Thursday, December 30, 2004

An email I received today..take time to fill out a form to send to the ambassador

December 30, 2004

Raju Sharma DhakalDear Linda,

Raju Sharma Dhakal, a 17-year-old college student in Nepal, was reportedly released from prison on November 3, 2004, but was immediately re-arrested by security forces at the prison gates. His whereabouts are currently unknown and he stands at very high risk of torture or "disappearance."

Please take a moment to contact the Nepalese authorities to express concern for the safety of Raju Sharma Dhakal and urge them to immediately make his whereabouts public.
Click here to take action:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=11440

In both 2002 and 2003, Nepal recorded the highest number of "disappearances" of any country in the world. People detained by the security forces are often held in army barracks with no access to their families, lawyers or medical treatment. They also face a high risk of torture, including beatings, and are sometimes held in solitary confinement or kept blindfolded for the entire time they are in custody.

Other cases where your urgent response can make a difference:

Ecuador: Fear for safety of indigenous community leader in Amazon’s rainforest
Marlon Santi, President of the Sarayaku indigenous community in Ecuador Amazon’s rainforest and candidate to the Presidency of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), received death threats on December 21 and 22. Amnesty International is concerned for his safety as the threats were made before the CONAIE elections on December 23.
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=11439

United Arab Emirates: Two women sentenced to flogging for becoming pregnant outside marriage
Rad Zemah Sinyai Mohammed and Wasini bint Sarjan have been sentenced to flogging for becoming pregnant outside marriage by a Shari’a (Islamic law) court in the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah. Amnesty International considers the punishment of flogging to constitute cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment amounting to torture.
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=11441

Thank you for supporting Amnesty International's efforts to defend the human rights of the individuals featured in these actions.

Best wishes,

Rosa Del Angel
Web Advocacy Associate
Online Action Center
Amnesty International USA


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Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Maoists withdraw Kathmandu blockade

The Maoists have withdrawn the weeklong blockade they had imposed on various routes leading to Kathmandu with effect from Wednesday, reports said quoting Kumari Moktan, executive head of the ‘Tamang Region Autonomous Government’ of the Maoists.

The blockade has been withdrawn following requests by human rights activists, journalists, and the civil society, reports quoted Moktan as saying.

The Maoists had imposed the blockade on the ‘Tamang Autonomous Region’ declared by them, which includes nine districts including Makwanpur, Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk.

nepalnews.com Dec 29

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Six Nepalis still missing in Thailand:

At least six Nepalis are still reported missing in Thailand after Sunday’s devastating tidal waves that followed a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra's coast in Indonesia, officials said.

A body of a Nepali, identified as Krishna Adhikari of Maitidevi, has been recovered, spokesperson at the foreign ministry Durga Prasad Bhattarai told Nepalnews Wednesday afternoon.

Bhattarai added that another Nepali injured in the tidal wave identified as Rupesh Gurung of Maharajgunj- has returned to his residence in Thailand after undergoing treatment.

The spokesperson at the ministry added that the Nepali authorities stationed in Thailand were searching for the missing Nepalis in the incident. “There are reports of property damage of Nepalis as they were conducting business along the Thai coast,” He said. He did not elaborate.

There are no reports of Nepalis dead or missing in Sri-Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh, sources said.

The numbers killed by the tsunami has increased to above 60,000 with tens of thousands still missing. A U.N. health agency has warned that disease could double the toll yet again as thousands of bodies lay rotting and unidentified on lawns and streets of battered Sumatra island Wednesday, reports said.
nepalnews.com Dec 29 04
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Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Govt announces Rs 7.5 million relief to Sri Lanka

The Nepal government on Monday announced a Rs 7.5 million relief support to the government of Sri Lanka, state owned Radio Nepal said.

At least 13,000 people, including 70 foreigners have been reported killed in Sri Lanka during Sunday’s devastating tidal waves that followed a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit off Sumatra coast in Indonesia, reports citing the Sri Lankan army and Tamil rebels said. The death toll is the highest in the SAARC countries.

The death toll in tsunami waves have reached over 26,000 with 13,000, 6,600, 4,725, 860, 51, 56 and 46 people were killed respectively in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia Myanmar and Maldives. The toll is expected to rise.

In Kathmandu, Laxmi Bank handed over Nrs. 100,000 to the Sri Lankan ambassador, Monday, to aid the victims of the disaster in Sri Lanka. Laxmi bank is the technical partner of Hatton National Bank, based in Sri Lanka. The Confederation of Nepalese Industrialists (CNI) have also appealed for packed food, medicine, tents, clothes and blankets to be sent there.

Meanwhile, a mild tremor shook far western district of Bajura on Sunday evening at 7.31 p.m. The earthquake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale. nepalnews.com pd Dec 28 04

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Two sick women die due to Maoist blockade

Two women died on Monday in Dolakha while being rushed to the district hospital in the headquarters, Charikot. They were delayed in reaching the hospital due to the ‘Maoists blockade’ in the area.

According to reports, Ghanamaya Phuyal of Chyama VDC died due to excessive bleeding after delivering a baby. She died on the way while being rushed to the hospital for treatment, which was nearly 40 km away from her village. The villagers carried her, as there were no vehicular movement, including ambulances, due to the blockade.

Similarly, 29-year-old Mira Sunuwar of Hawa VDC died while being carried piggy back to the district hospital. Sunuwar was suffering from urinary problems. Kantipur daily has quoted the husband of Mira as saying that he lost his beloved due to the Maoists imposed blockade. nepalnews.com pd Dec 28 04

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Sunday, December 26, 2004

Maoists all for dictatorship of proletariat: Prachanda

The Maoists have made it clear that it is nowhere near softening its stance for what it calls the ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’.

Issuing a statement Sunday on the occasion of 112th birth anniversary of late Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung, CPN (Maoist) chairman, Prachand, said, “Our party expresses strong commitment to the idea of the dictatorship of the proletariat that had evolved during the course of the great cultural revolution initiated and led by Comrade Mao.”

Prachand’s statement somewhat contrasts the expressions of the Maoist leaders who, during the last round of peace talks with the government, had announced at several forums that they were not against the multiparty system and that they were ready to accept the existence of other political forces. Of late, the rebels have declared moral support to the street protests of four political parties - including the Nepali Congress - against ‘regression’.

In the statement the Maoist supremo also said that his party was trying to practically establish Mao’s thesis that says “political power comes from the barrel of gun” and, as part it, it was embarking on the first phase of ‘strategic retaliation’.

The rebel leader also said his party was fully committed to what he said the ‘synthesized form of Marxism, Leninism and Maoism’. nepalnews.com mbk Dec 26 04 Sphere: Related Content

Two thousand Nepali workers on the way back home

At the initiation of Amnesty International, over 1800 Nepali workers are about to return to Nepal, the Daily Times of Malaysia reported on Saturday, qouoting Dathuk Ishak Muhammad, immigration director of enforcement, Malaysia.

Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Durga Prasad Bhattarai confirmed that the Nepali workers were about to return home. He, however, said that the exact number of the workers was yet to be confirmed.

Earlier, the Malaysian government had given November 15 deadline to all illegal workers to return to their home countries which was later extended up to the end of December. Hundreds of Nepalis are still in Malaysian jails for violating immigration rules. nepalnewscom ap Dec 26 04 Sphere: Related Content

Maoists force 200 schools to close on ‘Mao Jayanti’

The Maoist rebels have forced nearly 200 schools to close in the southwestern district of Kapilvastu to observe the birth anniversary of Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, reports said.

Today marks the 111th anniversary of the birth of the late Chinese leader.

When contacted by Nepalnews, the District Education Officer (DEO) of the Kapilvastu district Dhundi Raj Aryal said that they had no formal information regarding the closure. “We have also heard rumors about the Maoists announcement (to close schools on the occasion of Mao’s birth anniversary) but schools in the headquarters and its periphery are open,” he said.

The DEO however, added that he lacked knowledge regarding schools in VDCs other than those VDCs near the district headquarters on Sunday. “The right information will arrive tomorrow,” he said.

In Kapilvastu, there are altogether 73,000 students studying in the district’s 240 schools. There are approximately 5,000 students in the headquarter area, the district education office said. nepalnews.com pd Dec 26 04 Sphere: Related Content

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Maoists kill two villagers in Nawalparasi

Maoists killed two persons and injured five others in Paklihawa VDC, Nawalparasi district, for forming an anti-rebel group Friday night.

Munna Koili and Mauddin Khan of Ward No.5 of Paklihawa were killed in the Maoist attack. The villagers had fought against some 150 heavily armed Maoists for nearly an hour, reports from the district said.

In the same village, the rebels bombed the two-story house of Munna Khan, a member of the retaliation group.

A month ago, villagers of Thulo Khiratawa of the same district had killed five Maoists and had then formed retaliation groups for their security. nepalnews.com mbk Dec 25 04

Related News
- Maoists abduct 200 students in Dhangadi, kill 80-yr old in Bhojpur

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Thursday, December 23, 2004


Nepalese armed police patrol the main supply route of Nagdhunga road on the outskirts of Kathmandu December 23, 2004. Nepal's Maoist rebels said on Wednesday they would block two of the three main highways leading to the capital, raising fears of another serious disruption of supplies to Kathmandu. The rebels, fighting to topple the constitutional monarchy and establish communist rule, successfully cut off the hill-ringed capital from the rest of the country for a week in August, choking it of food and fuel supplies.


23 Dec 2004 REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar Sphere: Related Content

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Maoist murder one and loot communication equipment

Clash in Solukhumbu, one security personnel killed

At least one security personnel was killed in a clash with the Maoists near Phaplu airport in mountainous district of Solukhumbu Wednesday.

The clash erupted when the Maoists opened fire at the security troops who were patrolling the airport at Phaplu. Reports quoting security sources at Solukhumbu headquarters said the battle lasted for half an hour.

Security sources claim casualties on the Maoist side, but details are still awaited.

The Maoists have looted the communication equipment from the Phaplu airport.

Meanwhile, the southeastern cities of Biratnagar, Lahan, Itahari, Udaypur and Dharan among others have remained closed Wednesday amidst rumours that the Maoists had called for the ‘general strike’ in the area.

According to reports, local Maoist leadership have issued conflicting remarks regarding the ‘general strikes’ in the area. The Saptari Maoist secretary called the media to confirm that their party had called the strike in the area, while the leadership in Morang and Dhankuta have denied the rumors.

nepalnews.com pd Dec 22 04

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Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Terrorist tag will be removed once Maoists agree for talks: DPM

Deputy prime minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari Tuesday said the government would remove the terrorist tag and the and the red corner notice on the Maoists as soon as the rebel side agreed for dialogue.

Addressing a three-day ‘women court’ convened by some non-governmental organisations in Kathmandu, Adhikari said, “The terrorist tag and the red corner notice will be scraped once the Maoists express readiness to come to the negotiating table.”

Renewing the call for dialogue, the deputy prime minister averred that the continuation of violation was not in the best interest of the Maoists themselves. “The government has already announced that it is ready to discuss all the agendas of the Maoists. They should understand the gesture,” he further said.

Adhikari, however, declared that there was no use declaring ceasefire before the peace negotiations start.

Speaking at the program, women leaders stressed that women were the prime victims of the ongoing conflict and crime against them were on rise.
nepalnews.com mbk Dec 21 04 Sphere: Related Content

Monday, December 20, 2004

Last Updated: Sunday, 19 December, 2004, 15:09 GMT



Soldiers in Nepal
Violence has escalated ahead of a
peace talks deadline



At least 10 security personnel have died in an ambush by Maoist rebels to the north-east of the capital, Kathmandu, authorities say.

They say the rebels suffered an unknown number of casualties in the attack in Sindhupalchouk district.

A booby-trap device exploded on a section of highway as a patrol arrived and rebels then opened fire.

Over 10,000 people have died in the Maoist insurgency which aims to replace the monarchy with a communist republic.

'Grave threats'

The rebels claimed 12 security personnel were killed in Sunday's ambush, in which they said they had seized weapons and ammunition.

They said three Maoists had died during the attack on a section of the highway that links Kathmandu with Tibet.

The rebels often use explosive devices to target highway patrol teams.

At least 70 people have died in the past week as violence escalates ahead of a 13 January deadline set by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for the rebels to enter peace talks.

The rebels have rejected the deadline.

Separately, three international organisations have alleged that human rights activists in Nepal face "grave threats" from both security forces and Maoists.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists say Nepal's human rights situation is causing growing international alarm.

They say local rights activists, journalists and lawyers have been detained under anti-terrorist legislation and their offices raided, while some have been abducted, tortured, threatened or even killed.

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Maoists bomb power plant in Bajura

The Maoist rebels on Sunday night bombed the powerhouse of the Hydropower Project at Selaghat of Bajura district, cutting off power supply in the Martadi area- the district headquarters of Bajhang.

The 200 KW power plant was the only project that supplied electricity to the remote far western district of Bajhang. According to reports, electricity was supplied only in the Martadi area in the entire district.

Property worth over Rs.5 million was destroyed in the explosion. There is no report of human casualty.

Reports said that it was the second Maoist attack on the powerhouse. The Nepal Electricity Authority had repaired the powerhouse only last year after the rebels attacked and destroyed it.

nepalnews.com Dec 20 04
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Thursday, December 16, 2004

MAOISTS UPSET OVER EU STATEMENT

EU statement unexpected: Maoists

The CPN (Maoist) has expressed surprise over the ‘unexpected’ statement of the European Union at the end of a three-day visit of a high-level delegation to Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Issuing a statement today CPN (Maoist) chairman, Prachanda, said, “Our party is seriously concerned over the expressions of the EU delegation. The one-sided and irresponsible expressions against our party from a responsible international organisation like the EU were unexpected.” He insisted that the EU statement came with the suggestion of the ‘old regime’ and the army.

Organising a press conference Wednesday, the EU delegation had expressed support to the government, asking the Maoists to return to the negotiating table without preconditions and stop the human rights violations. The EU team had also asked all the constitutional forces in Nepal to rally behind the incumbent government and had said that the cases of human rights abuses by the security forces, particularly in view of the absence of a functioning parliament, were nothing surprising.

The Maoist supremo claimed that the statement of the EU came against the will of the Nepali people and the agitating political parties and it ignored the Maoist demand for a reliable international mediation as well as the demand for a constituent assembly.

“If the EU is up to forcing our party, the agitating parties and the Nepali people to surrender to the feudal dictatorial regime, its desire will never become a reality,” Prachanda said, adding that the Maoist party expected a ‘balanced and positive’ role of the EU to settle the ongoing civil war. nepalnews.com mbk Dec 16 04

Related News
- EU expresses grave concern over rights situation in Nepal

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Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Maoist claim responsibility for blast at health center

Maoist claim responsibility for blast at health center

The CPN (Maoist) has taken responsibility of the explosion at a community health center run by the Ward No. 20 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Issuing a press statement Tuesday evening, in-charge of the Eastern Central Command of the CPN (Maoist), Aditya, confirmed that the ‘sabotage’ was carried out by the Maoists. He, however, claimed that the attack was not targeted at the community health center. He also said the Maoists would continue such attacks in the future.

The rebels had exploded a bomb at the community health center located at the premises of the ward office at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, completely bringing down the two-storey building.

Medicines and other physical properties worth hundreds of thousands of rupees were destroyed in the blast. nepalnews.com mbk Dec 15 04

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Thursday, December 09, 2004

Nepal Disciplines Soldiers for Abuses

December 8, 2004, 11:16 AM EST

KATMANDU, Nepal -- The Royal Nepalese Army said Wednesday it has disciplined 105 soldiers and officers for human rights abuses, ranging from excessive use of force to murder.

The punishments handed down in the last year have ranged from warnings and suspension to jail terms -- with seven years in an army prison the maximum sentence, said army spokesman Col. Deepak Gurung.

The admission came as a team of U.N. investigators was in Nepal to investigate allegations that the military has been involved in extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture while fighting Maoist rebels.

Independent human rights groups say as many as 1,200 people have disappeared in Nepal, and that the army is largely to blame. Gurung said only 47 people are in army custody.

The Maoists, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting since 1996 to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist state. The insurgency has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Rebels walked out of peace talks and withdrew from a seven-month cease-fire in August, and local and international human rights groups have expressed concerns about a growing number of alleged abuses by both the government and the guerrillas.
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Wednesday, December 08, 2004


A Nepalese soldier on guard in the Kailali region west of the capital Kathmandu. The army says it has recovered the bodies of 32 Maoist guerrillas after a major battle in west Nepal, during which hundreds more may have died. REUTERS/Gopal Chitrakar  Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Nepal says hundreds killed in battle

Wednesday November 24, 05:56 PM


Nepal says hundreds killed in battle

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's army says it has recovered the bodies of 32 Maoist guerrillas after a major battle in west Nepal in which hundreds more may have died.

"I think that at least 300 may have been killed. This is a big success and with minimum losses on our side," Brigadier General Rajendra Thapa, chief of army operations in Kailali district, said on Wednesday where the weekend fighting took place.

Local Maoist leaders telephoned newspaper offices in the area and insisted only nine guerrillas were killed in the battle that erupted on Saturday night when rebels attacked an army patrol in heavily forested hills.

Nepal's army frequently says it has killed large number of guerrillas, even when few bodies have been found. It says the Maoists usually take away the bodies of their comrades.

Thapa said 10 soldiers were killed in the fighting in Kailali, a rebel stronghold 415 miles from Kathmandu.

The battle was the deadliest since last month, when a temporary truce between the Maoists and government forces ended during the Hindu festival of Dasai, marking the triumph of good over evil.

A local reporter who visited the site of the fighting on Wednesday said he saw half-naked bodies of suspected rebels on the mountain slopes.

"The area was stinking, bodies were rotting with flies on them. It was a disgusting scene," said Dipak Rijal, a reporter for local daily Nepal Samachar Patra.

More than 10,000 people have died since the Maoists rose in revolt in 1996, seeking to topple the constitutional monarch and set up a communist republic.

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Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Maoist Internationalist Movement (MIM)

This is a website that makes my stomach churn. Sphere: Related Content

Sunday, December 05, 2004

BBC NEWS | South Asia | 'Nepal Maoists kidnap officials'

Suspected Maoist rebels in Nepal have kidnapped a judge and a former adviser to the late king, police say.

They said Jhapa district court judge Tanka Bahadur Moktan was abducted in a village in the eastern area of Ilam.

An adviser to King Birendra Chet Bahdur Kunwa was apparently seized in another incident in south-western Nepal.

More than 8,000 people are estimated to have died since 1996 - when the Maoists took up arms intent on toppling the country's monarchy.

Mr Moktan was in his house when he was abducted on Friday afternoon, Nepal Samacharpatra newspaper reported.

Suspected Maoist rebels said they had some business with him, the newspaper quoted family sources as saying.

King Birendra's secretary was returning after attending the second World Buddhist Summit in Lumbini when he was kidnapped at Madaulia of Rupandehi district on Friday, reports said.
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Saturday, December 04, 2004

Maoist murder 6

Six security personnel killed in rebel attack

At least six security personnel were killed and and three others injured when Maoist attacked an army patrol near `Surai Naka’ along the Mahendra highway in the western district of Kapilvastu Saturday afternoon, reports said.

Security sources in nearby district of Dang said that the clash took place when the rebels attacked a troupe of security personnel that was on a regular patrol along the highway.

Security sources have claimed that there has been heavy casualty on the part of the rebels. A body of suspected rebel has been recovered from the site of incident after the clash.

The rebels reportedly retreated after a helicopter carrying security personnel reached the area, reports said.

A senior security source in Kathmandu confirmed that two-way gun battle had taken place in Surai Naka area but said details were still awaited.

Traffic has resumed along the highway, latest reports said.

The rebels have stepped up their attacks against security forces along the major highways in the country over the last few weeks. They have been erecting roadblocks at several places along the highway “to use it as a trap” against the security personnel.

Traffic along Man Khola (in Banke)-Bhuri Gaon (in Bardiya) section of the East-West highway in the mid-western region remains disrupted for nearly last two weeks, reports said. The rebels have erected a mud-and-stone barrier along the highway and have also placed explosives beneath it, reports said.

Thousands of people have been stranded due to disruption of traffic along the major highway in the country and are even forced to travel by bordering districts of India, according to reports.
nepalnews.com by Dec 04 04

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Six security personnel killed in rebel attack

Six security personnel killed in rebel attack

At least six security personnel were killed and and three others injured when Maoist rebels attacked at an army patrol near `Surai Naka’ along the Mahendra highway in the western district of Kapilvastu Saturday afternoon, reports said.

Security sources in nearby district of Dang said that the clash took place
when the rebels attacked a troupe of security personnel that was on a regular patrol along the highway.

Security sources have claimed that there has been heavy casualty on the part of the rebels. A body of suspected rebel has been recovered from the site of incident after the clash.

The rebels reportedly retreated after a helicopter carrying security personnel reached the area, reports said.

A senior security source in Kathmandu confirmed that two-way gun battle had taken place in Surai Naka area but said details were still awaited.

Traffic has resumed along the highway, latest reports said.

The rebels have stepped up their attacks against security forces along the major highways in the country over the last few weeks. They have been erecting roadblocks at several places along the highway “to use it as a trap” against the security personnel.

Traffic along Man Khola (in Banke)-Bhuri Gaon (in Bardiya) section of the
East-West highway in the mid-western region remains disrupted for nearly last two weeks, reports said. The rebels have erected a mud-and-stone barrier along the highway and have also placed explosives beneath it, reports said.

Thousands of people have been stranded due to disruption of traffic along
the major highway in the country and are even forced to travel by bordering districts of India, according to reports.

nepalnews.com by Dec 04 04

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Tuesday, November 30, 2004

2nd World Buddhist Summit gets underway

2nd World Buddhist Summit gets underway

The 2nd World Buddhist Summit kicked off amid much fanfare in Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, on Tuesday.

Over 120 delegates of 28 countries including VVIPs from eight countries including India, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Egypt have already arrived in Lumbni while all other invitees are expected to arrive by the evening, the organisers said. Over 600 people, including observers are participating at the summit.

In the morning, a prayer ceremony was organised in Lumbini in which Buddhist monks from various countries and the guests were present. A peace rally was also organised ahead of the ceremony in the morning. Three work papers were presented at the beginning of the summit.

Formal ceremony will begin from Wednesday when His Majesty King Gyanendra inaugurates the summit at 11:00 a.m., the organisers said.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Deep Kumar Upadhaya, and few other ministers and heads of security agencies have arrived in Lumbini.

Security has been beefed up in and around Lumbini and along the highways while, according to Home Minister Khadka, special arrangements have been made for the safety of the guests. He said the delegates and other guests coming to participate at the summit were being escorted to Lumbini from the Gautam Buddha Airport at Bhairahawa. nepalnews.com mbk Nov 30 04

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Saturday, November 27, 2004

Threat to Education in Nepal

Threat to Education in Nepal

By Kamala Sarup

(Kamala Sarup is a Co-Ordinator of a media watch group - The Peace Media Research Center - and can be reached at peacemedia@gmail.com )

Maoists attacks on schools exact a huge cost in terms of the damage and disruption they cause. The full impact of the war and almost total neglect of the national education system leave a staggering challenge for students. Since the Maoists started their war, schools in Nepal have been among the targets and hundred of schools in Nepal have been destroyed or abandoned. There is a general scarcity of teachers. It is only in Kathmandu that children stand a chance of receiving an education, but here too there are severe constraints. Unsurprisingly, failure rates are high, and few students even enter high school. The government has consistently spend small amount of its budget on the education sector.

Nepal's long and brutal war has robbed thausends of students and their futures. Students are paying the price of a war that has reduced the country's health, education, justice and social structures to ruins. The Maoists have been forcing students and teachers in large numbers in different parts of the country to take part in their ‘re-education’ and ‘people’s militia’ programme. They forced many teachers to resign, and those who did not comply were kidnapped and even murdered. Attacks on schools in Nepal by the Maoist is both shocking and brutal.

Many school days were lost because the Maoists forcefully closed the schools. Many parents, fearing for the safety of their children, chose not to send their children to school and confront the Maoists. Because of violence there is no teaching-learning environment. Many children in Nepal become psychologically wounded. However, it has created widespread panic among the students and their parents. Even in different parts of the country, parents have started forbidding their children from attending schools. The threat is slowly forcing the school to shut down. The Maoists even organised a cultural programme in the school. Meanwhile, the Maoists also have ordered all teachers in different part of Nepal to wear combat dresses and hand over their salaries to them.

Some schools are standing empty not because there are no students to use them, but because students are scared to go to school while other schools are closed completely. Moreover, children could no longer attend schools in areas dominated by Maoists. The human, material and financial resources have been significantly reduced, which directly affects the educational sector. Because of this, the Nepali educational system shows difficulties of access, high desertion and failure rates.

The armed conflict raging in the country since the past nine years has hit the educational sector hard. Especially after the second breakdown of the ceasefire in August, the battle ground has extended to the educational institutions. Even the education policy of the government is very poor. Thus education in the countryside has been thrown into chaos.
Strikes and closures have taken a severe toll on the number of school days available. Last year schools in urban areas functioned for about 150 school days, while in rural areas, even 100 school days are rare. Furthermore, the closure of schools because of political instability was a common phenomenon in Nepal. Schools and colleges also remained closed during transportation strikes, blockades, rallies and other strikes. With the frequent strikes disturbing the smooth running of schools and colleges in Nepal, more and more Nepalis are opting to send their children abroad for higher education.
The political violence and political instability are prompting thousands of students to head for safer, and also is threatening to destroy Nepal's educational system. A large degree of political tension in Nepal continues to revolve around questions of labels, identity, and political categorization.

Even politicians are always keen to use the teachers and students to further their own selfish motives. The educational institutions should not be used as tools to pressurise the other party to fulfil the political demands. Deuba government is ultimately responsible for security of the students, and must ensure that students and teacher are not put in the position where they are used as human shields. Deuba government must act for the protection of the students and teachers as a whole, regardless of geographical location. The indiscriminate killing of teachers and students must end. The terrible impact of the war on the country’s students is still everywhere to be seen. The government should now involve all schools, guardians, civil society, political parties, and their student unions to hold an open discussion. The Maoists should immediately stop abducting the students and no armed force should be allowed to enter schools.
Political strikes never address national problems and issues such as corruption and poverty. Although much of the political violence directed toward students happens. Students are experiencing much higher levels of violence because political violence in education has a bad legacy. The Strikes and closures cannot be a solution to the problems faced by any political or non-political organization. Past experience has revealed that such activities have further aggravated the problems at the cost of the economy.

Political violence in schools and universities began to escalate and the policy vacuum surrounding the issue must be addressed. Political violence violates student's human rights and has been condemned by international and regional human rights treaties and national legislation. Political violence also damages student's physical and psychological health and makes it more difficult for them to deal in a positive way with their life. This would be a tragedy for all of us, since, as we have learned, student’s security is tied to national security. Even recently a joint press statement issued by the donor agencies said they were gravely concerned over the interruption of school education and undermining of the future of Nepal's children. The statement has urged the Maoists and concerned parties to abstain from rampant mobilization of children and teachers for political purposes and intimidating interference and harassment. The donors have also called on the Maoists to commit themselves to respect the schools as 'Zone of Peace.' School education, as a basic right, must be declared a zone of peace.

Our schools and colleges have become a political battlefield. It is time to take a serious look at what the real impact of such strikes, closures or blockades on the economy is?. This is a very important issue because educational institutions are suppose to be safe places of growth and learning. Without this commitment, much of what has been achieved may be lost.
Education institutions are places where students learn values, as well as the information and skills they need to pass exams. It is the government’s responsibility to provide security to the students. In the past year alone, the Maoists have torched and destroyed at least 41 educational establishments. A disturbed academic environment for one year can retard the future of a student by ten years.

Lack of adequate and proper education certainly is one of the things that are fueling Nepal's plight. Government does not spend nearly enough on education, despite the fact that millions are in need. Even most of the schools lack toilets while many of them are deprived of drinking water. Most of the school buildings are old and often water oozes from roofs during rainy season, hampering the studies of the students. Yet another problem the students are facing in remote parts of the district is considerably long distance they have to cover to reach school. On the other side, the government schools have not been able to find adequate teachers to run the schools even as the new academic session is beginning next month.
Fortunately or unfortunately, even after pursuing democracy, Nepal has not yet overcome the social, economic, political and environmental crisis prevailing in the country. All the political parties talk on value based politics, but they hardly talk how to achieve it.
Nepal's political parties and leaders appear incapable of solving national problems. More than that, they have not even begun to identify the issues and problems to be addressed.

Deuba government should know that military solution does not seem feasible, new avenues must be explored, in consultation with civil society and the international community, to create and maintain a lasting peace as soon as possible. Today's children are tomorrow's future, so they ought to be able to go to school without fear. They need to argue with pens rather than with guns. Sphere: Related Content

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Deadline for Nepal Maoist rebels

Deadline for Nepal Maoist rebels
By Sushil Sharma
BBC correspondent, Kathmandu

Nepal rebels
The rebels have rejected previous appeals by Mr Deuba
Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has given a two month deadline to the Maoist rebels to begin peace talks.

Mr Deuba says the government is ready to discuss all issues.

He also appeared to suggest that the government may discuss a key rebel demand to elect a constituent assembly to draw up a new constitution.

An earlier round of peace talks between the Maoists and the government collapsed last year over the rebel demand for a new constitution.

Prime Minister Deuba issued the deadline after a marathon meeting of a high-level peace panel, comprising of top leaders of the governing four-party coalition.

He said the government would wait until 13 January for the rebels to return to the negotiating table.

Mr Deuba also said the government would no longer label the rebel negotiators "terrorists" and would guarantee their safety.

But he added that if the rebels ignored the deadline the government would step up a security offensive and go ahead with fresh parliamentary elections.

Appeals ignored

King Gyanendra appointed Mr Deuba prime minister last June with a twin mandate of restoring peace and holding national elections by April next year.

The prime minister has issued several appeals to the Maoists but they have been ignored.

His latest appeal follows an escalation in violence across the country.

Several dozen rebels, members of the security forces and civilians have died in recent weeks, raising the toll of those killed in the nine-year-old insurgency to more than 10,000.

The Maoists have been refusing to negotiate with the government, saying that it does not have full executive powers.

They have insisted on direct talks with the king who, they say, wields control over the administration and the army.

The rebels have also rejected the planned national elections.

Instead, they are pushing for elections to vote in a constituent assembly to draw up a new constitution which, they believe, will pave the way for Nepal becoming a communist republic.

The government wants the present constitution - which guarantees a constitutional monarchy in a multi-party democracy - to continue.
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Saturday, November 20, 2004

Maoists are full of self-absorbed CRAP

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (right) has urged a halt to international aid for Nepal(AFP/File/Min Bajracharya)

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal (right) has urged a halt to international aid for Nepal(AFP/File/Min Bajracharya)

KATHMANDU (AFP) - The leader of Nepal's Maoist rebels urged a halt to international aid for one of the world's poorest nations to pressure the government into peace talks leading to a new constitution.

The Maoists are fighting to topple the constitutional monarchy established in 1990 in a conflict that has claimed more than 10,000 lives since 1996.

"We appeal to the international community to help realize the aspirations of peace and democracy of the Nepalese people by halting all economic, political, military and diplomatic assistance to Nepal," Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda (Fiery One), said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

In 2004 Nepal received nearly 280 million dollars in economic aid, about 60 percent of its development budget, from donors including the World Bank (news - web sites), Asian Development Bank and the United States, according to the country's National Planning Commission.

Japan is one of Nepal's biggest aid donors followed by Britain and Germany, but Tokyo's embassy was not aware of any appeal to halt aid.

"Our embassy has so far not received any appeals from the Maoists to halt all sorts of aid to Nepal," an embassy official said.

Prachanda also accused the government of failing to hold serious talks for a political settlement. Two rounds of peace talks in the past year have failed with the latest cease-fire ending in October and the government rejecting a rebel demand for UN mediation.

"During the present civil war, senior officials of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) and royalists have been amassing huge property through commissions and they are intensifying war," Prachanda said.

Maoists began a two-day blockade of traffic Tuesday on a major road to and from capital Kathmandu in protest at the killing of four rebels.

The roadblock is centered where the rebels were killed last week in the district capital of Dhading, 90 kilometers (50 miles) west of the capital on the road leading to the tourist destination of Pokharan.

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SUFFERING OF THE CHILDREN OF NEPAL

UNICEF urges for end to victimisation of children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged all Nepali people to act seriously to protect children from being victimised in the ongoing conflict.

In a statement issued on the occasion of the 15th International Child Rights Day, Dr Suomi Sakai, representative of the UNICEF Nepal Country Office said, “"Childhood should be a time of growth, of playing, learning, exploring and developing. It should not be a time of hunger, illness or ignorance,” adding, “And, a child does not stop being a child just because she is married off at 12 and a mother at 13. She is still a child, as is a boy or girl recruited as a combatant.

Such children, according to her, are children at high risk, and thus in even greater need of care and support.

Describing the present conflict situation in Nepal as a battle in an orchard Suomi questioned, "Who is tending to the trees? Who is making sure they have enough water, nourishment, and protection from harm? For the buds on the trees are the fruit in the making, just as children are adults in the making. The cost of this conflict is becoming a bitter harvest – it is damaging our children, the future of the country."

Giving reference of a stanza Do not pluck buds, do not tear them apart, of a poem written by great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota, she said, "I cannot think that 55 years after he died in such pain and poverty, he would be happy to see the damage that this conflict between adults is inflicting on the children (buds) of Nepal."

November 20 marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by United Nations general Assembly.

Nepal has already expressed its commitments to international child rights norms by ratifying the UN Convention in 1990.

Child rights activists have been expressing concern over the growing victimisation of children in the conflict, urging both the government and the rebels not to violate rights of the children. nepalnews.com rh Nov 20 04

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Friday, November 19, 2004

Communists in Nepal do NOT demonstrate leadership qualities!

Maoists set ablaze passenger buses

A group of Maoist rebels has set ablaze a passenger bus of Danphe Yatayat at Labali along the Taulihawa-Lumbini road at around 7 am Friday morning, reports said.

The bus was coming from Taulihawa, a bordering town in western Terai, to Kathmandu. The rebels asked all the passengers to get down the bus, doused it with kerosene and set it on fire, reports added quoting eyewitnesses.

Similarly, suspected Maoist rebels set ablaze a passenger bus of the state-owned Sajha Yatayat in Rupandehi district and another Sajha bus in Nawalparasi district Friday morning. nepalnews.com amt Nov 19 04

AT LEAST THEY DIDN'T KILL PASSENGERS AS IN FEBRUARY!

Maoists Sunday opened fire on a passenger bus in Thapa chowk of Jhapa district killing two people, a report said Monday.

According to Spacetime dainik, a nine year old school girl Gayetri Niraula was one of the two killed. Another two people were seriously injured in the incident, the report added.
nepalnews.com Feb 16 04


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Monday, November 01, 2004

AP Wire | 11/01/2004 | Gunman Seize a Nepalese, an American, 4 Iraqis in Iraq

Posted on Mon, Nov. 01, 2004

MARIAM FAM

Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Gunmen stormed the compound of a Saudi company in a fashionable Baghdad neighborhood Monday, seizing an American, a Nepalese and four Iraqis after a gunbattle in which a guard and one of the assailants were killed, police said.

The American, who was not identified, was the 12th U.S. citizen reported kidnapped or missing in Iraq. He was grabbed about 500 yards from the house where two Americans and a Briton were kidnapped last month. All three were beheaded.

The dramatic abduction occurred two days after the decapitated body of Japanese backpacker Shosei Koda was found in western Baghdad. The al-Qaida-affiliated movement of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for his kidnapping.

Police Lt. Col. Maan Khalaf said the heavily armed kidnappers arrived in three cars around iftar, the traditional sunset meal which Muslims eat to break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

The kidnappers stormed the two-story house, which is surrounded by an outer wall with iron bars, in a hail of gunfire and forced the victims to leave with them. There were conflicting reports on the number taken but Interior Ministry spokesman Col. Adnan Abdul-Rahman said they were one American, a Nepalese and four Iraqis.

"We heard gunfire. I went outside to see what's going on when a man pointed a machine gun at me and said: 'Get in or else I'll shoot at you,'" said Haidar Karar, who lives nearby.

From his house, Karar saw "at least 20 attackers, some masked and some not." He said some were wearing traditional Arab robes and all were carrying automatic weapons.

More than 160 foreigners have been abducted this year by militants with political demands or by criminals seeking ransom. At least 33 captives have been killed - several of them by al-Zarqawi's group, which is believed headquartered in Fallujah.

By comparison, more than 152 Iraqis were kidnapped in October alone, the highest number recorded in a single month since the U.S. occupation began in March 2003, according to the Interior Ministry.

"This is the fate of whoever is aiding or supporting the crusaders against the Muslims and mujahedeen," the group said on its Web site. It was impossible to verify the claim's authenticity.

The latest violence occurred as American troops are gearing up for a major offensive against Fallujah, the strongest bastion of Sunni insurgents and located about 40 miles west of the capital. The order to launch the assault must come from Allawi, the Iraqi prime minister, who warned Sunday that his patience with negotiations was thinning.

---

Associated Press reporter Omar Sinan contributed to this report. Sphere: Related Content

Saturday, October 30, 2004

MAOISTS KIDNAP NOT ONLY SOLDIERS, BUT ALSO YOUTHS and CIVILIANS

Maoists abducted 12 youths from Hapure, Dang district, after a mass meeting in the area on Friday. Whereabouts of the youths remain unknown.

The security forces freed five army men unhurt, abducted by Maoists this afternoon from Gaura Bazaar, Dadeldhura. The five soldiers were on their way to Daha Barrack from Kailali’s Teghari were taken hostage by Maoists at around 1:00 p.m., reports said.

Separately, in Saptari, a group of armed Maoists abducted two civilians, one from Pipra area and another from Baitawa VDC, on Friday night, reports said.


nepalnews.com mbk Oct 30 04 Sphere: Related Content

Friday, October 29, 2004

Nepalnews. com : Maoists opened fire at Security Forces at Kavre VDC in Dang bordering Pyuthan district.

Within hours of expiry of the `temporary truce' observed by both the sides, security forces and Maoist rebels clashed at Kamirechour in the mid-western district of Dang Friday afternoon, reports said.

The Maoists had announced that they would stop their armed operations for nine days during Dashain until mid-night Thursday. The government later reciprocated the move.

A security source in Dang told Nepalnews Saturday morning that a security patrol retaliated when a group of Maoists opened fire at them at Kavre VDC in Dang bordering Pyuthan district. The search operation is underway in the area, he said.

There has been no report of casualty on either side as yet.

The area is known as a stronghold of the Maoists. Reinforcement has been sent from the Royal Nepalese Army barrack at Ghorahi in Dang to the area, sources said.

Nepal Samacharpatra daily quoted sources at the RNA barrack in Tulsipur as saying that the clashes had started after the rebels attacked on security forces using a long-range weapon. There had been no reports of casualty during the four-hour clash, the report said.

The Maoists had attacked the army barrack at Ghorahi, Dang in November 2001 within days of walking off the first-ever peace talks with the government. A strategically important valley, Dang-Deukhuri is considered a gateway to remote hilly districts of Rapti Zone from where the Maoist insurgency was launched in early 1996.
nepalnews.com by Oct 30 Sphere: Related Content

Thursday, October 28, 2004

The govt will not extend `truce' with the Communist Maoists that ends today 10/28/04

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the government will not extend temporary truce that comes to an end today.

Talking to reporters at the tea reception organised by his party, Nepali Congress (Democratic) on the occasion of Bada Dashain festival Thursday afternoon, premier Deuba said there was no possibility of extending the period of 'truce' adopted by the government in response to a similar move by the Maoist.


The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had declared that it would suspend all of its armed operations for nine days (October 20 through 28) during Dashain. The government later reciprocated the move.

Responding to another question, premier Deuba said it would be good if negotiations could be held (with the rebels). If peace talks could not take place, then the government would go for (parliamentary) polls, said the premier.

"There is no question of withholding elections if the talks don't take place for next ten years," he said. The Prime Minister also said that the government would make arrangements for security during the polls. He did not elaborate.

Thousands of NC (Democratic) activists, ruling coalition members and people from various walks of life had thronged the Birendra International Convention Center to take part in the reception. Senior leaders of the CPN (UML), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Sadbhavana Party were present at the function.

Nepali Congress leader, late B. P. Koirala, had initiated the tradition of
hosting tea reception on the occasion of Bada Dashain upon his return from exile in India in 1977 with the slogan of `national unity and
reconciliation.'

Opposition Nepali Congress, however, said it would not organize the tea reception this year due to the adverse situation in the country.

A major coalition partner, CPN (UML), organised similar reception at its party headquarters at Balkhu on Tuesday.
nepalnews.com by Oct 28 04 Sphere: Related Content

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Reporters Without Borders said that more journalists were arrested in Nepal in 2003 than in any other

In its report published on Tuesday, the Paris-based organization said
security forces arrested, detained, tortured or threatened about 100 Nepali journalists last year. The Maoists murdered one journalist and threatened dozens of others for allegedly spying for the army.

According to the report, journalist Gyanendra Khadka was murdered by the Maoist rebels while pro-Maoist reporter, Binod Sajana Chaudhary, was killed by security forces in separate incidents last year. Security forces detained 36 journalists and at least 12 journalists were being held by security forces by the end of 2003, the report said. At least 51 journalists were imprisoned and five journalists were kidnapped during the year, the report said.

"It was a grim year for press freedom. Nepali journalists have been targeted as never before by the belligerents of a bloody civil war," the report added.

The report, however, noted launching of two new terrestrial broadcast TV stations, Kantipur Television and Image Channel, in the private sector as a positive development last year. The number of community radio stations in the country reached 25 including the Karnali community radio targeting people in the remote northern region. Similarly, the Maoists also launched their own station, Radio Janaganatantra Nepal (Radio Republic Nepal), in the west of the country on 7 November 2003, the report said.

In its third annual worldwide index of press freedom, the RSF said press freedom was threatened most in East Asia (North Korea, Burma, China, Vietnam and Laos) and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Iraq). The greatest press freedom was found in northern Europe (Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Norway), which, the organization said, was a haven of peace for journalists.

Predictably, Nepal has its place somewhere near bottom of the worldwide index. Out of 167 countries surveyed, Nepal has acquired the 160th position. nepalnews.com by Oct 27 04
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Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Nepalnews. com: Maoists abduct 17 year old and disrupt vehicular movement in far-western Nepal

Maoists abducted one Uddhav Bika of Dharapani, Dhaibung-4 in Rasuwa district on the day of Mahanawami-the ninth day of the Dashain festival, the daily reported. Uddhav's whereabout is still not known.

17-yr-old Uddhav's father, Chhetra Bahdur Bika has appealed the media and human rights activists to make efforts for the safe release of his son.


In what seems to be a clear defiance of their supreme leader Prachanda’s declaration of cessation of all armed activities and allow all public activities to take place smoothly during Dashain times, the Maoists have obstructed movements of vehicles in far-western Nepal.

The Maoists have obstructed vehical movement along the Dhangadhi-Dadeldhura highway by felling trees at the Goganpani Gaira section of the road on Monday Morning, Nepal Samacharpatra reported. As a result, thousands of commuters who had gone to their relatives to receive the Dashain Tika have been left stranded in the highway.

Though Dipayal-based units of security forces planned to go to the area to clear the road on Monday, they could not do so owing to the geographical difficulties, the daily said citing security sources. Security forces will be deployed in the area to clear the road on Tuesday, the newspaper added.
nepalnews.com amt Oct 26 04
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Monday, October 25, 2004


Maya Schenk, 2, from Nepal, clutches a U.S. Flag as she is guided by her adopted mother, Pamela Schenk, and adopted grandmother, Joan Schenk, both of Rochester, N.Y., before accepting her certificate of U.S. citizenship in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, Oct. 22, 2004. (AP Photo/David Duprey) Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Nepal's King Gyanendra

'End violence' plea by Nepal king

KATHMANDU: Nepal's King Gyanendra, facing a deadly Maoist revolt and sustained street protests from political parties, called yesterday for unity among all Nepalis and an end to the country's "cycle of devastation"."In order to end this cycle of devastation, all peace-loving people who have faith in multiparty democracy must unite in earnest, with the nation's well-being as the focal point," the 57-year-old monarch said in a message read over state radio to mark the Dasain festival.

Dasain celebrates the Hindu god-king Ram's victory over the demon Ravan and is widely celebrated in Nepal, the world's only officially Hindu kingdom.

"Today, our nation and people are afflicted with violence and destructive activities. Such acts must be brought to an end without any further delay and an environment of peace restored in the country," King Gyanendra said.

Gyanendra, however, didn't offer any new proposals to revive peace talks with the rebels, which collapsed in August last year. The government has repeatedly urged rebels to return to the negotiating table, but to no avail.

Since they withdrew from peace talks, the rebels have grown increasingly bold in their attacks. In August, they isolated the capital, Kathmandu, by threatening to attack vehicles, as part of a campaign to pressure the government into releasing detained insurgents.

More than 10,000 people have died in the Himalayan nation since Maoist guerillas began a violent campaign in 1996 to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

The revolt, aimed at setting up a Communist republic, has also left thousands injured, orphaned or displaced and wrecked one of the world's poorest economies by slowing foreign-funded projects and scaring away tourists.

Gyanendra, who plunged the troubled nation into political turmoil by firing elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in 2002, has faced violent street protests from four political parties represented in the parliament he disbanded that year.

In June, he reappointed Deuba but failed to coax political parties - which accuse him of overstepping his role and want an all-party government - to join the current government.

Foreign donors, including neighbouring India, the United States and Britain, have stressed the need for a common front between the king and political parties against the Maoists.

Both the government and the rebels, who agreed to a temporary festival truce until next week, are under pressure from political parties and human rights activists to extend the ceasefire and reconvene peace talks that failed in 2003.

Deuba has offered talks on several occasions but the rebels have rejected dialogue unless the United Nations was involved.

However, the rebels and government troops have agreed to a temporary truce during the Dasain festival -during which many Nepalese travel home.

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Thursday, October 21, 2004


Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer poses for a photograph with orphan babies at Maiti Nepal Rehabilitation and Orphanage Home in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Photo: NARENDRA SHRESTHA Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Army personnel rehearse for feu-de-joie programme to mark Phoolpati, the seventh day of Dashain festival at Tundikhel in Kathmandu on Wednesday.
KANTIPUR PHOTO/ POST Photo Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Seventh day of Dashain festival witnessed the Fulpati procession bearing the Royal Kalasha filled with holy water, banana stalks, jamara (sprouted barley and wheat) and sugarcane. The Kalasha is carried to the Dashain Ghar at Hanumandhoka all the way from Gorkha palace.
(Online Photo : Prakash Mathema ) Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Nepal gets draconian act during festival season

Kathmandu Nepal:

At a time when Nepal is celebrating its biggest festival of Dashain, the government has reintroduced a draconian act in an even harsher form.

The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Act, introduced three years ago to control the Maoist insurgency, authorised the security forces to detain people, suspected of being terrorists, for 90 days without trial.

At the time of its introduction, the act had been criticised by human rights activists and opposition parties who feared it would give arbitrary power to the army and create even more "disappearances".

International rights organisations say Nepal, during the course of the eight-year-old Maoist insurgency, tops the list of countries where illegal arrests, torture in custody and disappearance from custody are rampant. Though the draconian legislation expired last week, the Sher Bahadur Deuba government decided to reintroduce it as an even harsher law.


Since Nepal's parliament was dissolved in 2002 and elections put in abeyance since then, the government cannot introduce a new act. However, it circumvents the hurdle by introducing new measures as ordinances.

The expired act was given a fresh lease of life as a new ordinance, the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance.

The new ordinance empowers the army to hold any suspect in detention without a trial for one year.


The new ordinance comes even as the Supreme Court of Nepal rapped the government for not disclosing the whereabouts of people taken into custody while asking for a full disclosure.

The National Human Rights Commission, Nepal's apex rights body, sent a letter to Deuba Tuesday, expressing its dissatisfaction with the disclosures made by the government so far.

The commission says the government has made public the whereabouts of only a few when there are large numbers of people being held illegally in army barracks. The army refuses to let the commission inspect the barracks, despite pressure from international organizations.

The ordinance has been criticised by the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, an ally of the ruling coalition.


An opposition party, the Nepali Congress of former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, has threatened to make the ordinance the focal point of its anti-government campaign after the festival season ends.

The Maoists, who are fighting to overthrow monarchy and introduce a Communist republic, have announced a nine-day ceasefire from Wednesday to allow people to celebrate Dashain.

Indo-Asian News Service
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Tuesday, October 19, 2004


Mon Oct 18, 7:27 AM ET
AFP


Nepal is to suspend military action against Maoist rebels during the Hindu festival period from October 20 until November 14(AFP/File) Posted by Hello
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Nepalnews :: Maoists abduct over 50 Jana Morcha activists

Maoist communists have attacked at a rally organised by pro-left Jana Morcha Nepal (People's Front Nepal-PFN) and abducted 52 PFN activists.

According to reports, the Maoists attacked at a group of nearly 150 PFN activists at Nishi village in western district of Baglung Sunday. At least eight PFN workers were seriously injured in the attacks, said Krishna Thapa, Secretary of PFN Baglung district unit.

This is the second such attack upon Jana Morcha workers in Baglung district

The PFN workers have been facing wrath of the Maoists as they continue to expose what they call atrocities being perpetrated by the communists.

nepalnews.com by Oct 19 04 Sphere: Related Content

Monday, October 18, 2004


Nepalese people participate in a candle-light vigil for peace in the Himalayan Kingdom in Kathmandu. Nepal is to suspend military action against Maoist rebels during the Hindu festival period from October 20 until November 14, an official said. The rebels had earlier announced a similar truce.(AFP/Devendra M Singh) Posted by Hello Sphere: Related Content

Nepalnews. com Nepal to open embassy in South Korea

Minister for Labour and Transport, Raghuji Panta, who is visiting South Korea, expressed hope that the embassy would help in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.

A formal announcement to this effect is yet to be made.

Addressing a function organised in his honour by 'Dakshin Korea Prabasi Nepali Samparka Samiti', in Seoul, Minister Panta said initiative had also been taken to start direct flights between the capitals of Nepal and South Korea.

According to Monday's Nepal Samacharpatra daily, Minister Panta said the government had enforced the `lottery system' to select the trainee employees to South Korea to `avoid irregularities.'

The Nepali delegation is expected to request the South Korean government to declare Nepal as a source country for labour import and increase the quota provided to Nepal to send 'trainee employees' there, reports said.

Nepal and South Korea had embarked towards planned economic development almost simultaneously in the sixties. While South Korea has transformed itself into an industrialized country, Nepal is now known as a country exporting 'unskilled laborers.' nepalnews.com by Oct. 18 04 Sphere: Related Content

Nepalnews. com Shortage of sugar in Kathmandu

As Dashain, the greatest festival of the country, nears, residents of Kathmandu are facing acute shortage of sugar among other essential supplies.

According to reports, consumers in Kathmandu have not been able to purchase sugar at market price and are paying very high prices for it. Consumers accuse the traders for selling it only to their regular costumers and creating artificial shortage of basic commodities during the festive occasion.

However, talking to Nepalnews, Parameswor Mahaseth, general Manager of Nepal Salt Trading Corporation informed that the government was preparing to import 30,000 metric tons of sugar to meet the scarcity in Kathmandu during the festival. “Provisions were being worked out to import 12.5 metric tons of sugar instantly. Kathmanduites will not have to suffer from sugar scarcity during the festive occasion,” he said.

Shortage of other supplies kerosene, cooking fuel among others have also been reported in different parts of the country. nepalnews.com pd Oct 18 04 Sphere: Related Content

Nepali govt not to launch offensive during the festival


Dr. Mohammed Mohsin. Minister of Information and Communications

The Nepal government on Monday said it would not launch offensive against the Maoist rebels during forthcoming major festivals including Dashain.

The 15-day long festival kicked off on Friday while official holidays would start only from Wednesday (Oct. 20).

The government's response came three days after Maoist rebels announced that they would suspend their armed activities for a period of nine days (Oct. 20-28) during the festival.

The government, however, did not say when its decision would come into force.

Addressing a press meet in the capital Monday afternoon, Minister of Information and Communications and the government's spokesperson, Dr Mohammed Mohsin, said, "There will be no offensive from our side but if there is any sabotage against us and if any one tries to disrupt peace, the government will be on high alert (to maintain peace)."

Responding to a question, Dr Mohsin said the government had taken the Maoist move positively. "We call upon them to be clear," said the minister referring to Maoist activities of carrying out activities like murder, abduction and collection forced donations even during the truce.

Responding to yet another question, Dr. Mohsin said the government had received reports that the Maoists were preparing for fresh attacks. He did not elaborate but said the government could not trust on what the Maoists are saying.

Interestingly, the statement issued by the government on Monday doesn't mention anything about proposed 'cease fire.' Civil society and even a major coalition partner, CPN (UML) have been asking the government to declare 'unilateral ceasefire' to create conducive environment for peace talks.

The government's statement, however, said, "We call upon them (the Maoists) not to avoid the talks and honestly come forward for dialogue." The rebels have said they will not sit for negotiations unless the government agrees to discuss substantial issues including (holding elections to) the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. nepalnews.com by Oct 18 04

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