(Recasts with government naming negotiating team)
By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Nepal's government formed a team on Friday to etch out an agreement with ethnic Madhesi groups who called for an end to police action as a condition for ending protests in which at least 13 people have died.
The naming of a three-member team came two days after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala vowed to turn Nepal into a federal state and increase representation of ethnic groups in a constituent assembly due to be elected later this year.
Koirala also invited protest leaders for talks with the government in a bid to end the unrest in the southern plains, known as the Terai.
"The team will listen to the grievances of the people in the Terai and discuss various alternatives (with protest leaders) to redress the problems," Tourism Minister Pradip Gyanwali told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
He said the team would be headed by Mahanta Thakur, agriculture minister, who is from the Madhesi community.
Earlier, Upendra Yadav, head of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum, demanded an end to police action against protests. He also said officials responsible for killing people he called peaceful protesters in the Terai should be punished before talks begin.
"The prime minister's offer (of a federal state) is unsatisfactory and does not address our demands completely. We will continue our protests until the genuine demands of the Madhesi people are met," he said.
Angry demonstrations in the Terai, a narrow strip of fertile plains bordering India and populated mainly by Madhesis, have also left scores wounded and cast a shadow over Nepal's fledgling peace process ending a decade-old conflict in which more than 13,000 people were killed.
Yadav's forum has led the protests, saying "ruling elites" dominated mainly by people from the hills had undermined them over jobs in the government, police, army and seats in parliament.
Separately, public transport, shops and businesses in many districts of Nepal's eastern hills were closed on Friday, the third day of a general strike sponsored by ethnic groups living in the mountains and also demanding more seats in the constituent assembly.
The latest turmoil is the worst since Nepal began a peace process with the Maoists following nearly 15 months of absolute rule by King Gyanendra in April last year.
The political changes and subsequent peace deal with Maoists put an end to the all-out crackdown on the independent media and opposition in the country, media group Reporters Without Borders said.
At least 245 journalists were arrested in Nepal in 2006, the Paris-based group said in a report.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Former guerrillas still recruiting child soldiers in Nepal: Human Rights Watch
The Associated Press
Friday, February 2, 2007
KATMANDU, Nepal
Nepal's former communist rebels continue to recruit child soldiers, Human Rights Watch said, despite signing a peace deal with the government that ended 10 years of fighting.
The Maoists also have not released thousands of children in their ranks used to fight the Nepalese government in the 1996-2006 civil war that killed more than 13,000 people, HRW said in a statement to The Associated Press received late Thursday.
"The Maoists should let the children go," HRW's Asia research director Sam Zarifi said. "The peace agreement explicitly forbids the use of child soldiers, and complying with this will be a key test of the Maoists' good faith to uphold the accord."
The former rebels "should immediately begin releasing the thousands of child soldiers in their ranks and cease recruiting more children," the statement said.
The rights group said its information was based on interviews with former child soldiers and Nepali and international monitors. Children as young as 14 received weapons training and carried out crucial military and logistical support duties, it said.
The Maoists, however, denied the allegations saying all of their fighters were over the age of 18.
"U.N. monitors have registered our armies in two camps in south Nepal, and none of them have been found to be under 18 years of age," Maoist leader Prachanda said at a press conference Thursday.
U.N. officials monitoring the disarmament of the former rebels were not immediately available for comment Friday.
Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, warned Thursday the former rebels may "return to the path of revolt." He stressed, however, that any protests would be peaceful.
The Maoists say Nepal's current coalition government has been slow in implementing aspects of the peace accord, such as releasing jailed fighters.
They are scheduled to join an interim government that will conduct upcoming elections, but this has been delayed by months, also angering the former guerrillas.
The Maoists began peace talks last year and signed the peace deal with the government in November.
____
Friday, February 2, 2007
KATMANDU, Nepal
Nepal's former communist rebels continue to recruit child soldiers, Human Rights Watch said, despite signing a peace deal with the government that ended 10 years of fighting.
The Maoists also have not released thousands of children in their ranks used to fight the Nepalese government in the 1996-2006 civil war that killed more than 13,000 people, HRW said in a statement to The Associated Press received late Thursday.
"The Maoists should let the children go," HRW's Asia research director Sam Zarifi said. "The peace agreement explicitly forbids the use of child soldiers, and complying with this will be a key test of the Maoists' good faith to uphold the accord."
The former rebels "should immediately begin releasing the thousands of child soldiers in their ranks and cease recruiting more children," the statement said.
The rights group said its information was based on interviews with former child soldiers and Nepali and international monitors. Children as young as 14 received weapons training and carried out crucial military and logistical support duties, it said.
The Maoists, however, denied the allegations saying all of their fighters were over the age of 18.
"U.N. monitors have registered our armies in two camps in south Nepal, and none of them have been found to be under 18 years of age," Maoist leader Prachanda said at a press conference Thursday.
U.N. officials monitoring the disarmament of the former rebels were not immediately available for comment Friday.
Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, warned Thursday the former rebels may "return to the path of revolt." He stressed, however, that any protests would be peaceful.
The Maoists say Nepal's current coalition government has been slow in implementing aspects of the peace accord, such as releasing jailed fighters.
They are scheduled to join an interim government that will conduct upcoming elections, but this has been delayed by months, also angering the former guerrillas.
The Maoists began peace talks last year and signed the peace deal with the government in November.
____
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Old wounds threaten new Nepal
By Rajesh Sundaram and Shaun Devitt
As Nepal's Maoists settle into their seats as members of the country's new 330-member interim parliament, Rajesh Sundaram and Shaun Devitt visit the country to carry out a series of exclusive interviews.
Amid the atmosphere of hope, they found the country's still fragile peace could be under threat from violent separatist splinter groups and that many questions from 10 years of civil conflict remain unanswered.
Asmita says she is not fond of carrying weapons and killing people but will "do it as history requires, bringing about a change in the society".
Although only 20-years-old she is already familiar with doing both through her role as a cadre with the second division of the Ram Briksh brigade of the Communist party of Nepal, better known as Maoists.
Asmita estimates she has killed between 20 and 25 people, but at her camp near the town of Janakpur several hundred kilometres from the capital, Kathmandu, in the country's southeastern Terai plains she tells Al Jazeera that she and her comrades are now "ready to lay down arms" for the Nepali people.
That moment may now be close as the Maoists come in from the cold both politically and physically and take up their positions in Nepal's new 330-member interim parliament.
Terai threat
The rebels struck a deal in November with the multi-party government that saw a cessation of hostilities in the Himalayan kingdom thus ending a conflict that has so far claimed 13,000 lives.
The peace accord saw the former rebels led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as Prachanda, agree to lay down their weapons in return for a promise by Girija Prasad Koirala, the Nepali prime minister, to name them in an interim government.
Now 84 former rebels have taken their seats alongside those they once fought in an administration meant to oversee elections for an assembly that will prepare a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy, which the Maoists want abolished.
But, as unarmed UN officials are deployed across the country to monitor the handover of weapons from both sides, not everyone is excited by the prospect of a "new" Nepal.
At a secret location in an Indian town just over the border from southeast Nepal, Jai Krishna Goit emerges from the shadows to give his first ever television interview.
Goit is a former Maoist and leader of Janatantrik Terai Mutik Morcha (JTMM), which translates as the People's Terai Liberation Front, a deadly splinter group that he established in 2004.
One of JTMM's main political aims is an independent state for the Madhesis, the people of the Terai, the vast southern plains that stretch across Nepal.
Clad head to toe so he cannot be identified, Goit has accused the Maoists of betraying the Madhesis people.
Political killing
His followers and members of another splinter of the JTMM have recently undertaken an increasing number of attacks in regions of the Terai, and Goit says he will fight all those who threaten his people.
"The people of Terai will drive them out," he says. "Every child in Terai will fight against the army and the PLA and is willing to become a martyr."
On September 23 Krishna Srestha, a Nepalese parliamentarian, was shot dead by Goit's men in the Siraha district of Terai.
A mainstream political assassination is something the Maoists have yet to commit in 12 years of armed resistance, but Goit openly admits to the murder.
"We do not wish to take military action against someone, but we are compelled," he says and cites recent violence in the Terai town of Nepalgunj as a reason why the Madhesis feel left behind by the "new Nepal" need to protect themselves.
In an attack that was ethnically rather than politically motivated, gangs from the hills to the north of the town ransacked and torched shops while police looked on.
"Nepalgunj is proof to my point," says Goit, "that unless the Terai is independent, Madhesis will be deprived of their economic, political, cultural, linguistic or any rights. When the Madhesis houses were burnt down they could not find justice ... how will they secure our rights? Elections will not bring solutions."
Kiran Dwyer of the UN says the situation in Terai:"Is a tinder box that could spiral out of control," but after an exhausting journey back to Kathmandu Al Jazeera found the Maoist leader unperturbed by the threat of the JTMM and other disaffected groups.
Maoist abuse
Prachanda, now more a mainstream politician than a guerrilla fighter, dismisses offhandedly the attempts to derail the new interim government.
"The splinter groups in Nepal are very small, they are only located in a few districts they have very small numbers, if we go with them in a clash we can cross them in one week," he says.
The Maoist leader says his movement will eventually fully disarm and integrate into a new Nepal army for the new Nepal but the legacy of the old Nepal and the old Maoists remains.
Indira Adhikari tells Al Jazeera her husband, Mukti Nath, was a good, loyal man and a well respected teacher in a remote village and for these reasons he was not liked by the Maoists.
Three years ago he was tied to a tree, beaten, stabbed and shot by Maoist guerrillas who accused him of spying and then put his body on public display as a warning to others.
Indira no longer fears reprisal from the Maoists but refuses to return to her village because of the public stigma attached to the perception that her husband was a police informant.
She now lives in hiding in Kathmandu and finds it hard to accept that her husband's killers are represented nearby in parliament as she and hundreds of other victims' families have yet to receive a thorough investigation.
The Maoists for their part say such atrocities are part of war and should be forgotten. They have said they are committed to bringing justice to families, but have yet to give details of how they will do so.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a communist party spokesman, says: "If a mother has lost her husband or sons in the revolution, it is possible that she can forgive the killers. She could consider the fact it happened during the revolution, that they sacrificed their lives."
Search for justice
While victims of Maoist violence are well documented by the officials, voices of those killed by the army and police have for long been silenced, hidden in the back alleys of Kathmandu.
Sharmila Tripathi's has been spearheading a fruitless campaign to allow families to discover the truth about their missing or deceased relatives.
Her husband Gyanendra, a student leader, was picked up by the army three years ago and she has not heard of him since.
In a tiny room plastered with the images of other people who disappeared after the Nepal army's crack down on Maoist sympathisers she tells us: "We haven't found a single person we have been looking for till date."
For years now the army has refused to give families access to detention centers or even acknowledge their petitions.
Activists estimate the number of missing is in the thousands and the UN, is investigating human rights violations committed by both sides during the conflict years, is receiving very little assistance.
"We have been frustrated with the lack of cooperation we are getting from both parties, under the agreement we have from the government we should have access to all documents and we don't," says Kiran Dwyer.
So, while Nepal embraces a new political era the grievances of the Madhesis and the relatives of those who lost their lives highlight that the wounds of 10 years of civil conflict will take some time yet to heal.
As Nepal's Maoists settle into their seats as members of the country's new 330-member interim parliament, Rajesh Sundaram and Shaun Devitt visit the country to carry out a series of exclusive interviews.
Amid the atmosphere of hope, they found the country's still fragile peace could be under threat from violent separatist splinter groups and that many questions from 10 years of civil conflict remain unanswered.
Asmita says she is not fond of carrying weapons and killing people but will "do it as history requires, bringing about a change in the society".
Although only 20-years-old she is already familiar with doing both through her role as a cadre with the second division of the Ram Briksh brigade of the Communist party of Nepal, better known as Maoists.
Asmita estimates she has killed between 20 and 25 people, but at her camp near the town of Janakpur several hundred kilometres from the capital, Kathmandu, in the country's southeastern Terai plains she tells Al Jazeera that she and her comrades are now "ready to lay down arms" for the Nepali people.
That moment may now be close as the Maoists come in from the cold both politically and physically and take up their positions in Nepal's new 330-member interim parliament.
Terai threat
The rebels struck a deal in November with the multi-party government that saw a cessation of hostilities in the Himalayan kingdom thus ending a conflict that has so far claimed 13,000 lives.
The peace accord saw the former rebels led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as Prachanda, agree to lay down their weapons in return for a promise by Girija Prasad Koirala, the Nepali prime minister, to name them in an interim government.
Now 84 former rebels have taken their seats alongside those they once fought in an administration meant to oversee elections for an assembly that will prepare a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy, which the Maoists want abolished.
But, as unarmed UN officials are deployed across the country to monitor the handover of weapons from both sides, not everyone is excited by the prospect of a "new" Nepal.
At a secret location in an Indian town just over the border from southeast Nepal, Jai Krishna Goit emerges from the shadows to give his first ever television interview.
Goit is a former Maoist and leader of Janatantrik Terai Mutik Morcha (JTMM), which translates as the People's Terai Liberation Front, a deadly splinter group that he established in 2004.
One of JTMM's main political aims is an independent state for the Madhesis, the people of the Terai, the vast southern plains that stretch across Nepal.
Clad head to toe so he cannot be identified, Goit has accused the Maoists of betraying the Madhesis people.
Political killing
His followers and members of another splinter of the JTMM have recently undertaken an increasing number of attacks in regions of the Terai, and Goit says he will fight all those who threaten his people.
"The people of Terai will drive them out," he says. "Every child in Terai will fight against the army and the PLA and is willing to become a martyr."
On September 23 Krishna Srestha, a Nepalese parliamentarian, was shot dead by Goit's men in the Siraha district of Terai.
A mainstream political assassination is something the Maoists have yet to commit in 12 years of armed resistance, but Goit openly admits to the murder.
"We do not wish to take military action against someone, but we are compelled," he says and cites recent violence in the Terai town of Nepalgunj as a reason why the Madhesis feel left behind by the "new Nepal" need to protect themselves.
In an attack that was ethnically rather than politically motivated, gangs from the hills to the north of the town ransacked and torched shops while police looked on.
"Nepalgunj is proof to my point," says Goit, "that unless the Terai is independent, Madhesis will be deprived of their economic, political, cultural, linguistic or any rights. When the Madhesis houses were burnt down they could not find justice ... how will they secure our rights? Elections will not bring solutions."
Kiran Dwyer of the UN says the situation in Terai:"Is a tinder box that could spiral out of control," but after an exhausting journey back to Kathmandu Al Jazeera found the Maoist leader unperturbed by the threat of the JTMM and other disaffected groups.
Maoist abuse
Prachanda, now more a mainstream politician than a guerrilla fighter, dismisses offhandedly the attempts to derail the new interim government.
"The splinter groups in Nepal are very small, they are only located in a few districts they have very small numbers, if we go with them in a clash we can cross them in one week," he says.
The Maoist leader says his movement will eventually fully disarm and integrate into a new Nepal army for the new Nepal but the legacy of the old Nepal and the old Maoists remains.
Indira Adhikari tells Al Jazeera her husband, Mukti Nath, was a good, loyal man and a well respected teacher in a remote village and for these reasons he was not liked by the Maoists.
Three years ago he was tied to a tree, beaten, stabbed and shot by Maoist guerrillas who accused him of spying and then put his body on public display as a warning to others.
Indira no longer fears reprisal from the Maoists but refuses to return to her village because of the public stigma attached to the perception that her husband was a police informant.
She now lives in hiding in Kathmandu and finds it hard to accept that her husband's killers are represented nearby in parliament as she and hundreds of other victims' families have yet to receive a thorough investigation.
The Maoists for their part say such atrocities are part of war and should be forgotten. They have said they are committed to bringing justice to families, but have yet to give details of how they will do so.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a communist party spokesman, says: "If a mother has lost her husband or sons in the revolution, it is possible that she can forgive the killers. She could consider the fact it happened during the revolution, that they sacrificed their lives."
Search for justice
While victims of Maoist violence are well documented by the officials, voices of those killed by the army and police have for long been silenced, hidden in the back alleys of Kathmandu.
Sharmila Tripathi's has been spearheading a fruitless campaign to allow families to discover the truth about their missing or deceased relatives.
Her husband Gyanendra, a student leader, was picked up by the army three years ago and she has not heard of him since.
In a tiny room plastered with the images of other people who disappeared after the Nepal army's crack down on Maoist sympathisers she tells us: "We haven't found a single person we have been looking for till date."
For years now the army has refused to give families access to detention centers or even acknowledge their petitions.
Activists estimate the number of missing is in the thousands and the UN, is investigating human rights violations committed by both sides during the conflict years, is receiving very little assistance.
"We have been frustrated with the lack of cooperation we are getting from both parties, under the agreement we have from the government we should have access to all documents and we don't," says Kiran Dwyer.
So, while Nepal embraces a new political era the grievances of the Madhesis and the relatives of those who lost their lives highlight that the wounds of 10 years of civil conflict will take some time yet to heal.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Nepal: Amnesty International urges investigation into killings
Amnesty International is gravely concerned about the outburst of violence in the Terai region in southern Nepal. At least eight people have been killed and scores of people injured in clashes between protestors and police. Many of the dead are believed to be victims of police shooting at the crowds.
The demonstrators are members of the Madhesi community in southern Nepal demanding proportional representation in the forthcoming elections to ensure better representation of the community in the constituent assembly. They consider themselves to have been left out of the political process, with no decision making powers.
Members of the Madhesi community have been carrying out a campaign of protest to publicize their political demands. According to reports, some of the demonstrators have attacked buses and lorries. Dozens of people have reportedly been injured during these attacks. There have been reports of the demonstrators attacking journalists and offices of newspapers or radio stations; some journalists have fled the area to avoid being targeted. There have also been threats to human rights defenders in the affected area, including delegations from the National Human Rights Commission and the NGO HimRights whose staff were attacked during monitoring visits to assess the unrest. One police officer has reportedly been killed and several others are among the injured.
Amnesty International acknowledges the responsibility of the authorities to maintain law and order but is concerned that some of the killings may be a result of the possible use of excessive force by police.
Amnesty International is urging the authorities in Nepal to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the events and, wherever there is sufficient evidence, prosecute anyone suspected of human rights abuses in proceedings that fully respect international fair trial standards.
The demonstrators are members of the Madhesi community in southern Nepal demanding proportional representation in the forthcoming elections to ensure better representation of the community in the constituent assembly. They consider themselves to have been left out of the political process, with no decision making powers.
Members of the Madhesi community have been carrying out a campaign of protest to publicize their political demands. According to reports, some of the demonstrators have attacked buses and lorries. Dozens of people have reportedly been injured during these attacks. There have been reports of the demonstrators attacking journalists and offices of newspapers or radio stations; some journalists have fled the area to avoid being targeted. There have also been threats to human rights defenders in the affected area, including delegations from the National Human Rights Commission and the NGO HimRights whose staff were attacked during monitoring visits to assess the unrest. One police officer has reportedly been killed and several others are among the injured.
Amnesty International acknowledges the responsibility of the authorities to maintain law and order but is concerned that some of the killings may be a result of the possible use of excessive force by police.
Amnesty International is urging the authorities in Nepal to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the events and, wherever there is sufficient evidence, prosecute anyone suspected of human rights abuses in proceedings that fully respect international fair trial standards.
Nepal PM appeals for calm after Terai unrest
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said in his address to the nation Wednesday, "I request the protest organizers to stop their strikes and protests and create a conducive environment to make a new
The Mahadhesi community, which dominates the southern area of
It is understood that the basic foundation for selecting electoral constituencies will be the size of population and the geographical structure which is not a new thing. But PM in his address said, new elections for CA that will write
He repeated his commitment to conduct a free and fair Constituent Assembly election in June. "The new constitution developed by CA will have a federal system," PM said.
"I suspect that the growing incidents have given room for reactionary forces to raise their heads," Koirala said, in his only reference to the crackdown on royalists.
Koirala's address is a sign that the government has acknowledged the marginalized Mahadhesi complaints. However, mixed reactions were reported from the Terai. Even after his historical address a police man was brutally killed by the agitators in Biratnagar. In some places the strikes were called off but curfews at majority of the places continued because of bandha called by the protesters.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Can Terai movement of Nepal be identified with the Monarchists atrocities?
The on going Terai unrest in
According to Upendra Yadav, Forum chief the protest is to establish the rights for the Diaspora that comprise almost half of
The movement was supposed to be nonviolent however, turned into violence, which claimed nine lives in a few days. The lives in the Terai have been virtually stood unmoved since the unrest started.
The protests started on Jan 16 with the demand of an autonomous Madhes state and proportional representation in the upcoming constituent assembly election, which have begun snowballing, with other Madhesi organizations joining in.
On Monday, a powerful Minister, Hridayesh Tripathi from Madhesi community, resigned the cabinet to show solidarity with the demands of the community. He also threatened to quit the ruling alliance. Although his party is in the ruling alliance, has written note of decent on draft interim constitution. ( http://npd.blogtoolkit.com/?postid=2028# )
In connection with the present Terai unrest three influential ministers in King Gyanendra's cabinet were arrested. It seems that Nepal government began a crackdown to control spiraling violence in the Terai plains claimed one more life of a 33 year old protester from Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's home town Biratnagar on Tueseday. All most of all deaths were caused due to police firing.
Kamal Thapa, ex home minister in the royal rule who advocated force against both the Maoist guerrillas and unarmed civilian protesters, was arrested around Monday from his residence in
Badri Prasad Mandal, former deputy prime minister, who held two different ministries during the Royal rule was also arrested from his residence in Biratnagar Monday night.
Salim Miya Ansari, who represented the Parliament from Bara district from the UML ticket deserted the party and formed his own to join the royal government, was arrested as well.
The commonalities of all these three arrested people are that they splinted their own parties and became the supporter of the King.
In the meantime, curfew was imposed in Biratnagar following the death while two more key towns, Janakpur in Dhanusha and Kalaiya in Bara, also remained under curfew Tuesday.
Previously the Maoists supreme was of the view that the violence flared up due to infiltration of the Monarchists and the Hindu fundamentalists some of them even must have crossed over the country's border.
Now the same kind of rhetoric has come from the Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula who said the continuing violence, arson and vandalism was the work of the followers of King Gyanendra, who were trying to prevent the June election that might abolish monarchy.
A private daily reported that police have been handed over a list over 80 royalists, including former ministers and top government officers.
In the mean time the Terai unrest has been successful to draw attentions of all national as well as the international actors. With the violence claiming eight lives and life across the Indian border crush to a halt, Indian ambassador to
What can we make out of the present situation in the Terai and
Monday, January 29, 2007
Politics against human rights brings doomsday for Nepal
Yet, beyond its natural beauty,
However, when I read news articles on political developments in
Nepalgunj violence was a spark not yet fire. And what is happening in the Terai should be taken seriously especially by the politicians of
Can we Nepalese people think of
I think, I don’t have to mention in detail the conflicts of
I am an optimist. So I believe, yet, the time has not gone. Still a lot of things can be done.
The only way to find a solution to the Terai problem is the initiation of a meaningful dialogue with all political forces in the region without any delay and reservation. No more blaming the Medheshi movement as the atrocities inflamed by the monarchists and regressive forces. Undermining the movement will further escalate the conflict.
More democratic rights and respect of human rights can only be the way to solve the problems. No doubt, every ethnic group should get freedom in practicing their culture without any bar. This is a democratic norm and it is according to the principle of human rights.
But in the name of democratic rights, indulging in division creation for sake of political gains will bring furious violent conflict. I still see many political leaders have not yet learned the lesson. As a matter of fact the situation of the southern plains is in front of every Nepali. No more politics on religion, region, ethnicity, and languages. These are basic human rights.
Politics against human rights will bring doomsday for
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Nepal lost leading female pro-democracy activist
Nona Koirala 78, a leading female pro-democracy activist in Nepal and the sister-in-law of the prime minister, died Sunday. Koirala died at the Gangalal National Heart Center in the capital, Katmandu. She had been admitted at the hospital on Jan. 20 with chest pains complain. However, it was found that she suffered from jaundice and high blood pressure.
Koirala was the widow of the elder brother of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. She had played a vital role in organizing pro-democracy activities since she entered politics in the 1960s after King Mahendra staged a coup d’état. She spent seven years in jail and eight years in exile in India along with the Prime Minister Girija Koirala.
The Nepali Congress party confirmed the death and her body would be kept at the party office so that the party cadres and the supporters can pay their last respects.
Although I will not be available physically to pay my last respect to her in Kathmandu I will be praying the almighty for the peace of the departing Soul.
The body will be cremated according to Hindu traditions.
Koirala was the widow of the elder brother of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. She had played a vital role in organizing pro-democracy activities since she entered politics in the 1960s after King Mahendra staged a coup d’état. She spent seven years in jail and eight years in exile in India along with the Prime Minister Girija Koirala.
The Nepali Congress party confirmed the death and her body would be kept at the party office so that the party cadres and the supporters can pay their last respects.
Although I will not be available physically to pay my last respect to her in Kathmandu I will be praying the almighty for the peace of the departing Soul.
The body will be cremated according to Hindu traditions.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Protesters storm police station in southern Nepal; police open fire killing 1
Saturday, January 27, 2007
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Police opened fire on protesters who tried to storm a police station in southern Nepal on Saturday, killing at least one person and wounding several others, officials said.
Hundreds of protesters tried to force their way into a police station at Kalaiya, a town about 160 kilometres south of the capital Kathmandu, prompting police to start shooting, said Bhola Siwakoti, the chief government administrator in the area.
Siwakoti said a curfew had been imposed in the town to stop violence from escalating.
The clashes in Kalaiya left at least 10 policemen injured as well as the same number of protesters, some with bullet wounds.
Violence has spread across southern Nepal since last week, triggered by activists who claim the region has long been left out of the government's development and policy-making decisions. They say such policies have focused more on people living in the Himalayan mountains to the north.
Six people have been killed in the week of violence.
Curfews have been imposed in at least six main towns in south and southeast Nepal to curb the violence, escalating demonstrations by residents who say the government has neglected their region's development and rights.
The trouble in southern Nepal began last week, when protests in the Lahan town ended with one person being killed. Four more died in violent demonstrations there earlier this week.
Protests have spread to other parts of the south, where daily life has been crippled by the curfews and a general strike called by protesters.
The protests have been organized by the Tarai People's Rights Forum, a group that says it is working for the rights of the people in Nepal's southern plains.
© The Canadian Press 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Curfews in southern Nepal cities continue
KATHMANDU, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Curfews were clamped in four cities in southern Nepal and the situation across the south plains of the country is still tough on Friday, according to local media reports.
In Lahan, Siraha district, some 150 km southeast to capital kathmandu, the curfew was imposed from 11 a.m. local time (0515 GMT) to 4 p.m. local time (1015 GMT), the reports quoted District governor Shashi Shekhar Shrestha as saying.
In Janakpur, Dhahusa, some 130 km to Kathmandu, the district administration set the curfew time from 7 a.m. (0115 GMT) to 5 p.m.(1115 GMT), the reports said, adding that in Birgunj, Parsa district, some 95 km south to Kathmandu, the local government clamped a curfew from 9 a.m. (0215 GMT) to 9 p.m. (1515 GMT).
In Biratnagar, Morang district, some 240 km southest to Kathmandu, the district administration imposed curfew from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., it added.
Madhesi People's Rights Forum's (MPRF, also called Madhesi Janadhikar Forum) activists went on with protests and strikes, while some of them continued to vandalize public properties in the above mentioned districts and some other south Terai plains districts like Mahottari and Bara.
The violent demonstrations led by MPRF began last Friday. The Forum claimed that one of its members was shot dead by a cadre of the Communist Party of Nepal (formerly known as guerrilla). MPRF later collided with policemen, in which four people were killed.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Nepal national unity or disintegration
United we stand divided we fall. Every one knows the saying. However, in Nepal unity among political actors is very rare. Even at this very dire hour in the history of Nepal, we find political leaders happily repeating their own old rhetoric. One will never deny too much politics being blind partisan has brought this situation. The prime minister has called all political actors for "national unity and reconciliation" but the reality seems going too far away from unity and reconciliation.
However, it seems in Kathmandu things are going well. Arm management has started. The Maoists have joined the interim legislature. The United Nations has given its backing to efforts to turn the page on a decade of insurgency. The UN Security Council agreed to send a team to back up the Himalayan nation's peace process, under which the Maoists have agreed to end their decade-long "people's war" and enter mainstream politics.
And now they are waiting for joining the government which will conduct Constitution Assembly election. The CA will then write a new constitution that will complete happy transformation of Nepal into a new democratic nation with respect of human rights, liberty, freedom and equality.
But the optima are marred as we see a call from UN human rights Chief Louise Arbour for the prosecution of people who committed grave human rights abuses during the insurgency. What can we make out of her suggestion? Does not this tell us that Nepal is heading toward establishing the culture of impunity? The culture of impunity will lead to the further escalation of mistrust and conflict resulting a substantial breach in unity of people. People exempted of punishment for their crimes cannot be considered equals. They are more than equals. Can democracy thrive in such condition?
Change of rulers periodically is a must in democracy. But mere change in the person does not symbolize democratic practice. The important part how people identify themselves with the nation and democratic practice will determine the sustainability of a nation. The interim constitution, which has totally disassociated the King with the politics of Nepal, was promulgated.
People like Prachanda the supreme of the Maoists party perhaps has thought that everything is now under control because they are the successors of the rulers. But they have forgotten how much damage their decade long campaign has inflicted upon national unity. They are the one who tried to divide Nepal into regional and ethnic lines. Now the southern part of the country is burning under influence of the splinters who were once the Maoists themselves.
In the meantime we must not forget the violent protests in Nepal's poorer southern plains began Saturday and lasted for three days after a 16-year-old boy was shot dead by a Maoists cadre during a scuffle between the Maoists and activists opposed to the interim constitution. The protests are driven by the Mahadhesi Janadhikar Forum, which objects to the new interim constitution.
The Prime Minister is in favor of dialogue and wants to solve the problems. He said, "All domestic problems should be resolved through dialogue. I appeal to these Mahadhesi groups to come to the negotiating table”. But his most important partner the Maoists does not seem ready to have dialogue with the splinters. Maoist supremo Prachanda has ruled out talks with the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and the armed factions of Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (JTMM).
“Negotiation is done with political forces, not with criminals and gangsters. The Janadhikar Forum and the likes are being given undue importance. They are people who ran away from our party. We know who they are and who are dictating them,” an agitated Prachanda said talking to reporters at the Prime Minister’s tea reception.
He claimed the violence in Siraha was perpetrated by royalist ‘infiltrators’ and that he had informed the government two months earlier about the possible attempts of royalists to create unrest in Terai region.
However, once the thin thread of national unity is split a lot of energy and courage need to put for bringing it back. Only accusing the king's supporters and the Hindu extremists of trying to scupper the peace deal by orchestrating a wave of unrest in the southeast of the country will not heal the wound. This kind of condemnation will further inflame the situation.
All most all international actors are willing to support Nepal for a peaceful transition. However, the domestic situation in the country looks gloomy and not positive. Changes are happening in such a fast pace, it seems very hard for maintaining the dynamics of the nation. A lot of political reforms hurriedly introduced are solely responsible for today’s disorder.
We read everyday the reports from different parts of the country. Non Nepalese are in queue to obtain citizenship of the tiny Nepal. Majority Hindus are not satisfied with the declaration of Secular State. Moreover, the whole Tarai including Supreme Court and the Prime Minister was dissatisfied with the draft Interim Constitution. However, it was promulgated and endorsed. One may wonder how could this happen. But we say in Nepal, anything miraculous can happen.
For Prime Minister G P Koirala, are Citizenship Bill, declaration of Nepal as a non Hindu State and the Interim Constitution becoming too heavy to shoulder?
However, it seems in Kathmandu things are going well. Arm management has started. The Maoists have joined the interim legislature. The United Nations has given its backing to efforts to turn the page on a decade of insurgency. The UN Security Council agreed to send a team to back up the Himalayan nation's peace process, under which the Maoists have agreed to end their decade-long "people's war" and enter mainstream politics.
And now they are waiting for joining the government which will conduct Constitution Assembly election. The CA will then write a new constitution that will complete happy transformation of Nepal into a new democratic nation with respect of human rights, liberty, freedom and equality.
But the optima are marred as we see a call from UN human rights Chief Louise Arbour for the prosecution of people who committed grave human rights abuses during the insurgency. What can we make out of her suggestion? Does not this tell us that Nepal is heading toward establishing the culture of impunity? The culture of impunity will lead to the further escalation of mistrust and conflict resulting a substantial breach in unity of people. People exempted of punishment for their crimes cannot be considered equals. They are more than equals. Can democracy thrive in such condition?
Change of rulers periodically is a must in democracy. But mere change in the person does not symbolize democratic practice. The important part how people identify themselves with the nation and democratic practice will determine the sustainability of a nation. The interim constitution, which has totally disassociated the King with the politics of Nepal, was promulgated.
People like Prachanda the supreme of the Maoists party perhaps has thought that everything is now under control because they are the successors of the rulers. But they have forgotten how much damage their decade long campaign has inflicted upon national unity. They are the one who tried to divide Nepal into regional and ethnic lines. Now the southern part of the country is burning under influence of the splinters who were once the Maoists themselves.
In the meantime we must not forget the violent protests in Nepal's poorer southern plains began Saturday and lasted for three days after a 16-year-old boy was shot dead by a Maoists cadre during a scuffle between the Maoists and activists opposed to the interim constitution. The protests are driven by the Mahadhesi Janadhikar Forum, which objects to the new interim constitution.
The Prime Minister is in favor of dialogue and wants to solve the problems. He said, "All domestic problems should be resolved through dialogue. I appeal to these Mahadhesi groups to come to the negotiating table”. But his most important partner the Maoists does not seem ready to have dialogue with the splinters. Maoist supremo Prachanda has ruled out talks with the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) and the armed factions of Terai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (JTMM).
“Negotiation is done with political forces, not with criminals and gangsters. The Janadhikar Forum and the likes are being given undue importance. They are people who ran away from our party. We know who they are and who are dictating them,” an agitated Prachanda said talking to reporters at the Prime Minister’s tea reception.
He claimed the violence in Siraha was perpetrated by royalist ‘infiltrators’ and that he had informed the government two months earlier about the possible attempts of royalists to create unrest in Terai region.
However, once the thin thread of national unity is split a lot of energy and courage need to put for bringing it back. Only accusing the king's supporters and the Hindu extremists of trying to scupper the peace deal by orchestrating a wave of unrest in the southeast of the country will not heal the wound. This kind of condemnation will further inflame the situation.
All most all international actors are willing to support Nepal for a peaceful transition. However, the domestic situation in the country looks gloomy and not positive. Changes are happening in such a fast pace, it seems very hard for maintaining the dynamics of the nation. A lot of political reforms hurriedly introduced are solely responsible for today’s disorder.
We read everyday the reports from different parts of the country. Non Nepalese are in queue to obtain citizenship of the tiny Nepal. Majority Hindus are not satisfied with the declaration of Secular State. Moreover, the whole Tarai including Supreme Court and the Prime Minister was dissatisfied with the draft Interim Constitution. However, it was promulgated and endorsed. One may wonder how could this happen. But we say in Nepal, anything miraculous can happen.
For Prime Minister G P Koirala, are Citizenship Bill, declaration of Nepal as a non Hindu State and the Interim Constitution becoming too heavy to shoulder?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Nepal's King checkmate
The boston GLOBE EDITORIAL
April 22, 2006
THE ANNOUNCEMENT yesterday that Nepal's King Gyanendra will yield his monopoly on power -- as demanded by swelling throngs of protesters this month -- may signify a victory for people power in that Himalayan nation. It may also be a sign that the political tide in Asia is flowing in a democratic direction.
Gyanendra seized total power and declared a state of emergency in February 2005, justifying his dismissal of the serving prime minister and government as necessary to combat a violent Maoist rebellion. If the king's Friday declaration that executive power ''shall from this day forward be returned to the people" is to have real meaning, he will need to release his iron grip not only on the government but also on the press and other outlets for free speech.
The king's security forces arrested, attacked, or threatened more than 400 journalists last year.
According to the media-monitoring organization Reporters Without Borders, Nepal accounted for fully half of the world's censorship cases in 2005.
There will be a triumph for the 150,000 protesters who braved beatings and shootings this month in Katmandu only if the king's pledge to yield power leads to a genuine democratic transformation. The seven political parties that had formed an alliance to lead the recent demonstrations against Gyanendra's harsh rule must truly be allowed to govern. Political prisoners, who have too often been subjected to torture, will have to be released.
The king will have to keep what he described Friday as his ''unflinching commitment to constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy." This means he will have to refrain from intervening intermittently in Nepal's political life as he has done in the past, when declaring a state of emergency, dismissing governments, and postponing elections on the grounds of royal caprice.
The chances of confining the king permanently to a mostly symbolic role in Nepal's traditional monarchy will depend on the ability of the seven-party alliance to at least neutralize the Maoist rebels, who now field 10,000 to 15,000 fighters and control large areas in the countryside. They represent a vestigial spasm of the brand of revolutionary communism that produced Peru's Shining Path movement and Pol Pot's murderous Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Human Rights groups report that Nepal's Maoists mirror the king's security forces in committing extra-judicial assassinations and torturing political enemies.
It will not be easy for the democracy movement in Nepal to steer between the shoals of absolutist royal repression and Maoist rebellion. But if Asia's democratic tide can reach Nepal, the time may not be far off when the despotic regimes in Burma and North Korea may also be swept away by people power.
April 22, 2006
THE ANNOUNCEMENT yesterday that Nepal's King Gyanendra will yield his monopoly on power -- as demanded by swelling throngs of protesters this month -- may signify a victory for people power in that Himalayan nation. It may also be a sign that the political tide in Asia is flowing in a democratic direction.
Gyanendra seized total power and declared a state of emergency in February 2005, justifying his dismissal of the serving prime minister and government as necessary to combat a violent Maoist rebellion. If the king's Friday declaration that executive power ''shall from this day forward be returned to the people" is to have real meaning, he will need to release his iron grip not only on the government but also on the press and other outlets for free speech.
The king's security forces arrested, attacked, or threatened more than 400 journalists last year.
According to the media-monitoring organization Reporters Without Borders, Nepal accounted for fully half of the world's censorship cases in 2005.
There will be a triumph for the 150,000 protesters who braved beatings and shootings this month in Katmandu only if the king's pledge to yield power leads to a genuine democratic transformation. The seven political parties that had formed an alliance to lead the recent demonstrations against Gyanendra's harsh rule must truly be allowed to govern. Political prisoners, who have too often been subjected to torture, will have to be released.
The king will have to keep what he described Friday as his ''unflinching commitment to constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy." This means he will have to refrain from intervening intermittently in Nepal's political life as he has done in the past, when declaring a state of emergency, dismissing governments, and postponing elections on the grounds of royal caprice.
The chances of confining the king permanently to a mostly symbolic role in Nepal's traditional monarchy will depend on the ability of the seven-party alliance to at least neutralize the Maoist rebels, who now field 10,000 to 15,000 fighters and control large areas in the countryside. They represent a vestigial spasm of the brand of revolutionary communism that produced Peru's Shining Path movement and Pol Pot's murderous Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Human Rights groups report that Nepal's Maoists mirror the king's security forces in committing extra-judicial assassinations and torturing political enemies.
It will not be easy for the democracy movement in Nepal to steer between the shoals of absolutist royal repression and Maoist rebellion. But if Asia's democratic tide can reach Nepal, the time may not be far off when the despotic regimes in Burma and North Korea may also be swept away by people power.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
MPRF leader denies hand of monarchists in Lahan movement
A central leader of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) has rejected accusations that pro-monarchists have any hand in the current movement in Lahan.
"We are fully a republican force. We have nothing to do with monarchy," said Amaresh Narayan Jha, central leader of MPRF and president of Maithil Society.
Jha's rejection comes after the Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara categorically accused the monarchists and reactionaries of instigating violence in Lahan.
"We concede that MPRF is not a big party and, therefore, we alone did not have the strength of leading such a big movement. But this has ceased to become only our movement. All the people of Madhes have risen up against oppression and even workers of eight parties have joined us in this movement," said Jha, talking to an FM program.
Jha said the MPRF's movement will not be withdrawn until and unless their demands are addressed by the government. The MPRF has demanded fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies based on population and provisions to ensure rights of Madhesi community in the interim constitution.
In the last few days, the incident in Lahan has continued to deteriorate. On Monday, two more persons were killed when police opened fire at rampaging demonstrators. Over four dozen persons were injured in the incident. Three police personnel and 11 people had been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment by Nepali Army chopper on Monday evening. One of the police personnel is said to have been injured by a bullet fired by demonstrators.
"We are fully a republican force. We have nothing to do with monarchy," said Amaresh Narayan Jha, central leader of MPRF and president of Maithil Society.
Jha's rejection comes after the Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara categorically accused the monarchists and reactionaries of instigating violence in Lahan.
"We concede that MPRF is not a big party and, therefore, we alone did not have the strength of leading such a big movement. But this has ceased to become only our movement. All the people of Madhes have risen up against oppression and even workers of eight parties have joined us in this movement," said Jha, talking to an FM program.
Jha said the MPRF's movement will not be withdrawn until and unless their demands are addressed by the government. The MPRF has demanded fresh delimitation of electoral constituencies based on population and provisions to ensure rights of Madhesi community in the interim constitution.
In the last few days, the incident in Lahan has continued to deteriorate. On Monday, two more persons were killed when police opened fire at rampaging demonstrators. Over four dozen persons were injured in the incident. Three police personnel and 11 people had been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment by Nepali Army chopper on Monday evening. One of the police personnel is said to have been injured by a bullet fired by demonstrators.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Nepal in Transition: Atypical, Eerie Incidences Happen
In high political level it seems there is a grand alliance of eight parties of
Although a little off schedule in maintaining time frame as agreed by the eight party alliance, it seems things are moving in the right direction for sustainable peace and democracy. However, a lot of simple logistical complications have also contributed for delay in taking actions that were supposed to be completed as previously agreed.
In the mean time reports are coming from different parts of the country which are of the alarming in nature but also against the spirit and words of the great understandings of the eight parties. For instance, the Maoists party chairman Prachanda's directives to dissolve all Maoist people's court and government was not taken seriously by the Maoists cadres. A Maoist kangaroo court in Kailali slapped the Chairman by ordering Rs 115,000 fine to a local person.
According to the Kathmandu Post daily, four Maoists reached Chaudhari's house and forced him to be present at their kangaroo court where they kept Chaudhari under control for seven hours. The rebels later released Chaudhari on the condition that the latter would pay the sum.
The rebels also threatened to abduct and detain him if he failed to abide by the decision of the kangaroo court. Is this not this peculiar?
Meanwhile, a report from Kavre said activists of the Maoist-affiliated Nepal Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Association (NHRWA) have padlocked nine hotels and resorts in Dhulikhel for an indefinite period.
The NHRWA padlocked Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, Mirabal Resort, Araniko Hotel, Himalayan Horizon, High View Resort, Mount View Resort, Rabin Sunrise, Snow View Hotel and Himalayan Shangri-la. Maoist-affiliated hotel workers warned they would break legs of those workers who refuse to come out of hotels and resorts, a hotel worker said.
It is note worthy to read the charges of the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission). It has charged the nation as a promoter for culture of impunity. Is not this an odd incident? This is a grave allegation. How can a government formed with the aspiration of the millions of agitating people for democracy and Human Rights can promote culture of impunity? If the charges of NHRC are correct, are we going back to the square one? Is not this weird? Can such a strange thing possible in
At a press meet, organized Sunday, NHRC's Acting Secretary Dhruba
A statement, issued during the press meet, said the government has acted upon only 40 of the 147 recommendations, made by the commission since its establishment in 2000.
"The commission has probed 870 cases so far. But it hasn't been able to make recommendations on any of them due to the absence of members,"
The commission also said the government hasn't yet made public the status of 646 personnel, disappeared by security personnel in the past. Similarly, it accused the Maoists of not making public the status of 181, abducted by them in the past.
"Although the government and the Maoists, in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, expressed commitment to provide information to the concerned families of the disappeared persons, both parties have not acted upon it," the statement said.
The eight party alliances are in the government of
The meeting of the eight party leaders in the morning had asked the government to form a high level commission to investigate the Lahan incident and provide compensation to victims. What about taking actions against their own cadres who are trigger happy? Is not this amazing?
The government has formed a three-member high level commission to probe the violent incidences that have wreaked Lahan for the past few days.
The Prime minister’s hometown is Biratnagar. From the city the news comes that majority of the people seeking citizenship of
The work of citizenship certificate distribution team has been hampered due to large crowds of new faces at all 22 wards of the Biratnagar sub-metropolis.
A majority percent of applicants, who suddenly appeared after the arrival of the government team, had earlier never been seen in the society, according to government officials deployed there. They are creating hurdles when asked for supporting birth registrations and permanent address, say the officials.
Many are Indian citizens holding index forms filled for citizenship. "Some Indian nationals are claiming Nepali citizenship on the basis of their marriage to Nepali women. They are demanding citizenship not only for themselves but also for their parents and siblings. The Indians are demanding citizenship also on the basis that they can speak Nepali.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Violence returns to Nepal, 11 injured ???????
Eleven people including six policemen were hurt in separate incidents in Nepal Kathmandu .
"Three of the wounded policemen have been rushed to a nearby hospital with head injuries," district official Shiva Nepal said. "The Maoists ransacked the post, threw out belongings and utensils of the policemen before leaving the area," he added. Maoist leaders were not immediately available for comment.
Nearly 2,000 police posts, closed during the 10-year anti-monarchy Maoist revolt, are being reopened acrossNepal
On Sunday, authorities imposed a curfew to prevent further clashes in the southeastern town ofLahan
"Three of the wounded policemen have been rushed to a nearby hospital with head injuries," district official Shiva Nepal said. "The Maoists ransacked the post, threw out belongings and utensils of the policemen before leaving the area," he added. Maoist leaders were not immediately available for comment.
Nearly 2,000 police posts, closed during the 10-year anti-monarchy Maoist revolt, are being reopened across
On Sunday, authorities imposed a curfew to prevent further clashes in the southeastern town of
"We have imposed the curfew to avoid further clashes after a crowd of locals attacked a Maoist office in the town wounding five former rebels," Chiranjibi Adhikary, an official, said. The protesters say
The injured Maoists are undergoing treatment in a local hospital, the official added. A second district also lay paralyzed by a strike call no one knew given by whom while
Long-distance buses connecting Kathmandu with outer districts and trucks from
The violence comes after the Maoists formally abandoned their decade-old anti-monarchy revolt when their leaders joined an interim parliament last week.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Calls for end to impunity
Louise Arbour is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR). She is in
During her stay in
According to different news sources the meeting focused on recent political changes and their implications on human rights situation.
It is significant to note that Arbour seems to be uncourageous at the improvement in human rights situation since the end of royal regime. However, it is equally note worthy to know that she is concerned about the culture of impunity which is prevailing in present
Without HR violators being brought to the justice none of the political developments will really be meaningful in democratic practice. Just swapping of actors cannot be a basis of sustainable peace and democracy.
The continuation of unjust in terms of human rights violation under any kind of reform or change should not be compromised. Democracy does not mean only social welfares and being part of the sovereign. The rights of an individual at all respects must be respected. Difference of opinion and specially practice as religion, sexual orientation, maintaining cultural must be respected by all political actors.
But how far her office can stand on HR issues which may come every day should be the prime concern at this point of time in
For HR community her remark at an interaction program is worth praising. She said, “We intend to fulfill this responsibility by working together with the incoming Interim Government of Nepal, political parties, National Human Rights Commission, civil society and all other relevant actors.”
The HR communities of
The international experience on bringing culprit to justice tells us it is one of the most difficult tasks. But with culture of impunity peace can neither be durable nor sustainable. Political changes will indeed change the actors and the duty of the administration is to bring the HR violators to justice.
To create a just society every one should be given equal opportunity to enjoy freedom and liberty in
Friday, January 19, 2007
Democracy comes from the consent of the people, not the barrel of a gun: Moriarty
Speaking to journalists at the US Embassy on Friday, US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, has repeated the US government’s stand that the Maoists should not be introduced in the cabinet before arms management is completed in a transparent manner.
Moriarty said the US was firm on its position that the arms management process must be completed in an effective and transparent manner before the Maoists’ induction in the interim government.
The ambassador pointed out his views saying that no partner in a coalition government should expect to retain a private army. Destabilization, mistrust, and insecurity invariably would result if political forces keep their private army.
He further forcefully said, “Democracy comes from the consent of the people, not the barrel of a gun.” However he has advised the Maoists to completely renounce violence, intimidation, and extortion as they are now represented in a democratic Interim Legislature. He has continued that it is time they finally need to abide by the wish of the Nepali people who deserve nothing less.
Although Moriarty welcomed the announcement of the Maoists to dissolve their government structures and participate in the joint local governments he seems skeptical as well. He asked the Maoists to strictly implement their decisions as promises had proven hollow in the past.
On Wednesday, Moriarty met with Prime Minister GP Koirala and conveyed the US government’s position over the arms management and participation of the Maoists in the interim cabinet.
The US ambassador’s reaction comes at a time when the Maoists prepare to join an interim cabinet following the promulgation of the interim constitution and formation of interim legislature.
However, PM Koirala was in favor of the Maoists to join the government within 20 days after their arms are fully locked up under UN supervision.
Moriarty said the US was firm on its position that the arms management process must be completed in an effective and transparent manner before the Maoists’ induction in the interim government.
The ambassador pointed out his views saying that no partner in a coalition government should expect to retain a private army. Destabilization, mistrust, and insecurity invariably would result if political forces keep their private army.
He further forcefully said, “Democracy comes from the consent of the people, not the barrel of a gun.” However he has advised the Maoists to completely renounce violence, intimidation, and extortion as they are now represented in a democratic Interim Legislature. He has continued that it is time they finally need to abide by the wish of the Nepali people who deserve nothing less.
Although Moriarty welcomed the announcement of the Maoists to dissolve their government structures and participate in the joint local governments he seems skeptical as well. He asked the Maoists to strictly implement their decisions as promises had proven hollow in the past.
On Wednesday, Moriarty met with Prime Minister GP Koirala and conveyed the US government’s position over the arms management and participation of the Maoists in the interim cabinet.
The US ambassador’s reaction comes at a time when the Maoists prepare to join an interim cabinet following the promulgation of the interim constitution and formation of interim legislature.
However, PM Koirala was in favor of the Maoists to join the government within 20 days after their arms are fully locked up under UN supervision.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
US support Maoist inclusion in Interim Legislature
US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty Wednesday morning visited Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence in Baluwatar this morning and had consultation on Political development in Nepal.
“The United States welcomes the Maoist's inclusion into the new Interim Legislature”, Moriarty today made the comment during a meeting with According to sources. Moriarty also informed the PM that Washington was positive about the recently promulgated interim constitution and their participation in the interim legislature.
Moriarty was the first foreign envoy to visit the Prime Minister first time in the days following Monday's historic promulgation of Interim Constitution of Nepal-2063, which brought the Maoist into interim legislature.
Likewise, the meeting between the US envoy -- whose country is yet to drop the terrorist tag on the Maoists -- and PM Koirala that came amidst the flurry of new political developments here has been seen in a meaningful light.
However, according to Suresh Chalise an advisor to the PM, Moriarty wanted the Prime Minister to give full attention on noticeable same behavior and the activities of the Maoist cadres.
In the meantime it is observed today's meeting that came a day after the US embassy in Kathmandu welcomed the promulgation of interim constitution and formation of interim legislative parliament has significant meaning and importance in course of Peace Process. The US embassy press release has urged the Maoists to use the opportunity to finally abandon their violent activities.
The US has welcomed the formation of interim legislature and promulgation of interim constitution while urging for a ‘credible and complete’ arms management before the formation of an interim government. The US has been positioning that it will not remove Maoists from its terror list until they completely renounce violence. The US has also said it will not provide assistance to the ministries led by Maoists in the interim government.
“The United States welcomes the Maoist's inclusion into the new Interim Legislature”, Moriarty today made the comment during a meeting with According to sources. Moriarty also informed the PM that Washington was positive about the recently promulgated interim constitution and their participation in the interim legislature.
Moriarty was the first foreign envoy to visit the Prime Minister first time in the days following Monday's historic promulgation of Interim Constitution of Nepal-2063, which brought the Maoist into interim legislature.
Likewise, the meeting between the US envoy -- whose country is yet to drop the terrorist tag on the Maoists -- and PM Koirala that came amidst the flurry of new political developments here has been seen in a meaningful light.
However, according to Suresh Chalise an advisor to the PM, Moriarty wanted the Prime Minister to give full attention on noticeable same behavior and the activities of the Maoist cadres.
In the meantime it is observed today's meeting that came a day after the US embassy in Kathmandu welcomed the promulgation of interim constitution and formation of interim legislative parliament has significant meaning and importance in course of Peace Process. The US embassy press release has urged the Maoists to use the opportunity to finally abandon their violent activities.
The US has welcomed the formation of interim legislature and promulgation of interim constitution while urging for a ‘credible and complete’ arms management before the formation of an interim government. The US has been positioning that it will not remove Maoists from its terror list until they completely renounce violence. The US has also said it will not provide assistance to the ministries led by Maoists in the interim government.
Nepal; Holiday Observed: Copies of Interim Constitution Burnt
Nepal declared a national holiday on Tuesday to celebrate the historic entry of Maoist guerrillas into the political mainstream following a decade of bloody war. Indeed, the news is very uncourageous and positive.
The move came after Maoists formally joined a new parliament late on Monday after a new temporary constitution was approved that strips the king of his status as head of state, including control of the army. The holiday was intended to celebrate the announcement “of the interim constitution and the formation of the interim legislature,” Industry Minister Hridayesh Tripathi told AFP.
Another news from Nepal is equally important as well as sensitive that at least two dozen activists of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) were arrested today from their sit-in organized in the capital to protest the 'flaws' in the interim constitution promulgated on Monday.
The MPRF activists including MP Amresh Kumar Singh and MPRF chairman Upendra Yadav were apprehended after they started burning the copies of interim constitution at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. The protesters said the interim constitution failed to address the demands of Madhesi people.
The MPRF also called a daylong general strike today in Terai districts, closing down marketplaces, industries and transport services.
The promulgation of the interim constitution has reminded me the decade back events in Nepal when the recent past Constitution was promulgated. Many of the actors were same however the role was different.
Then the Maoists marked the historical day as the black day and called for black out in Kathmandu. Lighting the candles and burning fire crackers, Nepali congress observed the day.
Then the Maoists party was so tiny, nobody ever thought just to bring them to a national mainstream existing constitution had to be scraped. In course of their pursuit to replace Nepal to a communist republic unnecessarily so much blood shed. After all they compromised for Parliamentary Democracy leaving their claim to establish one party Communist rule.
Although, MPRF and JTMM (Jantrantric Terai Mukti Morcha) do not seem to be large enough to draw their dissatisfaction in the nation and the international arena at this moment, they can sustain their movement with the support of the people in the terai and can be a cause for uncertainty and instability.
JTMM is the product of the Maoists party and believes in the violent way to overthrow the government. Are we again prepared to throw out the constitution after a decade to accommodate the unhappy forces? Who knows the history might repeat in Nepal. Should not the government of Nepal give special care and interest to bring MPRF and JTMM in dialogue?
Perhaps, everyone in Nepal must have learned a lot from the Maoists insurgency. I am sure; the most important lessons must be learned by the Maoists leaders themselves. In division it is easy to raise ambitions of the people. However, once people are divided it takes many years to heal the wound. Are not today’s MPRF and JTMM similar to the Maoists in size during 1991-92?
The move came after Maoists formally joined a new parliament late on Monday after a new temporary constitution was approved that strips the king of his status as head of state, including control of the army. The holiday was intended to celebrate the announcement “of the interim constitution and the formation of the interim legislature,” Industry Minister Hridayesh Tripathi told AFP.
Another news from Nepal is equally important as well as sensitive that at least two dozen activists of the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) were arrested today from their sit-in organized in the capital to protest the 'flaws' in the interim constitution promulgated on Monday.
The MPRF activists including MP Amresh Kumar Singh and MPRF chairman Upendra Yadav were apprehended after they started burning the copies of interim constitution at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. The protesters said the interim constitution failed to address the demands of Madhesi people.
The MPRF also called a daylong general strike today in Terai districts, closing down marketplaces, industries and transport services.
The promulgation of the interim constitution has reminded me the decade back events in Nepal when the recent past Constitution was promulgated. Many of the actors were same however the role was different.
Then the Maoists marked the historical day as the black day and called for black out in Kathmandu. Lighting the candles and burning fire crackers, Nepali congress observed the day.
Then the Maoists party was so tiny, nobody ever thought just to bring them to a national mainstream existing constitution had to be scraped. In course of their pursuit to replace Nepal to a communist republic unnecessarily so much blood shed. After all they compromised for Parliamentary Democracy leaving their claim to establish one party Communist rule.
Although, MPRF and JTMM (Jantrantric Terai Mukti Morcha) do not seem to be large enough to draw their dissatisfaction in the nation and the international arena at this moment, they can sustain their movement with the support of the people in the terai and can be a cause for uncertainty and instability.
JTMM is the product of the Maoists party and believes in the violent way to overthrow the government. Are we again prepared to throw out the constitution after a decade to accommodate the unhappy forces? Who knows the history might repeat in Nepal. Should not the government of Nepal give special care and interest to bring MPRF and JTMM in dialogue?
Perhaps, everyone in Nepal must have learned a lot from the Maoists insurgency. I am sure; the most important lessons must be learned by the Maoists leaders themselves. In division it is easy to raise ambitions of the people. However, once people are divided it takes many years to heal the wound. Are not today’s MPRF and JTMM similar to the Maoists in size during 1991-92?
Monday, January 15, 2007
Nepal Interim Parliament: One Third Nominated MPs
The first session of the newly formed 330-member interim parliament convened at the parliament building in Singha Durbar Monday evening. Among them 121 are nominated; 73 by the Maoists as agreed during negotiation with SPA and further 48 members that includes 10 each from NC, UML and the Maoists. 18 remaining members were filled by NC (D) which nominated 6 and remaining by smaller parties that are alliance in SPA.
It is true, more than one third of the members of the interim house are nominated by the parties and people have not elected them. What can people make out of this structure of the interim house? Although, the house is considered as an interim it has full power in the state affairs.
In democratic practice has any one come across this kind of arrangement made in any counties? At least I do not know. My lack of knowledge cannot lead to the judgment that Nepal’s present interim house is not democratic.
A democracy is the rule of the law. Rules are made by the representatives of the people. The representatives cannot be self proclaimed or nominated by some political organizations. They must be elected by the sovereign people.
Judging through the above core value of democracy one can easily make out the present house of Nepal is not up to the standard of a democracy. However, one can argue since it is an interim house and the country itself in transition: heading towards a full-fledged democracy, at least, the house is the product of a consensus which ended a bloody brutal insurgency, an armed outfit has come to the parliament and the house has both elected as well as nominated representatives. Is not this a huge achievement in obtaining democracy and maintaining its decorum?
Democracy is not a fixed set of rules and regulations. If you do such and such as mentioned in such and such books it is democracy and democratic and if you deviate you missed it. Democracy is basically the government of the people by the people and for the people. The simple Lincoln’s definition of democracy incorporates a lot of flexibility while maintaining basic principles.
Although Nepal’s arrangement for creation of the interim house seems odd to the democratic practice, it can give a final out put which will be the safe landing of Nepal to democracy respecting human rights, freedom and liberty for all.
Thanks to all people who have worked really hard to make the political conversion possible. It was a landmark moment when the Maoist MPs (all nominated) entered the parliament building along with the sitting MPs, who were members of the dissolved House of Representatives and National Assembly, (HoR) and some other nominated new faces.
The MPs of different parties could be seen greeting each other as the meeting started at around 9:00 pm. Most of the Maoist MPs were seen in grey coats while those from Terai region were clad in their traditional Dhoti and Kurta.
Nepali Congress MP Bal Bahadur Rai, the most senior parliamentarian, chaired the opening session of the interim parliament. Rai took the oath of the chair of the session and administered collective oath of office and secrecy to the MPs.
.
It is true, more than one third of the members of the interim house are nominated by the parties and people have not elected them. What can people make out of this structure of the interim house? Although, the house is considered as an interim it has full power in the state affairs.
In democratic practice has any one come across this kind of arrangement made in any counties? At least I do not know. My lack of knowledge cannot lead to the judgment that Nepal’s present interim house is not democratic.
A democracy is the rule of the law. Rules are made by the representatives of the people. The representatives cannot be self proclaimed or nominated by some political organizations. They must be elected by the sovereign people.
Judging through the above core value of democracy one can easily make out the present house of Nepal is not up to the standard of a democracy. However, one can argue since it is an interim house and the country itself in transition: heading towards a full-fledged democracy, at least, the house is the product of a consensus which ended a bloody brutal insurgency, an armed outfit has come to the parliament and the house has both elected as well as nominated representatives. Is not this a huge achievement in obtaining democracy and maintaining its decorum?
Democracy is not a fixed set of rules and regulations. If you do such and such as mentioned in such and such books it is democracy and democratic and if you deviate you missed it. Democracy is basically the government of the people by the people and for the people. The simple Lincoln’s definition of democracy incorporates a lot of flexibility while maintaining basic principles.
Although Nepal’s arrangement for creation of the interim house seems odd to the democratic practice, it can give a final out put which will be the safe landing of Nepal to democracy respecting human rights, freedom and liberty for all.
Thanks to all people who have worked really hard to make the political conversion possible. It was a landmark moment when the Maoist MPs (all nominated) entered the parliament building along with the sitting MPs, who were members of the dissolved House of Representatives and National Assembly, (HoR) and some other nominated new faces.
The MPs of different parties could be seen greeting each other as the meeting started at around 9:00 pm. Most of the Maoist MPs were seen in grey coats while those from Terai region were clad in their traditional Dhoti and Kurta.
Nepali Congress MP Bal Bahadur Rai, the most senior parliamentarian, chaired the opening session of the interim parliament. Rai took the oath of the chair of the session and administered collective oath of office and secrecy to the MPs.
.
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