Democracy For Nepal

Friday, October 06, 2006

Loktantrik Madhesi Samaj: Corrections To Interim Constitution

Some comments.

It is positive that the country has been described as tending towards a democratic republic.
The mention of a federal republic is positive.
Nepali has been described as the link language with the federal government. That is more specific than what you often encounter. That means the states might not have Nepali as their official language.
I keep thinking there has not been enough discussion on the language issue. This is where the country's diversity really comes full force. The issue is complex and delicate. (Language Policy)
The part on citizenship is much more clear here than in the interim constitution. This is the number one issue for the Madhesi community. We can not allow them to cut corners on this one. This issue has to be resolved once and for all.
The mention of DaMaJaMa put together is positive. We really have to forge a political coalition of those four groups. There is power in numbers.
An interim parliament that is 425 strong is too big. That is twice as big as the current parliament. That is too many unelected people.
The interim parliament should be one of eight parties.
The constituent assembly that will have one member for every 50,000 Nepali will be too big, perhaps at 540. I believe that to be the size of the Indian parliament and the US House. We need something half that size.
I am glad the proposal is to directly elect all members to the constituent assembly.
But I don't understand why there is no talk of reserved seats for the DaMaJaMa.
The 45% reservation for the DaMaJaMa and the disabled for the civil service should apply across the board. That should apply for the police, the army, the judiciary.
The reservation provision for the DaMaJaMa in the party structures is positive, but what has been suggested is not specific enough.
Adding the Speaker and the Opposition Leader to the committee that governs the army is perhaps positive.
I think the suggestion is to have a president like in India. I am thinking more along American lines.

Proposed Constitution
नेपालको अन्तरिम संविधान
Critiquing The Interim Constitution
Text Of The Interim Constitution
UML Thoughts On Interim Constitution
Critiquing The Nepali Congress Proposed Constitution
Critiquing The Maoist Proposed Constitution
Indigenous Nationalities Peace Commission Nepal: Interim Constitution
Interim Constitution Draft
Zimbabwe: The Constitution Is Faulty
Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament

In The News

Prachanda meets with PM, talks about summit meeting NepalNews The talks between the two was said to be concentrated on the summit talks and how it can be made conclusive. .... Koirala has been saying that the summit talks this time could last for a couple of days until the two sides reach common positions on key sticking points such as arms management, interim parliament and interim constitution.
PM asks for patience
US official stresses for a "meaningful peace" in Nepal
Int'l community ready to help Nepal's peace process: Oli
Military and election specialists to join the UN team
Nepal government 'surprised' with US remarks about refugee resettlement the US is ready to take up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees. ..... There are around 106,000 Bhutanese living in UNHCR-run camps in the eastern district of Jhapa and Morang. ..... The US proposal has not been received with excitement by the refugee leaders who say that their first priority should be the repatriation.
Prachanda visits Manakamana, inspects cable car system he told reporters that the technology of cable car should be expanded to other parts of the country as well. He met with devotees who had thronged at the temple.
UML's tea reception today, NC to host it tomorrow
PM Koirala discusses Congress unification with KP Bhattarai
RPP leaders come down hard against government Immediately after the incident, the villagers had captured two gunmen and beat them to death. According to JTMM president Jaikrishna Goit, the two gunmen killed by the villagers were Rudal Mahato, Siraha commander of JTMM, and Bihari Mahato, Siraha coordinator.

Differences persist between Maoists, Nepal Govt on arms issue The Maoists have warned of a Thai-like military coup in Nepal if the government kept up its insistence on managing the arms of the rebels before taking into account the weapons of the army.

US pressurises Maoists in Nepal BBC News, UK
US official says Nepal peace talks hold 'great promise' Monsters and Critics.com
Nepal's Maoists must change to lose US terror tag Reuters
ANALYSIS: High hopes for Nepal talks Bangkok Post
Nepal: Generous US resettlement offer may help break Bhutanese ... Reuters AlertNet, UK
US Offer To Take Refugees Could Break Bhutan-Nepal Deadlock Washington File
Nepal-Bhutan Talks Over Refugees Next Month: Oli Himalayan Times
Nepal's Development Depends On Reforms American Chronicle, CA
UN team expands in Nepal People's Daily Online, China

PM says 'Summit Talks' will be held in several rounds, assures it to be fruitful Kantipur Publications
Prachanda doubts govt intention, accuses it of deviating from 8-point pact
Nepal, Bhutan to hold talks over refugees in November
US official urges govt, Maoists to observe commitments
CPN-UML organises annual tea party
Prachanda visits Mankamana, observes cable car service
Panel to send king questions next week
Living in agony with shrapnel
Leaders optimistic about summit talks, say informal meets positive
Koirala, Bhattarai meet; agree on Congress unification
Two Tibetan refugees said to be killed in an attempt to sneak into Nepal
युवराजदम्पती गोरखामा
शिखर वार्ता तयारी गुणराज लुइँटेल ..... राजासम्बन्धी प्रश्न, हतियार तथा सैन्य व्यवस्थापन, अन्तरिम संसद् निर्माण र राज्यको पुनर्संरचना ...... ती विषयमा समाधान निस्किए अन्तरिम संविधान जारी भई मुलुकमा नयाँ परिस्थिति सिर्जना हुनेछ । ..... माओवादीका सेना र हतियार अलग गर्नुपर्छ भनी राज्यका तर्फबाट राखिएको प्रस्ताव माओवादीले मानेको छैन । 'हतियार छुटाइसकेपछि त्यो सेनै हुँदैन र हतियारबेगरको सेनालाई अस्थायी शिविरमा किन राख्नुपर्‍यो ?' भन्ने माओवादीको तर्क छ । ........ दुवै सेना क्याम्पमा बस्ने र तिनलाई संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघको 'नियन्त्रण' मा राख्न सकिने माओवादीको धारणा छ । माओवादीले आफ्नो र राज्यको दुवै सेना विघटन गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने माग छोड्न एउटा सर्त राखेको छ- दुवै सेना पुनर्संरचनाका लागि भरपर्दो आश्वासन । ...... 'हाम्रो सेनाको हतियार छुटाउने हो भने भोलि दुई सेना मिलाउने, दुवै मिलाएर सानो सेना बनाउने, दुवैका हतियार भण्डारण गर्ने -बरु हाम्रो धेरै र राज्यको सेनाको थोरै गरे पनि हुन्छ) भने समाधान निस्किन सक्छ' ...... दलहरूले अन्तरिम विधायिकामा ३ सयदेखि ३ सय २५ सम्म सदस्य राख्ने र त्यसमा २ सय ५ सदस्यबाहेक अरू माओवादीलाई स्थान दिने प्रस्ताव गरेका छन् । माओवादीले त्यस्तो संरचनामा आफू, नागरिक समाज र सात दल सबैलाई एक/एक तिहाइ हुनुपर्ने अडान राखेको छ । ......... त्यस्तै संविधानसभा निर्वाचन समानुपातिक मतका आधारमा गर्ने माओवादीको धारणा छ भने सात दल प्रत्यक्ष निर्वाचनलाई नै निरन्तरता दिर्ने पक्षमा छन् । ...... माओवादीले सामाजिक, आर्थिक, सांस्कृतिक क्षेत्रमा पुनर्संरचनाको प्रस्ताव गरेको छ । सात दल भने राज्य पुनर्संरचनाजस्ता मुद्दा संविधानसभाले टुंगो लगाउने र त्यसका लागि व्यापक गृहकार्य गर्नुपर्ने पक्षमा छन् ।
कांग्रेस वार्ता गृहकार्यमा बैठकमा अन्तरिम संविधान- विधायिका-सरकार निर्माण र हतियार व्यवस्थापनलगायतका मुद्दामा पार्टीले लिनुपर्ने अडान र सहमतिका लागि लचिलो हुनुपर्नेबारे छलफल भएको जानकारी स्रोतले दिएको छ ।
एकीकरणमा कोइराला र भट्टराई सहमत
शान्ति प्रक्रिया
मध्यमस्र्याङ्दीको अबौर्ंको बिजुली खेर जाने
दसैं अर्थात् जातीय एकता
दलहरू चियापानमा व्यस्त
समाजवादी गणतन्त्र हुनुपर्छ ः बिजुक्छे
गाउँलेमाथि सैनिक कुटपिट
गजुरेलको रिहाइ फेरि सर्‍यो
गुरुङको मृत्यु जनजाति आन्दोलनलाई धक्का’
सद्भावनाले मधेसीलाई पत्र पठाउने
'नागरिकताबिना लोकतन्त्र अर्थहीन' कांग्रेस -प्रजातान्त्रिक) का महामन्त्री विमलेन्द्र निधिले मधेसीलाई नागरिकताबिना लोकतन्त्रको कुनै अर्थ नरहने बताएका छन् । 'नागरिकता र लोकतन्त्र एकअर्काको पूरक हुन्, नागरिकता प्राप्तिबिना लोकतन्त्र वा गणतन्त्र बिनाकामको हुन्छ,' लोकतान्त्रिक मधेसी समाजको अन्तरक्रियामा यहाँ बिहीबार उनले भने । मुलुकमा नागरिकता समस्या समाधानका लागि गरिएका सम्पूर्ण प्रयास नियोजित तरिकाले असफल बनाइएको दाबी गर्दै उनले हाल संसद्मा प्रस्तुत नागरिकता विधेयकलाई एमालेले अपेक्षित सहयोग नगरेको आरोप लगाए । ...... समानुपातिक र समावेशीकरणको नारा लगाउने सञ्चारमाध्यमले समेत मधेसी समस्यालाई यथोचित स्थान नदिएको गुनासो गर्दै उनले प्रश्न गरे- 'सरकारको तीन अंगमा मधेसी उपेक्षित भयो, अब चौथो अंगमा उपेक्षित रहने ?' ...... भाषाविद् डा. रामअवतार यादवले मधेसीहरूको वृत्तिविकासमा नेपाली भाषाको एकाधिकार प्रमुुख बाधक रहेको दाबी गरे । 'भाषाकै कारण मधेसीहरू प्रशासनिक सेवाबाट वञ्चित रहँदै आएका छन्,' उनले भने । चिकित्सक रामकेबल साहले २३८ वर्षसम्म उपेक्षित मधेसीको समस्या सरकारले समेत समाधान नगर्ने उल्लेख गर्दै नागरिकतालगायत समस्या समाधान निम्ति राष्ट्रसंघमा जानुुपर्ने धारणा राखे । अन्तरक्रियामा समाज अध्यक्ष गंगाप्रसाद साह, रामनारायण साह, सद्भावना -आनन्दीदेवी) का केन्द्रीय सदस्य रेणुु यादवसमेतले बोलेका थिए ।
डा. हर्कलाई सम्झँदा
शान्तिका लागि नागरिक समाज

Sunday talks: PM strikes note of optimism Himalayan Times
US expert’s charges baseless: Gurung

Thursday, October 05, 2006

ANONYC: Association of Nepali Organizations in New York City

Voting Rights For Immigrants In New York City

I feel like there is a need for it, an association that appreciates the vertical implications of one person, one vote. What we have right now is skewed. We don't have much. The only umbrella organization I am aware of right now is the GFIPN, Global Federation of the Indigenous People of Nepal. (Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video, Global Federation Of Indigenous People Of Nepal)

Here is what I am looking at.

Let's say there are 40,000 Nepalis in New York City. And let's say there are 30 Nepali organizations in the city, with anywhere between 10 and 200 members each. Some organizations have membership dues, and some don't, that is their private thing.

We would form this umbrella organization. Any willing organization can become a member. The president or representative of the organization will be the designated member. Each organization will have to reveal how many members it has. You do that by submitting the names and basic contact info such as email address and/or phone number of each member. There should be a provision that each organization must elect its president at least once every two years. All members of that organization should have the option to contest and vote.

Within that umbrella organization, each member organization's weight will be directly proportional to the number of members it has. This is what I call the vertical implications of one person one vote. We have to practice internal democracy. This will also put pressure on the existing organizations to constantly expand their memberships. The umbrella organization concept will also encourage the launch of new organizations so we can get a much larger number of Nepalis to get organized.

This will make the ANONYC the official host of all the visiting Nepali dignitaries.

The KP Oli Event

We have to do this to earn voting rights in the city. If you have a green card, you should be able to vote in the city elections. Those who can vote make more money than those who can't.

Unity is strength. And the internal democracy within that unity makes sure we stay vibrant, makes sure we don't succumb to groupthink, or to the backstabbing, leg-pulling brand of politics. Let there be healthy competition. Let there be transparency.

I for one have no desire whatsoever to run for ANONYC president. Between Hamro Nepal and the Nepali Convention, my plate is full.

Race Relations And The Nepali Diaspora

Everybody is aware of it, but noone hardly talks about it. Race just so happens to be the elephant in the room. The closest thing to discussions on race I have had with Nepalis in the city is where some folks who manage to get "close" to me speak to me like they were the racist white folks from my past. That is perhaps their way of helping me feel the pain they feel through the racism they experience. Here, let me inflict some pain on you so you can feel my pain kind of deal.

I don't put up with it. I don't care if you are white or brown. You don't make racist comments and get along with me.

On the other hand, if you were to talk about issues in race relations, I am all ears. If you want to talk to me about your personal experiences, I am all ears. If you want to seek my advice, I am all ears. And I have political solutions I can suggest. You could say I have something akin to a Ph.D. in race relations. I am a doctor. I can help you. But for that you have to be willing to talk. You don't try to inflict pain on me, you seek a conversation with me. I am all ears.

There is too much internalized anger in the Nepali community. A new solidarity has to be built based on shared stories of experiences in racism. I am perfectly willing to take the lead. I am about to record in audio hours and hours of my stories. Got to vent the anger. That will be good for your emotional health.

We are in such bad shape locally, we don't even miss the fact that we can't vote. We are starving, but we are not even aware we are hungry.

Step one is to realize we are disenfranchised as a community. Step two is to earn the right to vote. Step three is empowerment through that right to vote. Step four would be to see Nepalis run for office.

Hamro Nepal
ANA Convention: My Hamro Nepal Speech
Hamro Nepal Has Three Goals
Hamro Nepal Will Not Be Registered
Hamro Nepal: Free Membership
Hamro Nepal: Membership Drive
Hamro Nepal, Latest
Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
Hamro Nepal All Set To Be Launched
Organization: Hamro Nepal

Nepali Convention Leadership Weekly Meeting
Nepali Convention: Management
Nepali Convention 2007: Venue Options: Flushing
Nepali Convention 2007 Shifted To Last Weekend In May

In The News

PM Koirala discusses Congress unification with KP Bhattarai NepalNews
Seven district HQs to be linked by roads within a year eastern districts Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur and Khotang and western districts Bajhang, Kalikot, Jajarkot and Jumla... Rs.700 million has been earmarked for the road projects launched recently following the adoption of a 20-year master plan by the ministry. The ministry has also planned to construct 27 bridges as part of the road projects linking the seven districts. ... other seven district headquarters would also have roads within 1-2 years. ... there are 14 district headquarters untouched by roads
MP Swar calls on developed countries to fulfil their commitments to LDCs

Leaders intensify efforts to reach common positions before summit talks NepalNews are yet to reach common positions on key issues. ..... On Wednesday, second-rung leaders of Nepali Congress, NC –Democratic and Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) held hours-long talks with their Maoist counterparts in Hyatt Hotel in Kathmandu. .....
Deuba meets with Koirala
Judges suspend their national conference
Law minister addresses UN General Assembly

Maoists continuing abductions: NHRC NepalNews the rebels abducted 11 persons from different places in the last two weeks. Of them, three persons still remain in their control.
Signing of Nepal-India Extradition Treaty deferred due to ‘Maoist objection’ the Maoist demand that no major treaties be signed with foreign countries before the summit talks. .... the new treaty does not allow - as feared by many in Nepal - Indian security officials to come into Nepal and apprehend anybody wanted by them.
US ready to 'absorb' up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal

Prachanda accuses govt of delaying peace talks

Prachanda warns of capital-centered 'new revolution' Kantipur Publications

In Nepal, time to check the dangerous drift The Hindu a needless controversy over the disposition of Maoist arms. ..... insisting on the surrender of arms before a political settlement was like putting the cart before the horse ....... the old order and its backers have begun reasserting themselves. ...... Also involved in this anti-Maoist scare campaign are Army officers who have not yet reconciled themselves to the loss of the "Royal" prefix from the name of the Nepal Army. ...... Nowhere do the letters speak of decommissioning. ..... the dangerous drift that has set in on the formation of an interim government. ...... Washington has muddied the waters with its strident anti-Maoist campaign

Deuba stresses on homework for Congress unity NepalNews a lot of technical homework to be carried out before the two Congress parties can unite. ..... "There are 75 districts and in each district there are district presidents and secretaries. Likewise, there are 205 constituencies and in each of those places we have party secretaries. Same is the case with 58 municipalities and thousands of Village Development Committees," Deuba said referring to the huge organization restructuring that would be needed for completing the unity of two Congress parties.
Oli to return home on October 6
PM Koirala returns to Kathmandu
US ready to 'absorb' up to 60,000 Bhutanese refugees from Nepal
Prachanda accuses govt of delaying peace talks accused the SPA government of delaying the peace talks thereby giving chance to regressive forces and foreign powers to play into Nepal's politics. ..... Addressing a training programme for district level Maoist leaders' at Jalbire of Sindhupalchok district, Prachanda said the Maoists were preparing for a “new form of people's revolt strong enough to capture Kathmandu and the state power”. The people’s revolt will be led by local Newars, he said. ...... the Maoists would opt for a peaceful movement than to return to jungle for armed rebellion. ..... “The government is not serious about talks,” he said. ..... Prachanda returned to capital on Tuesday by a Pajero.
Gyawali to Maoists: End extortion, abduction
Nepal's Peace Process: Need to Get Back to the Basics - By Anga R. Timilsina The violation of the spirit of the ongoing peace process by continuing (if not increasing) the activities, such as use of violence against those who do not submit to them, forced donations, forced unionization campaigns, abductions, and even killings, has questioned the Maoists' true intentions. ...... there is no effective mechanism for monitoring the code of conduct and agreements that have been previously signed. ....... there is a need to form a standing peace council at district levels ..... effective peace-building requires a successful reintegration at the community level. ....... effective local governance substantially helps in bringing the rebels into the mainstream by providing a mechanism to deal with the issues related to community-based rehabilitation and reintegration, return of refugees and internally displaced persons, property rights, justice and reconciliation, healing process, and revival of essential infrastructure and services. ....... crucial that consultation, coordination and dialogue mechanisms are established at the local level ........ the lack of practical monitoring and dispute resolution mechanisms at both national and local levels. ....... he inability of the SPA to reach to common positions before going to a submit talk with the Maoists ...... There is little chance that the SPA will buy the Maoist idea for state restructuring because it is widely believed that the Maoist model of state restructuring will contribute towards the ethnic division by threatening age-old secularism and coexistence of multi-ethnicity......... the question regarding what to do with the Maoist militias is likely to be contentious. ....... Some people in the SPA are discussing to have an agreement with the Maoists that anyone who is going to be caught with weapons after the cantonment process will be charged with criminal offenses. On the other hand, the Maoists are arguing that the Armed Police Force of Nepal, a semi-military institution, should be abolished and the Maoist militias should be merged with Nepal Police before the CA elections. It should be noted that the elections will not be held in intimidation-free environment unless the issue of the Maoists militia is resolved........... a comprehensive peace agreement that will include the agreement on the interim constitution, interim parliament, arms management, and state restructuring. They will also announce the date for the CA elections. ...... the Maoists may pull out of the talks and call for mass protests. ..... if the violence breaks out during the protests, Nepal may witness the end of the peace process. If Nepal Army is mobilized to quell down the agitation, Nepal will return to a civil war. The United States, India, and other countries are likely to resume their military aid to Nepal government while the Maoists may go back to jungle and resume their guerilla war............... an agreement to delay the discussion on the state restructuring until the CA elections can not be ruled out. ...... the SPA seems to have spent very little time to do homework ...... Nepal's peace process has experienced deadlock mainly because it has been deviated from the basics of the peace process....... it is very important to have a consensus among the SPA factions before going for October 8 summit talks ........... the success of any negotiation is a matter of both psychology and pragmatism. ............. Confining the Maoist arms and army to the cantonments and Nepal Army to the barracks could reduce the fear but security can not be fully ensured without controlling Maoist militias' atrocities. ..... if both the Maoists and the government do not agree on the scheme to merge these two armies before the CA elections , the complexity will only be added to the disarmament issues. Both parties need to agree on a plan for decommissioning the Maoist arms before the CA elections........ without the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and a people-to-people reconciliation at the local level, no election can be meaningful in conflict-emerged countries. ...... establishing an effective mechanism for returning IDPs and forming a truth and justice commission in order to facilitate the reconciliation process.

King Gyanendra terms peace process as nation’s need NepalNews
Nepal’s peace process will be an example for the world, PM says
Maoists abduct former mayor
Maoist leaders busy in ‘party functions’ during Dashain we do not believe in celebrating the festival as a form of religious dogma .... we do not believe that one should wait for Dashain to meet with relatives .... his party’s intention is to keep on continuing holding summit talks until the outstanding issues like interim constitution are settled
Ten injured in clash between Dalit and ‘upper caste’ communities in Bajura
The Interim Constitution - By Prof. Andrew Arato
Girl injured in firing in Kathmandu
PM Koirala hopes successful summit talks

Maoists demand US withdraw them from terror list
Thapa leaves for New Delhi

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