to announce 6 hour bandh (from 10 am to 4 pm) today in the valley and from 10 in the morning to noon outside the valley protesting the Government decision." He added, “The decisions including nomination of the ambassadors were a violation of the government-Maoist agreements reached in the past.”
Although it was a complete bandha, Kathmandu residents could be seen heading to their destinations on foot, but at the same time the Maoist cadres could be seen enforcing their strike on vehicles. The observers felt irony of the Maoists call.
The Maoist cadres burnt tires at various parts of the valley interrupting the traffic flow. Ramesh Dhungel of Kavre was seriously injured in the capital today after the Maoists beat him. Amotorcycle was torched and a private car vandalized during today's protests. The agitators misbehaved taxi drivers in addition to letting off air from the bicycle tires.
Similarly, today's strike affected life outside the capital as well. Maoist cadres halted traffic at Dhading's Gajuri and Naubise stretch while Dolakha's Charikot market remained shut today. Likewise, the strike also affected traffic on the different highways across the country. The Maoists also padlocked the District Development Committee office in Rasuwa.
Serious violation of agreements: Prachanda
Maoist Chairman Prachanda told state-owned Rastriya Samachar Samiti on Monday night, "We are involving in the government soon and have requested the incumbent government not to take any remarkable political and so other decisions alone. However, the government made such decision bypassing us. So, it is a serious violation of the agreement and accord between the party and the government”.
He made it clear that the political decisions have been carried on with the joint agreement of the government and the Maoist following the Eight Point Understanding. "However, the government made a unilateral decision this time."
PLA fighters protest Gov. decision
Meanwhile, Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighters came out of the PLA First Division camp at Chulachuli in Ilam district to protest the government decision to appoint ambassadors.
Commander of the PLA First Division Shantu Darai "Parwana" said some 800 PLA fighters with their weapons left the cantonment site for an hour this afternoon to protest the government decision.
Apex court upholds Citizenship Act
The Supreme Court (SC), on Monday, upheld the Citizenship Act 2006. The single bench of Judge Tahir Ali Ansari revoked a writ petition that had been filed at the apex court challenging the act.
The apex court has said that the Citizenship Act had been introduced in accordance with the House of Representatives Declaration and as per the Doctrine of Necessity.
Advocate Amita Shrestha had filed the writ petition asking the court to withdraw the Citizenship Act claiming that non-Nepalese could become citizens because of the new act.
Socialist International chief Ayala supports Nepal peace process
Talking to media persons at the Tribhuvan International Airport on arrival in Kathmandu Monday afternoon, Secretary General of the Socialist International (SI), Luis Ayala expressed hope for lasting peace in Nepal with the common effort of the eight parties. He has said he fully supports the ongoing peace process in Nepal.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Prachanda's Praise for India: Reaction of Indian Maoists!!
Nepali Maoist Party chairman Prachanda’s praise for India marked by strong critics from his all time alliance the Indian Maoists. Azad, spokesperson of Communist Party of India (Maoists) in a statement, pointed out "Prachanda's repeated praise for India's role in bringing about the agreement creates illusions among the masses about India rather than preparing them for fighting the Indian expansionists who are keen on skirmishing Nepal in future," He was surly referring to Prachanda's interpretation some while ago. Prachanda whole heartedly praised India for facilitating the 12-point agreement between the political parties and Maoists in New Delhi last year to launch people's movement, which forced King Gyanendra to give up powers.
Azad seems skeptical of India's role in helping Prachanda to agree an agreement. It is very important to note the statement posted online a few days ago states India is aiming to disarm and isolate the Maoists as it is aiming to grab the natural wealth of Nepal particularly its huge hydro potential and to make it a safe haven for the imperialists and Indian comprador capitalists. In its public reaction to their Nepali comrades' decision to join the peaceful democratic political mainstream, the Indian Maoists have criticized the decision of Nepali Maoists to deposit their weapons in cantonments. They view this as a surrender to the capitalist regime.
The statement adds it is more surprising the assertion by the CPN(Maoist) that their current "tactics" in Nepal would be an example to other Maoist parties in South Asia. The statement further clarifies, “Comrade Prachanda had also given a call to other Maoist parties to reconsider their revolutionary strategies and to practice multiparty democracy in the name of 21st century democracy”. However the statement emphasizes, “Our CC makes it crystal-clear to CPN (M) and the people at large that there can be no genuine democracy in any country without the capture of state power by the proletariat and that the so-called multiparty democracy cannot bring any basic change in the lives of the people".
The Indian Maoists have said that such move by Nepali Maoists was detrimental to the interests of the revolutionary movements not only in Nepal but also in South Asia. "There can be no genuine democracy in any country without the capture of state power by the proletariat,'' the Communist Party of India (Maoists) said.
Advising the Nepali Maoists to withdraw from the agreement with the Seven Party Alliance party spokesman Azad appeals the Maoists of Nepal to rethink about their current tactics. The tactics of the Nepalese Maoists have actually changed the very strategic direction of the revolution in Nepal. The statement reads, "The surrender of arms of PGA would only make people defenseless.”
The Indian Maoists have further said that depositing arms could lead to reversal of gains made by people of Nepal. They have also questioned the decision to allow the United Nations to monitor the depositing of arms saying that the UN itself is an instrument in the hands of imperialists.
Azad seems skeptical of India's role in helping Prachanda to agree an agreement. It is very important to note the statement posted online a few days ago states India is aiming to disarm and isolate the Maoists as it is aiming to grab the natural wealth of Nepal particularly its huge hydro potential and to make it a safe haven for the imperialists and Indian comprador capitalists. In its public reaction to their Nepali comrades' decision to join the peaceful democratic political mainstream, the Indian Maoists have criticized the decision of Nepali Maoists to deposit their weapons in cantonments. They view this as a surrender to the capitalist regime.
The statement adds it is more surprising the assertion by the CPN(Maoist) that their current "tactics" in Nepal would be an example to other Maoist parties in South Asia. The statement further clarifies, “Comrade Prachanda had also given a call to other Maoist parties to reconsider their revolutionary strategies and to practice multiparty democracy in the name of 21st century democracy”. However the statement emphasizes, “Our CC makes it crystal-clear to CPN (M) and the people at large that there can be no genuine democracy in any country without the capture of state power by the proletariat and that the so-called multiparty democracy cannot bring any basic change in the lives of the people".
The Indian Maoists have said that such move by Nepali Maoists was detrimental to the interests of the revolutionary movements not only in Nepal but also in South Asia. "There can be no genuine democracy in any country without the capture of state power by the proletariat,'' the Communist Party of India (Maoists) said.
Advising the Nepali Maoists to withdraw from the agreement with the Seven Party Alliance party spokesman Azad appeals the Maoists of Nepal to rethink about their current tactics. The tactics of the Nepalese Maoists have actually changed the very strategic direction of the revolution in Nepal. The statement reads, "The surrender of arms of PGA would only make people defenseless.”
The Indian Maoists have further said that depositing arms could lead to reversal of gains made by people of Nepal. They have also questioned the decision to allow the United Nations to monitor the depositing of arms saying that the UN itself is an instrument in the hands of imperialists.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Did King of Bhutan Learn from Nepal?
The announcement of abdication by Bhutanese king Jigme Singye Wangchuck to make way for his son to the throne has drawn mixed reaction from the Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal
While some refugee organizations have described the announcement as a ruse to baffle the international community that the authoritarian Druk regime is heading towards democratization, while some political observers from South Asia took it as a positive learning from the King of Bhutan from neighboring
On Saturday, Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) – Bhutan unveiled the Human Rights abuse in Bhutan with a press note stating, "During his 34 years of autocratic rule in Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck suppressed his citizens and is responsible for gross violation of human rights and eviction of above one hundred thousand innocent citizens."
The organization stated that hundreds of citizens were tortured, killed, raped and treated inhumanly in jails by the Royal Bhutan Army commanded by King Jigme. The limited rights granted to people during the reign of third King were seized and the national legislature was turned into a rubber stamp, the state mechanism became his propaganda machinery and the national treasury was grossly misused for family luxuries
His desertion from taking the responsibility of all the misdeeds carried out during his tenure could not be forgiven.
However, the organization extended congratulation to the new King and expressed hope that the long-standing refugee problem would find a better approach towards repatriation of refugees during his reign.
On the other hand, the Druk National Congress (DNC) a political party has welcomed the appointment of Khesar 26, as the fifth King of Bhutan.
At a special sitting of the cabinet On Thursday King Jigme announced to step down, formally handing over the responsibility of the head of the state to his Oxford-educated son. But it has not been reported when the new king would be crowned.
The current event of succession of throne in
Friday, December 15, 2006
Nepal without “Head of State"
The ruling Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists have finalized the interim constitution draft early Saturday morning. They agreed to transfer all authorities of the head of state to the prime minister during the transitional period. However, The King still resides at the Royal Palace.
Intense debate over the Kings’ position could not change the existing situation; the parties arrived at a consensus not to mention anything on the status of the King, who has been already stripped of all powers, until the constituent assembly decides the fate of monarchy.
Top SPA and Maoist leaders finalized the 168-article the interim constitution which will, however, come into force only after the Maoists disarms or the management of arms completes. The arms management process includes cantoning the Maoist army, verification of their arms, locking up arms in containers and installing electronic devices by the UN.
As per the new constitution, all the people born before or residing in Nepal since the 1990 movement will be regarded as Nepali citizens. This may be a controversial issue.
Although the Maoists have been insisting to replace the existing national animal cow with something else but they agreed to the traditional national symbols including national animal the Cow. All most all the Maoists are in favor of slaughtering the cow. In Nepal traditionally cow has been regarded as the symbol of goddess and is worshiped. A law is intact against Killing and eating cow meat.
As per Saturday's agreement, the rights to education, healthcare and employment are addressed in the directive principles of the state policies and will be guaranteed through separate laws.
The present parliament restored last April will promulgate the draft new constitution while an interim legislature after inclusion of ‘non-elected’ Maoists will endorse it.
Many observers believe that there can be a tacit understanding between all political forces regarding the position of the King in the new Nepal. Therefore, the present draft Constitution is silent on the head of the state. The King might stay as a ceremonial Person without any political say.
Intense debate over the Kings’ position could not change the existing situation; the parties arrived at a consensus not to mention anything on the status of the King, who has been already stripped of all powers, until the constituent assembly decides the fate of monarchy.
Top SPA and Maoist leaders finalized the 168-article the interim constitution which will, however, come into force only after the Maoists disarms or the management of arms completes. The arms management process includes cantoning the Maoist army, verification of their arms, locking up arms in containers and installing electronic devices by the UN.
As per the new constitution, all the people born before or residing in Nepal since the 1990 movement will be regarded as Nepali citizens. This may be a controversial issue.
Although the Maoists have been insisting to replace the existing national animal cow with something else but they agreed to the traditional national symbols including national animal the Cow. All most all the Maoists are in favor of slaughtering the cow. In Nepal traditionally cow has been regarded as the symbol of goddess and is worshiped. A law is intact against Killing and eating cow meat.
As per Saturday's agreement, the rights to education, healthcare and employment are addressed in the directive principles of the state policies and will be guaranteed through separate laws.
The present parliament restored last April will promulgate the draft new constitution while an interim legislature after inclusion of ‘non-elected’ Maoists will endorse it.
Many observers believe that there can be a tacit understanding between all political forces regarding the position of the King in the new Nepal. Therefore, the present draft Constitution is silent on the head of the state. The King might stay as a ceremonial Person without any political say.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Peace in Nepal: The way towards a new democracy?
THE Comprehensive Ceasefire and Peace Agreement between the Seven-Party Alliance Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) signed between Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and the Maoist chief Prachanda is a historic development that marks the Himalayan country’s burden with the 10-year-old insurgency. No less important is that the Peace accord between them signals a definite demonstration towards a democracy with the Maoist rebels as a full-fledged partner. Although the actual inking of the agreement was delayed, the critical part — of managing the Maoists’ weapons under UN supervision — had already gone through without a hitch. In the event, the differences that delayed the oath taking ceremony of a new interim government do not appear to have been of great significance.
With the accord signed, sealed and delivered to the people of
However, the monarchy is certain to be confined if not discarded altogether. Differences over this detail are unlikely to deter
New Book on Conflict out on Friday
A pictorial book of Nepal's decade long conflict – A People War, is set to hit bookshops on Friday.
According to a press release issued by nepa~laya today, the book is being published by the same company and was envisioned by senior journalist Kunda Dixit.
The book consists of 180 images by over 75 photographers from Nepal and abroad. The pictures are accompanied by captions and an introductory preface in English and Nepali.
The pictures were selected by an international selection committee earlier this year out of nearly 2,500 entries from 113 photographers.
In addition to Dixit, the committee included Bangladeshi photographer Sahidul Alam and Singaporean war photographer Shyam Tekwani, both internationally-acclaimed photojournalists involved in media training.
It is belived the book is a tribute to the resilience and strength of the Nepali people who endured a decade of conflict, with the pictures telling stories of suffering and loss, but also that of survival and hope for the future. “The book is also a testimony to the professionalism and commitment of the photographers who documented the conflict in these memorable images that will remain etched in our minds,” the press release quotes Dixit as saying.
The 217-page hardcover full-colour coffee table book is distributed within Nepal by Educational Book Shop and is priced at Rs 2,500.
According to a press release issued by nepa~laya today, the book is being published by the same company and was envisioned by senior journalist Kunda Dixit.
The book consists of 180 images by over 75 photographers from Nepal and abroad. The pictures are accompanied by captions and an introductory preface in English and Nepali.
The pictures were selected by an international selection committee earlier this year out of nearly 2,500 entries from 113 photographers.
In addition to Dixit, the committee included Bangladeshi photographer Sahidul Alam and Singaporean war photographer Shyam Tekwani, both internationally-acclaimed photojournalists involved in media training.
It is belived the book is a tribute to the resilience and strength of the Nepali people who endured a decade of conflict, with the pictures telling stories of suffering and loss, but also that of survival and hope for the future. “The book is also a testimony to the professionalism and commitment of the photographers who documented the conflict in these memorable images that will remain etched in our minds,” the press release quotes Dixit as saying.
The 217-page hardcover full-colour coffee table book is distributed within Nepal by Educational Book Shop and is priced at Rs 2,500.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Endengered Community Forest!!!
The Maoists have cleared some 1-square km community forest area in Danabari area of the eastern district of Ilam where a satellite camp of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is being set up.
The damage caused in the process of settling a PLA brigade here runs into tens of millions of rupees, reports quoting officials at the District Forest Office (DFO) said.
The Maoists have said there is no other option than to clear the forest, a property of Namuna Community Forest, which is managed by the local users’ group. According to Himachal, commander of the Biplab-Srijan Brigade, the forest is being cleared with the permission from the DFO and the management of the community forest.
Hundreds of PLA men were seen felling trees on Wednesday. Some 150 tent-like blocks will be erected in the camp area.
Community forests in Nepal are considered exemplary in the South Asian region. There are more than 12,000 community forest user groups around the country using and managing the community forests which cover 16 percent of the total forest area in the country.
The damage caused in the process of settling a PLA brigade here runs into tens of millions of rupees, reports quoting officials at the District Forest Office (DFO) said.
The Maoists have said there is no other option than to clear the forest, a property of Namuna Community Forest, which is managed by the local users’ group. According to Himachal, commander of the Biplab-Srijan Brigade, the forest is being cleared with the permission from the DFO and the management of the community forest.
Hundreds of PLA men were seen felling trees on Wednesday. Some 150 tent-like blocks will be erected in the camp area.
Community forests in Nepal are considered exemplary in the South Asian region. There are more than 12,000 community forest user groups around the country using and managing the community forests which cover 16 percent of the total forest area in the country.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Civilians under Maoist custody (Nepalnews special)
Forget about the peace accord, Nepalnews has learnt that dozens of civilians continue to live under captivity of the CPN (Maoist)
By Pratibedan Baidya
As the International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) was being observed amid much fanfare in the capital, Kathmandu, hapless civilians were passing their second month in the Maoist captivity in mid-western district of Pyuthan.
Prime Minister GP Koirala and Communist Party Nepal-Maoist chairman Prachanda signing the long awaited peace accord in a program at Birendra International Conference Center, Tuesday evening, Nov 21 06. nepalnews.com/rh
One of the provisions in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the government and Maoists on Nov. 21, said, "Both parties, respecting the individual's freedom and right to security shall not place anyone under whimsical or illegal detention and shall not abduct or imprison any individual. Both parties shall release the details of the condition of the people who have been disappeared or have been kept captives and an agreement has also been reached to inform about their status to their family members, legal consultant or any other authorised person."
The agreement further said, "Both parties agree to publicise and release all the person kept under detention within 15 days."
More than two weeks later, not a single person has been released from the Maoist captivity.
In an interview with BBC Nepali Service on Thursday, spokesman of the CPN (M) and chief Maoist negotiator, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said not a single person was there under their custody across the country. When asked about people being detained by the Maoists in Pyuthan, he said he had spoken to his comrades in the district same morning and that (all those in captivity) had returned (to their houses).
But a local leader of the CPN (M) in Pyuthan told Nepalnews, on condition of anonymity, that his party continued to detain dozens of people "for interrogation." "We may hand over them (to police or rights groups) as soon as an interim government involving the Maoists is formed," he said.
So, was Mahara telling a lie to millions of BBC listeners or had he been misled by his own comrades?
According to an investigation carried out by a group of human rights organisations including the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT), a number of civilians are still under Maoist custody under the fictitious charge of idol theft.
Chronicling the detention and torture of Dilnath Yogi, a former priest in his mid-fifties from mid-western district of Dang, CVICT said Maoists took Yogi into their control on Nov. 8 for 'investigation' in connection with a missing idol of a goddess from a temple in Bijuwar of Pyuthan. He has served many years as a priest to the temple and left his job four years back.
On 10 November, the Maoists also took Prem, 26 and Shreedhar Yogi, 22, sons of Dilnath, with them from their house in Dang for 'investigation' when their father was brought there in order to 'search' another idol that was missing for nearly 10 years. They were released four days later under the condition that the rebels would take them away provided the Yogis failed to hand over the missing idol within a period of two weeks.
Talking to CVICT lawyers over the telephone on 23 November, Prem said that he witnessed the Maoist cadres beating on various parts of his father's body with wooden sticks. "They were rude in treating us. They severely beat up our father in front of us many occasions. They tortured us mentally too."
Rights groups allege that Maoists continue to function as "parallel government" dispensing 'justice' in their strongholds despite waiting to join the interim government promising rule of law and good governance.
"As marked by Lena Sundh after assuming her post of chief of OHCHR for Nepal, the Maoists are not an authority to maintain order; it is the state who does it. Hence, the 'investigation' and other activities being carried out by the rebels seriously lack authority and the case of Dilnath in Pyuthan cannot be an exception," said Dr. Bhogendra Sharma, president of CVICT, in a statement.
"We strongly demand earliest, unconditional and safe release of Dilnath. State law enforcement agencies should be there to take action, if any, for any alleged involvement of Dilnath in the missing of the idol," he added.
Even after nearly two weeks of similar appeal by other rights groups, Maoists have not bothered to respond.
Kantipur—a leading national daily—reported on Sunday that four others persons, including Minnath Yogi, Hiranath Yogi, Pushpa Shrestha and Govinda Basnet are still being held by the Maoists in connection with the same case. All of them have refuted allegations that they were involved in the incident. However, "a recent meeting held at a local temple, involving all sides, praised the Maoists' on-going investigation into the case," the daily reported.
Talking to Nepalnews on Sunday, a senior leader of the CPN (Maoist), Suresh Ale Magar, clarified that his party did not have a policy to keep civilians under their custody. "We are committed towards all the agreements including CPA," he added.
He, however, said that in some parts of the country, their "people's courts" were 'investigating' into some cases as per the request from local people. He expressed ignorance about the incidence of civilians still being kept under the Maoist captivity. A Pyuthan based rights group, Human Rights Service Centre, also confirmed that Maoists were yet to release some people they had taken into custody.
Meanwhile, Maoists on Friday abducted former chairman of the district development committee of Sindhupalchowk district, Nil Prasad Bhandari, while he was on the way to Thokarpa VDC and freed him after five hours of captivity. They released Nil Prasad on condition of not returning to his village. He was nominated as DDC chairman by the erstwhile royal government.
"I was on the way to my village," Nil Prasad said, adding, "I did not imagine that the Maoists would behave with me in such a way even after the signing of the peace accord."
As the spotlight is on Maoists to see if they fulfill their pledge of joining a competitive multi-party politics, with full respect to human rights and rule of law, incidents like that of Pyuthan have raised serious doubts about their real intentions.
This has also led critics to suspect that the Maoists might exert undue pressure upon civilians in the run up to the constituent assembly elections to subscribe to their agenda.
By Pratibedan Baidya
As the International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) was being observed amid much fanfare in the capital, Kathmandu, hapless civilians were passing their second month in the Maoist captivity in mid-western district of Pyuthan.
Prime Minister GP Koirala and Communist Party Nepal-Maoist chairman Prachanda signing the long awaited peace accord in a program at Birendra International Conference Center, Tuesday evening, Nov 21 06. nepalnews.com/rh
One of the provisions in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the government and Maoists on Nov. 21, said, "Both parties, respecting the individual's freedom and right to security shall not place anyone under whimsical or illegal detention and shall not abduct or imprison any individual. Both parties shall release the details of the condition of the people who have been disappeared or have been kept captives and an agreement has also been reached to inform about their status to their family members, legal consultant or any other authorised person."
The agreement further said, "Both parties agree to publicise and release all the person kept under detention within 15 days."
More than two weeks later, not a single person has been released from the Maoist captivity.
In an interview with BBC Nepali Service on Thursday, spokesman of the CPN (M) and chief Maoist negotiator, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said not a single person was there under their custody across the country. When asked about people being detained by the Maoists in Pyuthan, he said he had spoken to his comrades in the district same morning and that (all those in captivity) had returned (to their houses).
But a local leader of the CPN (M) in Pyuthan told Nepalnews, on condition of anonymity, that his party continued to detain dozens of people "for interrogation." "We may hand over them (to police or rights groups) as soon as an interim government involving the Maoists is formed," he said.
So, was Mahara telling a lie to millions of BBC listeners or had he been misled by his own comrades?
According to an investigation carried out by a group of human rights organisations including the Centre for Victims of Torture (CVICT), a number of civilians are still under Maoist custody under the fictitious charge of idol theft.
Chronicling the detention and torture of Dilnath Yogi, a former priest in his mid-fifties from mid-western district of Dang, CVICT said Maoists took Yogi into their control on Nov. 8 for 'investigation' in connection with a missing idol of a goddess from a temple in Bijuwar of Pyuthan. He has served many years as a priest to the temple and left his job four years back.
On 10 November, the Maoists also took Prem, 26 and Shreedhar Yogi, 22, sons of Dilnath, with them from their house in Dang for 'investigation' when their father was brought there in order to 'search' another idol that was missing for nearly 10 years. They were released four days later under the condition that the rebels would take them away provided the Yogis failed to hand over the missing idol within a period of two weeks.
Talking to CVICT lawyers over the telephone on 23 November, Prem said that he witnessed the Maoist cadres beating on various parts of his father's body with wooden sticks. "They were rude in treating us. They severely beat up our father in front of us many occasions. They tortured us mentally too."
Rights groups allege that Maoists continue to function as "parallel government" dispensing 'justice' in their strongholds despite waiting to join the interim government promising rule of law and good governance.
"As marked by Lena Sundh after assuming her post of chief of OHCHR for Nepal, the Maoists are not an authority to maintain order; it is the state who does it. Hence, the 'investigation' and other activities being carried out by the rebels seriously lack authority and the case of Dilnath in Pyuthan cannot be an exception," said Dr. Bhogendra Sharma, president of CVICT, in a statement.
"We strongly demand earliest, unconditional and safe release of Dilnath. State law enforcement agencies should be there to take action, if any, for any alleged involvement of Dilnath in the missing of the idol," he added.
Even after nearly two weeks of similar appeal by other rights groups, Maoists have not bothered to respond.
Kantipur—a leading national daily—reported on Sunday that four others persons, including Minnath Yogi, Hiranath Yogi, Pushpa Shrestha and Govinda Basnet are still being held by the Maoists in connection with the same case. All of them have refuted allegations that they were involved in the incident. However, "a recent meeting held at a local temple, involving all sides, praised the Maoists' on-going investigation into the case," the daily reported.
Talking to Nepalnews on Sunday, a senior leader of the CPN (Maoist), Suresh Ale Magar, clarified that his party did not have a policy to keep civilians under their custody. "We are committed towards all the agreements including CPA," he added.
He, however, said that in some parts of the country, their "people's courts" were 'investigating' into some cases as per the request from local people. He expressed ignorance about the incidence of civilians still being kept under the Maoist captivity. A Pyuthan based rights group, Human Rights Service Centre, also confirmed that Maoists were yet to release some people they had taken into custody.
Meanwhile, Maoists on Friday abducted former chairman of the district development committee of Sindhupalchowk district, Nil Prasad Bhandari, while he was on the way to Thokarpa VDC and freed him after five hours of captivity. They released Nil Prasad on condition of not returning to his village. He was nominated as DDC chairman by the erstwhile royal government.
"I was on the way to my village," Nil Prasad said, adding, "I did not imagine that the Maoists would behave with me in such a way even after the signing of the peace accord."
As the spotlight is on Maoists to see if they fulfill their pledge of joining a competitive multi-party politics, with full respect to human rights and rule of law, incidents like that of Pyuthan have raised serious doubts about their real intentions.
This has also led critics to suspect that the Maoists might exert undue pressure upon civilians in the run up to the constituent assembly elections to subscribe to their agenda.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Over 9 Percent of Overseas Workers are Women
There are over 78,000 Nepalese women working overseas countries, except in India, according to a report.
The report prepared by Nepal Institute for Development Studies with the help of UNIFEM has shown that 9.13 percent of overseas workers are women.
The women send home Rs 11 billion every year in forms of remittances. Although women generally earn less compared to men, they save more. The report concludes that better environment should be created to facilitate their foreign employment.
Of the total women working overseas, 66 percent work as house maids while the rest work in factories, offices and restaurants. An average stay of a woman in overseas is around three and a half years. The study on migration and remittance was conducted by Ganesh Gurung, Dr. Jagannath Adhikari, David Seddon and Dr. Chandra Bhadra.
The study points out that apart from India, there are 858,451 Nepalese working in overseas countries. There are 1550 women working in UAE, 1870 in Kuwait, 1600 in Qatar, 30,000 in Saudi Arabia, 1340 in Bahrain, 400 in Lebanon, and 350 in Israel – a total of 40,000 in Gulf countries. Likewise, a substantial number of Nepalese women are working in Hong Kong, followed by the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Peace Accord In Nepal between the Government and the Maoists!
On November 21, 2006 Peace accord was signed in Kathmandu between the government of Nepal and the Maoists rebels. This is interesting not only for the students of political science but also for all the people who are peace loving. The document is a must read paper which describes the reality of ideological shift of whole communist movement in Nepal.
Communists are after all communists. Everywhere They are almost similar in many ways but the Maoists of Nepal has signed the truce. I have posted here just the preamble of the accord. It must give some glimpse of change that the Maoists of Nepal adopted.
"Respecting people’s mandate for democracy, peace and progress expressed through repeated historic people’s movement and struggles since 1951,
Reaffirming commitments to the 12-point and 8-point agreements, and 25-point code of conduct between the seven parties and the Maoists; decisions taken during the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties and the Maoist on November 8 along with other agreements, understandings, code of conducts and letter sent to the United Nations stating identical viewpoints by the Maoists and the Nepal government,
Pledging for progressive restructuring of the state by resolving prevailing problems related with class, ethnicity, regional and gender differences,
Reiterating commitments to competitive multiparty democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, complete press freedom, rule of law and all other norms and values of democratic system,
Pledging commitments to Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and other international humanitarian laws and values and principles of the human rights,
Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Nepalese people to cast their votes in the constituent assembly polls without any kind of fear,
By putting democracy, peace, prosperity, progressive social and economic transformation, independence, integrity, sovereignty and prestige of the state in the centre-stage, implement the commitments made by both the sides to hold the election to constituent assembly by mid June 2007 in a free and fair manner,
Declaring the end of armed conflict prevailing in the country since 1996 and beginning the new era of peace and co-operation as per the understanding reached between both the sides for guaranteeing the sovereignty of the Nepalese people, progressive political solution, democratic restructuring of the state and social, economic and cultural transformation of Nepalese society through the constituent assembly,
Committing to transforming the ceasefire between the Nepal government and the Maoists into permanent peace, the following comprehensive peace agreement has been reached between the Nepal government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)"
Communists are after all communists. Everywhere They are almost similar in many ways but the Maoists of Nepal has signed the truce. I have posted here just the preamble of the accord. It must give some glimpse of change that the Maoists of Nepal adopted.
"Respecting people’s mandate for democracy, peace and progress expressed through repeated historic people’s movement and struggles since 1951,
Reaffirming commitments to the 12-point and 8-point agreements, and 25-point code of conduct between the seven parties and the Maoists; decisions taken during the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties and the Maoist on November 8 along with other agreements, understandings, code of conducts and letter sent to the United Nations stating identical viewpoints by the Maoists and the Nepal government,
Pledging for progressive restructuring of the state by resolving prevailing problems related with class, ethnicity, regional and gender differences,
Reiterating commitments to competitive multiparty democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, complete press freedom, rule of law and all other norms and values of democratic system,
Pledging commitments to Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and other international humanitarian laws and values and principles of the human rights,
Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Nepalese people to cast their votes in the constituent assembly polls without any kind of fear,
By putting democracy, peace, prosperity, progressive social and economic transformation, independence, integrity, sovereignty and prestige of the state in the centre-stage, implement the commitments made by both the sides to hold the election to constituent assembly by mid June 2007 in a free and fair manner,
Declaring the end of armed conflict prevailing in the country since 1996 and beginning the new era of peace and co-operation as per the understanding reached between both the sides for guaranteeing the sovereignty of the Nepalese people, progressive political solution, democratic restructuring of the state and social, economic and cultural transformation of Nepalese society through the constituent assembly,
Committing to transforming the ceasefire between the Nepal government and the Maoists into permanent peace, the following comprehensive peace agreement has been reached between the Nepal government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)"
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Nonviolent Political Change and Lose of Human Lives!
Regarding tools for political revolution there have been always two schools of thoughts: I) nonviolent peaceful means and II) violent means through guns. There is substantial number of believers for both means. From changing dictatorial regimes to wining freedom from foreign occupation and letting rulers hear the people’s voice, nonviolent active civil disobedience method is used. The peoples’ strike in
For me nonviolent method is the most powerful means for bringing positive change. Violent methods can also bring change but it will even bring never ending cycle of violence that may be never ending. Many war destroyed African countries and
If people all over the world just use nonviolence method for political change, how much death because of man brought disasters will reduce? I have not done the math. But it does not require to be a rocket scientists to know that it will substantially reduce.
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