THIS IS HOW NEPAL LOOKED IN 2005
War and Peace
The decade long civil war ended in 2006. The insurgents who call
themselves 'Maoists' are an indigenous movement.
During the war years, Nepal was # 1 in the world for 'disappeared', about 2/3 last seen in the custody of the 'security' forces. Both sides used food, medicine and water as weapons. There is evidence that both sides committed atrocities. Perhaps most alarming were the killings of children (165 by the army, 135 by the rebels) and the 'diappearances' of journalists and people working on human rights and the restoration of democracy. At least 13,000 died in the conflict, a majority were civilians, killed by the state. Both sides are reluctant to allow investigations into the past, so human rights abuses, disappearance and torture continue unabated.
From 2001: freedoms guaranteed by the constitution freedom of the press, opinion, privacy, ownership and assembly were denied. The king seized absolute power in February 2005 and was ousted by a popular uprising, a year later. Four million people took to the streets for three weeks, demanding sovereignty in non-violent demonstrations.in non-violent demonstrations. The security forces unleashed bullets, teargas and truncheons on the people with directions to aim for the head: 22 died, more than 5000 were injured, many with irreparable brain damage. The people did not back down. It was an exciting and terrifying time.
After the hated king was toppled an interim parliament was convened, with representatives of the seven main political parties sitting. The parties and the rebels managed to hammar out a peace agreement which mainstreamed the rebels into parliament. A national election was held in spring 2008 and a Constituent Assembly was formed. The Maoist won the greatest number (30%) of seats and the other parties holding fractions of that. The people's wish is clear: they want the change the Maoists promis, but they want the other parties to exert influence on the Maoists. The main task of the CA is to write an inclusive consitution. In the meantime, both armies are under UN supervision while they disarm and land mine removal has begun.
A high-level Nepalese inquiry has investigated human rights abuses and corruption during the king's reign. It has yet to be made public. The world human rights community insists that Nepal ratify the Rome Statute (which came out of the Nazi Holocaust and the world's wish to prevent genocide and other crimes against humanity). Ratification would bring Nepal under the purview of the International Criminal Court and would help to end the culture of impunity and its abuses widespread disappearances and torture.
There is some cautious hope, but also fear; the Maoist youth faction (YCL) continues their campaign of extortion, beatings and killings. It seems the Maoist command cannot or will not control them. Several other politically-backed militias have sprung up. There is still no rule of law.
