After the historical popular movement, Nepal is going through a transition to democracy in Nepal. Here is a list of agenda for change and transitional justice:
By Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, PhD
1. Political Agenda
· Declare election for unconditional constituent assembly with reasonable time frame (maximum 15 months recommended).
· Declare ceasefire and establish monitoring mechanism in collaboration with civil society organizations, withdraw red corner notice and cases filed against the rebel leaders (Form a powerful consensus-based interim government including the Maoists to conduct long-cherished election for the constituent assembly.
· Send the Royal Nepalese Army and the Armed Police Force back to the barrack.
· Dismantle the Privy Council and other undemocratic institutions and dismiss all diplomatic appointments of the royal regime after October 4, 2002.
· Scrap the 1990 Constitution and promulgate an Interim Authority Statute for day-to-day activities.
· Reinstate the dissolved local self-government for day-to-day functioning till the date of the formal announcement of the election for the constituent assembly.
2. Human Rights Agenda
· Release all prisoners of conscience/political prisoners unconditionally, including the Maoists leaders (pending the verdict through the transitional justice procedure).
· Impose immediate domestic sanction on the alleged perpetrators of suppressing popular movement by ceasing passport, banning international travel and keeping strong scrutiny to ensure that the wrong-doers will not be let scott-free.
· Urge the international community to impose smart sanction (travel ban, bank accounts freeze and prohibition in joining UN peacekeeping mission) to those perpetrators as identified, named and shamed by people in the course of popular movement.
· Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and other vital international human rights instruments and humanitarian law (e.g. Second Optional Protocol to Geneva Conventions).
· Establish a high level commission to investigate the whereabouts of the persons who were forcibly/involuntarily disappeared since February 1990.
· Institute an independent powerful inquiry commission with judicial authority to undertake initiatives for 1) Truth and Reconciliation ii) Human Rights Violations iii) Amnesty and forgiveness , and iv) Reparation and Rehabilitation
· Repeal all ordinances, directives, rules, regulations and codes promulgated since October 4, 2002 to pave the way for rule of law.
· Expand the mandate, authority and the duration of the OHCHR for its successful operation to effectively address the changing political and human rights context.
3. Humanitarian Agenda
* Formulate a National Policy on Internal Displacement in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles by instantly repealing the recently enacted one.
* Form a transitional commission for disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR) of belligerents/child soldiers in cooperation with international experts.
* Conclude a bi-lateral agreement with India for safe and dignified return as well as restitution of property of those refugees fled in the course of conflict.
* Expedite dialogue with the countries of origin for the amicable solution of the refugee crisis including the longstanding Bhutanese refugee stalemate.
* Ratify the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951 and enact a national legislation to address refugee problem.
* Initiate a psycho-social counseling package for the trauma survivors, families, friends and community.
4. Peacebuilding Agenda
· Reorganize, equip and activate the Peace Secretariat for its effective functioning towards facilitating and enhancing peace process.
· Constitute a high level ‘Negotiation Panel’ in consultation with the UN Peacebuilding Commission to initiate dialogue with the Maoists based on the 12 point consensus and expedite dialogue with the CPN (Maoist) on the common framework of the constituent assembly.
· Establish a think tank panel of experts to provide candid and expertly recommendations to the government in exploring lasting peace.
· Advance the process of hosting international election monitoring mission to work in collaboration with domestic observers to ensure free, fair and peaceful election.
· Solicit direct involvement of the United Nations or other credible international body as guarantor(s) as well as mediation and supervision of disarmament and demobilisation process of the Maoists cadres.
· Amend the existing laws, regulations and procedures for all security organs immediately to match their conduct in the changing context and also to minimize the potential risk of regression during transition.
5. Impunity Agenda
* Immediately suspend the heads of all security organs and head of intelligence and take appropriate actions through the proposed impunity Commission.
* Facilitate human rights organizations and the OHCHR to carry out their legitimate activities monitoring and documentation of rights violation without any hindrances.
* Prosecute all perpetrators, whoever and wherever he/she is, on the domestic level through the proposed Commission, or in a hybrid internationalized court, or in ICC (depending on the nature of crime committed).
* Establish the truth about the past through appropriate national endeavors. This may include, compiling victims’ testimonials or oral histories, supporting the work of forensic anthropologists in determining the exact nature of victims’ deaths, or exhuming the bodies of those killed.
* Establish recovery policies that take into account the requirements of, or moral obligations to, the victims/survivors, including economic compensation as well as a variety of physical and mental health programs and education benefits.
* Honor the victims through a series of measures, including consulting with victims/families/communities to develop memorials, museums, monuments and of memoir souvenirs as well as converting public spaces such as former detention camps into memorial parks or democracy study centers.
* Develop reconciliation initiatives, such as working with victims to determine what they require in order to experience healing and closure, and forging peaceful coexistence among former adversaries without sacrificing justice and accountability for perpetrators.
* Reform institutions that have a history of abusive behavior, including, RNA and the police, in order to prevent future patterns of abuse and establish state-society relationships based on functioning and fair institutions.
Siwakoti is the President of INHURED International, a human rights organization based in Lalitpur, Nepal. He could be contacted at ceasefire_nepal@yahoo.com. INHURED International advocates for zero tolerance to impunity!
United We Blog 
Comments
58 responses to “Transition to Democracy: Agenda for Nepal”
This Phd. guy must have written the article in a hurry. A lot of gaping holes and a lot of important agendas not even mentioned. Sloppy. Wonder what he got his Phd. on?
I agree Kirat,
He does not even delve into the diarming of the Maoist army. Nor does he go into the representation of the CA. I had suggested earlier that only 50% of the CA should go to parties, the others to women and minorities etc. 15 months for CA maximum – he must be sufferinf from some sort of disillusionment. We are talking about an all inclusive CA election to draft a new constitution which as far as possible should include all, and not a Phd thesis which is the only thing he is probably used to writing.
Basically, his recommendations are very basic, and does not at all touch upon the weapons that the Maoists have. How can anyone take this guy seriously????
Basically,
This Dr., is only interested in ending the monarchy period. He has nothing more to contribute to the new constitution and the process toward it or lasting peacce, stability and development for our nation.
Why is his article printed? He should just join in as a regular blogger because his article is nowhere near substantial in covering the CA or the process to conduct it.
I think UWB should rather print the article which appeared in Kathmandu Post today by Dr. Alok Bohara. He has a much more thorough appraoch.
Dear Gopal Ji,
Thanks for posting the article. I am fully confident that it will produce a healthy debate and discussion. Today, I am talking about the political agenda items that you have proposed.
In my opinion you have listed some issues but not agenda. I believe there are three political agenda before the country as follows:
1. End of absolutism,
2. Mainstreming the Maoist, and
3. Political Party Reform
All these three agenda need to carried out side by side. Overblowing one and overlooking others is unhelpful for the country and democracy.
End of Absolutism: First one should understnad why there was/is an absolutism in the country, what are the basic sources of the absolutism. Unless we are addressing the sources of absolutims we can talk in a populist way but without real content and headway.
Mainstreaming Maoist: Some are overshooting. They are overwhelmed. How you can argue unconditional constituent assembly? Give me fundmental theoretical reasoning. Talk in reference to established and weel recognized social philosophy. Democracy and ceremonial monarchy should be fundamental theoritical underpinig of the constituent assembly. A constituent assembly cannot move without having any grund norms. Of course, Maoist should give up arms. Yet it is not a grund norm but a working principle. However, it is equally importnat as to the grund norms.
Political Party Reform: It is not an arcane fact that democracy was derailed and autocracy overwhelmed in the country because of the inefficiency, undemocratic practices, unconstitutional engagements, corruption and abuses of state apparatus by the political leaders. They are so inept and incompetent. They don’t have moral sense. Still the same faces are coming to the power. It is a shame to them. If we delay in reforming Political Parties, especially the political leadership in the country again it will not be unreal to happen the same and unfortunate political accident in the country.
Therefore, these three agenda should be the political agenda of the country. Constituent Assembly, reform of RNA, settlement of arms issue relating to the Maoist are working issues but equally important. We must not be confused between agenda and working issues.
Nevertheless, I would like to congratulate to Dr. Goapal Siwakoti for this article. I will write more soon and actively particiate in this discussion. Let us have a healthy discussion.
Hi Kirat, pls. participate in this discussion. I don’t know you but reading you, I have got an impression that you are a serious person and can contribute a lot.
Surendra Bhandari
As headlines go, they were pithy. “Nepal to vote to trim king’s power.” “Nepal lawmakers demand that king relinquish control of army.” “New elected body to decide king’s role.”
Western news editors carried variations of the preceding three titles, carefully keeping the essence of the nut-graph: King Gyanendra is the principal obstacle to Nepal’s democracy and prosperity.
For a world attuned to color-coded revolutions in a minute-and-a-half segments, the televised images of Nepalese government forces killing and maiming street protesters proffered the solution. Chase or vote out the medieval monarch and Nepalis can reach for the moon.
The triumphant Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) leaders should have recognized the fallacy in that prescription. By zeroing in on the Constituent Assembly as a mechanism to oust the monarchy, the mainstream opposition may have appeased their egos bruised badly over four years of palace-driven marginalization. They shouldn’t be digging their own graves in such haste, at least not until the Maoists proved they were even remotely committed to multiparty democratic republicanism.
Although they have repeatedly vowed not to repeat the mistakes of their previous stint in power, SPA leaders have already done worse. Barely a year after promising how the restoration of multiparty democracy would turn Nepal into another Singapore, Nepali Congress and communists alike had to concede their lack of preparedness to govern. The tallness of their early promises played a major role in undercutting their credibility.
Let’s say everything works out according to plan this time. The Maoists and the SPA agree to conditions guaranteeing free and fair constituent assembly elections. Let’s say 90 percent of Nepalis vote in favor of abolishing the monarchy. (For the sake of the credibility of the exercise, the assumption here is that 10 percent of Nepalis are dim-witted and wrong-headed enough to want to keep the king. Hitler and Stalin, after all, still enjoy greater support.)
Under a republican constitution, the ex-Maoists fighters and ex-Royal Nepalese Army personnel are fused into a national army. Booting out the Ranas, Shahs, Thapas and Basnets won’t solve the problem. How are we going to reconcile the traditionally disadvantaged groups on the opposite armies raised on completely different standard operating procedures?
Even if they hit it off well personally, how can Bharat Bahadur Thapa Magar of the former Royal Nepal Army, trained in conventional combat, and Maoist fighter Ram Man Pun, with all his hit-and-run agility, be expected to get along professionally? How are their divergent attitudes, temperaments, motivations and training supposed to mesh into unity of purpose?
At the political level, the SPA and the Maoists may divvy up the presidency and premiership in the true tradition of the American spoils system. The Bahuns, Chettris and Newars that dominate each side will monopolize power and extend patronage. No matter how the military-mobilization modalities are worked out under the control of parliament, someone somewhere must have the ultimate authority to order the troops out of the barracks.
Despite all the calumnies heaped on them, the former RNA men (and women) – minus the Ranas, Shahs, Thapas and Basnets, of course – might still be driven by loyalty to the country. What about the former Maoist fighters driven by hatred for everything except their cause? Will they be able to dissociate themselves from the ideological inferno that got them this far?
This is just the monarchy-military dimension of the constituent assembly in the most optimistic scenario. We haven’t even addressed economic and social exclusion, lack of distributive justice, inequitable representation in state structures and regional disparities in development and all the other issues plaguing Nepal.
Vote out the monarchy in the constituent assembly and prosper? A nice slogan perhaps, but one that could boomerang with devastating effect quite fast. No wonder Prime Minister-designate Girija Prasad Koirala, rejecting an almost universal demand from his camp, went to Narayanhity Palace to be sworn in by King Gyanendra.
Mr. Shivakoti is emphasizing the withdrawing of RNA and Armed police force into the Barracks.So, he kept it in political agenda. But he gave less emphasis on Disarmament of Maoists and kept this point, which is more vital, at peace building section and that is also at no.5 only!!!??? Why??
The issue of “conditional” and “unconditioal” Constituent Assembly has not moved correctly as per my understanding. It is because of the following reasons:
i. Constitutent Assembly is a mechanism for the preparation of a constitution by the people. It does not mean that by the passive participation of the people. The usefullness of CA will be vindicated only when the people participate effectively, meaningfully and activeely. Therefore, the contents of the constitution should be opened. It is because the sovereignty and final state authority belings to the people and therefore they are the only owner to decide the contents.
ii. But the structuring of a society is not an issue without being agreed on an original position (Rawls). As a democrat my original positioning is democracy. I don’t want to compromise democracy and prefer to anything else. I am not ready to yield to any doctrines or theories except democracy. Like me all the Nepalese people who have fought for democracy – a liberal democracy have already proved that the basic foundation of the future Nepalese society should be democracy and nothing else. Therefore, democracy is not a condition for the CA but a fundamental guiding principle. All the stakeholders first should be agreed upon democracy as the basic watershed before moving towards CA.
iii. Still the country is a monarchial one. There are a couple of constitutional and legal problems that need to be resolved first. How the Parliament alone (without a consent of a Head of the State) declare CA? We all are going to face this in its entirety in a few days time. Democracy is a process and follows constitutionalism. I am not a monrachist by deed and end. But still the King is a Head of the State. More than these legal stuffs (that I will talk later on) look the political geometry in the country. Still the time is not ripe. Well if the Parliament can declare Nepal a Republic State I am ready to stand by the Parliament. But unless the Parliament declares Nepal as a Republic State it is a political wonk to ignore the political reality. As a pragmatist, I still see the prospects that the best way moving ahead with a smooth transition is to accept ceremonial monarchy – a monarchy having no authority, privileges, powers and immunities. These words are not merely jargons they contain legal and political concept and meaning.
Against these backgrounds, I wold like to say that the issue of “conditional” or “unconditional” should not be overblown. We must stand bythose premises that help smooth democratic transition in the country. I will write more later on. I still remember, few days back Kirat has succiently written on thse issues.
Surendra Bhandari
Hi Surendra, Busy at work right now. I will give my humble(?) input when I find time later.
Hi Gandhi Ji I know you (if I am not confused), you are a lawyer. Talk as a constitutioal expert with constitutional backup. Don’t digress.
Surendra Bhandari
Hi Kirat thanks. I am leaving now. I will be in tomorrow on the blog. Thanks.
Surendra Bhandari
And he has not even mentioned any modality or the way to disarm them (Maoists)!
Check these points out:
Release all prisoners of conscience/political prisoners unconditionally, including the Maoists leaders (pending the verdict through the transitional justice procedure).
AND IN THE SAME BREATH
· Impose immediate domestic sanction on the alleged perpetrators of suppressing popular movement by ceasing passport, banning international travel and keeping strong scrutiny to ensure that the wrong-doers will not be let scott-free.
SO BASICALLY, FREE ALL THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS AND IMPOSE HEAVY SANCTIOPNS ON PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN POWER SINCE 2004 DUE TO FLAWS IN THE 1990 CONSTITUTION FOR FOLLOWING ORDERS OF THE KING.
THIS GUYS MESSAGE CLEARLY BEING:
IF YOU ARE A MAOIST AND HAVE GUNS YOU ARE FREE TO GO, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE KING, THEN YOU HAD YOUR CHIPS.
WHAT HAPPENED TO EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.
SMART SANCTIONS? IF WE WERE TO DO THIS NOW, IT SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE ALL THE POLITICAL PARTY PEOPLE AND THE MAOISTS AS WELL. HAVE WE FORGOTTEN THEIR CORRUPTION AND EXTORTION ALREADY?
PLEASE CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHO THE HELL THIS DOCTOR IS? HE SOUNDS LIKE A QUACK QUACK!
There is no fear in criticizing the King and the Army. But you can’t say the same thing about criticizing the Maoist.
I like the last point made by Mr. Bhandari. Democraticy inside the political parties is avital issue for vibrant democracy. Same peole should not lead the parties for 20 years or five decades. The parties should move according to the demand of time. One famous phlosopher said that while you make the Constituion of a Country you must ha philosopher and a diplomat in that drafting committee. The Philosopher gives new ideas of the society where it is moving and a veteran diplomat can give give uyou the bird’s eye view of the global context. The Constituion was drafted by only legel experts (KANOONCHIS)that is why it could not incorporate and became a failure within one and a half decade.
Sorry for many typos. I hope you understand the points.
IN MY OPINION: NOTHING NEW IS GOING TO HAPPEN DESPITE OF PUBLIC PRESSURE ON THE LEADERS. JUST GOING TO C.A. WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AS LONG AS THERE ARE MORE THAN 60 POLITICAL PARTIES AND EVERYONE HUNGRY FOR THE POST OF P.M.
1. FIRST AGENDA SHOULD BE C.A. WITHIN 6 MONTHS.
2. CHANGE MULTI PARTY SYMTEM TO BI-PARTY.
3. ONE LEADER BECOMES P.M. TWO TIMES ONLY.
4. P.M. AGE LIMIT TO 60.
5. ARMY & POLICE UNDER DEFENCE MINISTER.
6. ARMY STAYS IN BARRACK.
7. NO ARMS AID TO NEPAL FOR NEXT 10 YEARS.
8. NO RANAS IN ARMY OR POLICE CHIEF POSTS.
9. MAKE PUBLIC WHEREABOUTS OF KAMAL THAPA, SIRISH SUMSHERE, TULSI GIRI, TANKA DHAKAL, KIRTI NIDHI BISTA, SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY HAVE NOT RAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY YET. FREEZE THEIR ACCOUNTS AND PASSPORT.
10. MAKE GYANENDRA’S PROPERTY PUBLIC AND GET 75% REFUND FROM HIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ALLOWANCE OF 86 CRORE FROM LAST FOUR YEARS. MAKE HIM PAY FOR THE BOEING HE USED DURING HIS HOLIDAY WITH HIS FAT ASS WIFE. CONFINE HIM TO THE PALACE UNTIL C.A.
THIS IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY WHETHER SOMEBODY READS IT OR NOT.
LAST: KICK D.B. LAMA OUT OF THE H.O.R. ASAP!!!
CA is unconditional .
If CA is conditional, it is not CA at all.
But the royalsists may beg( please give safe space for monarchy). but all the thinkers on behalf of nepali people(Krishna Pahadi, Kanakmani Dixit, etc) have advocated for unconditional CA since CA is automatically unconditional.
Why some people get stuck in the tangle of constitutional problems when the real problem is the political one???
This parliament is also not a constitutional one (as constitution is already dead with king’s takeover)
but is raised by people and is based on people’s mandate.
It should follow people’s voice.
who cares abt the lousy rules of dead constitution.
Some people still chatter “multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy” are the two pillars of nepal.
everybody knows this king is not a real monarchy at all. And nepali people have outthrown that monarchy pillar.
There is no point in crying for this beforehand. If king is really a must required and desired, CA result will show.
those ones who still cannot imagine nepal with that cursed pillar, carry that on your own backs.
Nepali people have a long way to way. We have already carried this curse so long and donot have much patience and power to drag further.
we know the next succession will be heavier.
Our country is full of wrong people who are at the right place at the right time. Looks like our PhD doc Gopal Krishna Siwakoti is one such person. Done a PhD (I wonder what he got his PhD for), been a president of some obscure HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, and assumes he has seen it all. How unfortunate that its his voice that gets heard and not ours.
GOPAL Phd. not mention anything about proscecuting the Maoist leaders and the cadres. I don’t quiet understand the double standard. Why should we only prosecute the RNA and the officials involved in supressing the people’s movement? What about the crimes comitted by Prachanda and the Mr. Baburam Battarai as well as the Maoist cadres?
How can there be a “watch” at the Airport for fomer Representatives of the Royal government, and no watch for their Royal Bosses ?
Hitler would have also been tried if he did not die…
pundit,
You want to know why we should forgive the maoist leaders? Can’t you see why? How are we able to sustain peace if we don’t do it? Do you think maoists will come to table without guns and surrender for a term in jail?
Be practical buddy.
Everyone should be respecting the rights of other people but at this juncture we should let the people realize that we are for peace and anything that undermines the aspirations of the people will not go unnoticed. However, we cannot talk about the past and condemn people if we want a bright future. We should make sure people are aware of human rights issues so that they won’t repeat them again but punishments should be forgiven for now. This is the only way we can move forward at the moment. Even the RNA personnels should be set free as previous circumstances were totally different. This however, should not be taken for granted. This is an important decision made only to facilitate the present crisis and should not encourage such activities in any form in the future.
Hari Boy:
That was the point I was trying to make! If you are going to start prosceuting RNA soilders then you have to do the same with the Maoists. However, like you said its just not feasible to do that to the Maoists so you can’t have this double standard and go after the RNA soilders! The best solution would be to have a truth and reconciliation commission like in South Africa ……. Practical enough?
boy?
You think you are so mature that you call me a “boy”? Wow…congratulations uncle…
for crying out loud it was a joke… take a chill pill
I for a change have a big respect for dr.Siwakoti. I remember him from his stand against ArunIII hydro project and how he was harassed by the government that time. I also remember his contribution towards children welfare programs. Though I don’t agree with him with his political views, I still do have respect for him and we do need people like him and his organization. But daaksaab. what have you been smoking when you decided to write this article?
I am not criticizing just for the sake of it, but I found couple of points you made very hmm how do you put it, self-indulgent ? Your whole article is based on the fact that Maoists are/were better than Royals and we should forgive Maoists but NO we shouldn’t let go any of the royal bast’rds. Granted, tide is against the Royals but should we assume that people are ready to accept Maoists as they are ( let me throw a popular word : unconditionally) just because they hate Gyanendra’s guts ?
Yes seize passports of Gyanendra and co, at the same time have a courage to put ‘domestic’ sanctions on Prachanda and co too. Will make more sense. Same should be apply to ‘smart’ sanctions too .Nobody is going to ICC and nobody is going to ratify the Rome treaty. If you check we had this discussion earlier and we all know that Maoists can’t dare to bring this to ICC, and SPA can’t betray it’s new buddies.
You mentioned something about child soldiers. Excellent. I agree with you there. But are we going to let the people who abducted and recruited children to fight go free ? Shouldn’t we bring them to ICC too ? oh no wait, it wasn’t Nepali Army, so let’s not talk about it.
We are giving Mao comrades more than enough time right now to regroup and reorganized. Seems like nobody actually care about it anymore. Yes it is trust and our comrades are renowned for keeping their words.(bollocks) But isn’t it somehow ironic that they are not mentioning anything about laying the arms ? We are talking a lot about how they should be brought to the mainstream, but what are they doing ? You don’t need to give up arms tomorrow, but hey you can make your plans public. You can’t talk about ‘unconditional’ anything, when you are the people who put thousands of conditions which our Girija babu can’t even manage to count.
Dr. Chintan, you forgot to mention many points which Maoists should act upon. And few of the good points you have made , they are so obvious that it feels like you are doing a lot of copying and pasting from the newspapers : )
Anyways thank you .
hari sharma,
“Do you think maoists will come to table without guns and surrender for a term in jail?
Be practical buddy.”
You think so? I think you are indulging in wishful thinking my friend. Your wish is mother to your thought.
I appreciate the fact that you are atleast trying to get over and above petty politics and all that. But you gotta be practical man. Do you tink the Maoists will give up arms after the constitutional assembly is elected? What is the guarantee? Wht if the constitutional assembly decides to make only cosmetic changes to the constitution?
Therefore, I do agree with Bhudai Pundit about the South Africa-like thing in Nepal as well. However, my primary concern right now is how will fair elections to the constituent assembly be possible as long as the Maoists hold on to their weapons as dearly as most sane people hold on to their spouses and families.
“Do you tink the Maoists will give up arms after the constitutional assembly is elected?”
Prakash,
What I meant was that the maoists won’t come unless they are assured that they won’t be condemned to jail sentence for the atrocities they committed in the past.
As for CA elections and thereafter, we need to get some body to monitor the arms. So, going to CA without disarming all sides would be a blunder.
However, if some of the faction of maoists or even a new group decides to go for another wave of violence, we have to face it when it springs out. We can’t just move with “if and if” situation. We need to have some trust if we want to establish peace in the first place. If you can’t, we will never have peace, forget about everything else…
pundit,
Its not a big deal for me but you should learn to respect other people. Calling “boy” is pretty rude. At least come up to the word”buddy”…
hari sharma , interesting observation.
So you think that the main task right now is to bring Maoists to the table without raising any questions about their past behaviours ? Don’t you think they will manage to dictate the conditions which would be favourable for them then ? Granted, we need Maoists on the table, but shouldn’t we expect something in return from their side too ? What about making the announcement of the plan how they are thinking of laying their arms down. In how many phases. If they have thought about it ever ? What are their future plans, how are they going to help in the election for constituent assembly. what about their participation. You see we don’t know anything, we can only assume. And that is scary. If their intention is good, they shouldn’t be scared to make it public. People want a lot of answers from them you know.
I don’t why leaders are hanky panky. If constitutional assembly is only solution for peace process. why leaders gone out of track just for chairs.
War doesn’t determine who’s right. War only determines who’s
left”.
So peace first…….
Hari Pundit buddy (sorry, couldn’t resist), you have made some good points and I would only add some thoughts: It’s not clear to me either that the Maoist leadership is in full control of the movement. Prachanda has made guarantees in the past that were immediately broken, and he is too smart a guy to intentionaly squander credibility for no gain. There is no one authority to negotiate with the Maoists as I see it. There is no unity of purpose to oppose the Maoists. Getting that unity of purpose by whatever means should be everyone’s number one priority. The Maoists will take immediate and relentless advantage of disarray on the other side. It is eerily similar to the Prithvi Narayan Shah campaign for the Kathmandu Valley when the Malla Kings were fighting amonst themselves. We seem to be repeating that self destructive strategy today.
Hari:
I didn’t do it as a sgin of disrespect but rather it was out of camaraderie. However, I will be more careful while addressing you in the future.
Bideshi:
The way I see even after the Maoist come to the political arena there is be a faction that will continue with the military campaign. The Maoist have indoctrinated many young men and women with an unrealistic dream… for them reaching a political settlement will not satisfy their hopes. However, so long as the main Maoists come and lay down their arms it will be a good start.
I believe that Prachanda is well aware that there is no military solution and THE only way to achieve their aims is through legitimate political means. Like you suggested he is not stupid!
This is the problem with some Nepali intelligenstia. Just because someone tags a Ph D behind their name, they automatically become a specialist in that field. Mr. Siwakoti seems to have dabbled way too long in the INGO field driving his SUV and too busy getting int’l funding. He may as well have copied his proposals from UNHCR…
Mr. Siwakoti how in the hell you are SILENT on the Maoists? Your agenda is one sided,lacks common sense and is self-destructive to the nation. How can you expect the army and the police to go back to the barracks yet not have the Maoists lay down their weapons?
How will Nepal conduct a free and fair election without Maoists laying down their weapons? Come on, let’s be realistic.
You call for prosecuting the human rights violeters, yet, you are do not say anything about Maoist atrocities and violations… Are we going to prosecute only the security forces and let the Maoists roam free?
You advocate for the release of Maoist prisoners, yet, you say nothing about the prisoners held by Maoists.
Come on Gopal, wake up and smell the coffee. If you are the Pres of INHURED Nepal as written, then, the view you express should have common sense, and should be balanced and logical. However, you are free to express your opinion as an invidual but please, not a Pres of NGO whose ultimate goal is to serve the people.
Freedom of speech does not guarantee your right to yell fire at a crowded cinema hall though…
sn singh:
Please could you email him what you have written here?
His email is on the article I believe?
In the long run,the only way the maoists will join the democratic process is if the demand to totally exclude a monarch, constitutional or otherwise, is adhered to. They have said it time and time again. Read their writings, including what Prachanda said in Feb. with his interview with the BBC. As long as the King has even a ceremonial role in Nepal, there will always be a threat to democracy, constitution or not, and the threat of Paras coming to power. That fear alone (whether Paras is
merely a ceremonial monarch or not) would make me think you would want to get rid of the monarchy entirely. the question is, will the king go lightly? I seriously doubt it
Shadowrati:
Errr … actually in the BBC interview the Prachanda said that they would even accept a active monarchy if the CA decided so.
Pundit,
Actually we should be cautious than overjoyed at the maoist gesture. Yes, we can get Prachanda to the mainstream but how are we going to ensure that each and every maoist cadre comes with him?
I haven’t been articulate on this point as I am devoid of the information in this regard but from what I have heard and read, the local cadres have a considerable influence in the local decision making process.
Hence, one should not be shocked if guerilla fighting continues even after the success of apparent peace process, in a small scale though. This might mean a perpetuation of domestic violence. To conclude, Prachanda is something but he is not everything about maoists.
Hari:
If you read my post above that is excatly what I have said. There will definetly be cadres who will never accept a political settlement. The Maoist leadership might be educated and realize the reality of the situation. However, the cadres are young men and women who have been indoctrinated and deceived into seeing this dream and for them a political settlement is not going to satisfy their aspirations.
So yes there will be some faction always fighting… however, we will just have to worry about that when the time is right. For now we have to get the main Maoist wing led by Prachanda and Baburam to come in.
Also Hari remember that Prachanda and Baburam are responsible for long term strategic organization, getting support from India etc. The Cadres themslves might not have the same capability without the top leadership. Of course this is all just speculation but that’s what I think …
I get amazed at all these people who call for a rush to have a CA.
In the andolan I saw many women participate. I don’t see any representation of women in the cabinet, and there is even talk That the Dpy. Speaker Yadav may be taken out of her post, instead of making her speaker which is only natural. How can these people talk of democracy when in fact all any of the factions want is power. After great participation by women in the movement they have probably been asked to go back to their regular jobs and household duties.
And here we have Dr.’s calling for a CA in a maximum of 15 months and some saying 6 months! It looks like chasing power not creating democracy to me.
I strongly advocate that the political parties should not get more than 50% stakes in the CA, the rest has to go to women, janjatis, dalits and other minority and supressed groups. Otherwise, all it will achieve is power to the same while effectively ignoring 50% of our population (women)leave alone the minotirites within.
In the 1960’s all over Europe and America there was a great women’s movement whereby they demanded equality and not just participation when it suited the men. With the introduction of the birth control pill this provided great freedomm to the women, who demanded that they no longer wished to go back into their kitchens but wanted to participate in democracy and institution building.
It is natural that every 10 years or so nations face a huge population rise in youth , this is a natural cycle, and when there is less employment to go with the high density in the youth population some sort of unrest or revolution will come about. It is high time that govterments address problems of unemployment and democracy as opposed to power.
And it is way past it’s sell by date that women should be included in not just andolans but in the process of nation building, then we can claim to be heading in the correct path to democracy.
I don’t know where this gentleman got PhD from. Probably like KG got his honorary from a Russian Univ!!! You must have felt great when you received Mahendra Vidya Bhusan from King… Having said that, this gentleman has the history of antidevelopment activities like protesting Kali Gandaki, Arun III, etc. In one instances, the people of Kali Gandaki region about to feed him green grasses for his role in antidevelopment activities or protesting for Kali Gandaki Power Project. People may verify this… Or the author may defend here.
Yes, this Dr. has a dubious past! And his motives were always mysterious to common Nepalis!!
At the end of the article, this is the introduction about Dr. Shivakoti:
“Siwakoti is the President of INHURED International, a human rights organization based in Lalitpur, Nepal. He could be contacted at ceasefire_nepal@yahoo.com. INHURED International advocates for zero tolerance to impunity!”
Look at his e-mail. It is like a pre-paid phone card where u can dispose after use. Yes, as someone said…very dubious personality.
Even a personality like Manjushree Thapa is grilled here, it is so easy to grill “Chintan” ji….
Gentalmen:
Why don’t you all send the man an email and let him know your feelings… I doubt he reads this blog!
Dr. Siwakoti’s approach is surely flawed when he refuses to address Maoists atrocities. At the same time some of you have supported him citing pragmatic reasons that Maoists probably will not relent if we took action against them. So its a case of having the cake and eating it too. My opinion is – we can do both.
If we choose to overlook Maoists atrocities, we will create a monster. They must be brought to their knees before the people. For this, SPA will need to display lots of guts. Right now the world is with SPA. SPA must use this to their advantage to neutralise Maoists and stop them from thinking they are above everyone. SPA seems to be anxious to please Maoists which is also coz of the pressure people have put in them to find a peace solution. However, they must be strong and visionary. They must use the international support they have to find a way to effectively check Maoists.
Otherwise autocracy in Nepal will only change hands – from KG to Maoists.
And I believe we the people need to put this message across to SPA leaders. Let us also not put them on pressure least they get tempted to adopt a quick fix solution.
In defense of Dr. Siwakoti: Please do not mistake this man for Gopal “Chintan” Siwakoti, another human rights activist of the same name, but with a different past. “Chintan” works with water, gurkhas and other delicious topics that make him a good living. This Siwakoti, as far as I know, does human rights.
Also, its really not appropriate for all these North America and Europe based intelligensia to criticize a man who has clearly committed himself to Nepal, and stuck it out throughout the civil crisis. Human rights activists, inspite of their flaws, and their biases, have been a prescence that have helped to mitigate some of the violence in Nepal.
Seriously, I think all you virtual nation-builders are jealous. It is clear to one and all that not only is Dr. Siwakoti in a position to make his voice heard and do some good, but also he’s thought about this a lot deeper and harder than all of you put together.
Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah!
Freedom –
You are free to defend Dr. Siwakoti. All of us also realise that he must have contributed a lot to our country (we need people like him). But this is a constructive debate going on here. So please do not condemn us like we were a bunch of no-gooders
Patriot: I just felt that a defense of Dr. Siwakoti was needed, after everybody was bashing him about his Ph.D. This man stayed behind in Nepal when all the other human rights activists were fleeing the country after the King’s takeover – inpsite of threats to his personal safety.
A bunch of no-gooders? Sorry if I implied that. I try to remain civil to my fullest extent, and am all for contructive debate and dialogue.