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Asian Centre for Human Rights
Asian Centre For Human Rights BRIEFING PAPERS ON NEPAL ISSUE No. 3 Embargoed for : 1 September, 2009 Madhes: The challenges and opportunities for a stable Nepal 1. Introduction dispensation. The Sadbhavana Party continues to occupy one ministerial portfolio. One of the least reported, but most significant changes in Nepali politics since the 2006 People’s Movement is the These three Madhesi parties were critical in helping Madhav emergence of the ‘Madhes’ as a political force. With the Nepal form a majority government. Even now, if two of opening of the democratic space, the Madhesis, who largely these parties withdraw support, the coalition runs the risk but not exclusively live in the southern plains and constitute of losing the confidence vote on the floor of the house.6 33 percent of the population1, asserted themselves. The Madhes speak languages like Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, All these parties have come together on an anti-Maoist Hindi and Urdu2 and have extensive cross-border ties with plank, sharing the belief that the Maoists must be stopped India3. They challenged the hill-centric notion of Nepali in their quest for ‘total state capture’. They have termed the nationalism and staked claim for greater representation in alliance as a broader democratic alliance. But it is riddled the state structure.4 with internal contradictions. After a period of two and a half volatile years which IN THIS ISSUE has seen the repeated formation and fragmentation 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................... 1 of Madhesi parties, the proliferation of militant armed groups in the Tarai, and reluctant measures by 2. THE ISSUES IN MAHDES ..................................... -
India Strategic Review April 2021
INDIA STRATEGIC REVIEW APRIL 2021 Volume II, Issue 4 | April 2021 Delhi Policy Group Core 5A, 1st Floor, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 www.delhipolicygroup.org DPG India Strategic Review Vol. II, Issue 4 April 2021 ABOUT US Founded in 1994, the Delhi Policy Group (DPG) is among India’s oldest think tanks with its primary focus on strategic and international issues of critical national interest. DPG is a non-partisan institution and is independently funded by a non-profit Trust. Over past decades, DPG has established itself in both domestic and international circles and is widely recognised today among the top security think tanks of India and of Asia’s major powers. Since 2016, in keeping with India’s increasing global profile, DPG has expanded its focus areas to include India’s regional and global role and its policies in the Indo-Pacific. In a realist environment, DPG remains mindful of the need to align India’s ambitions with matching strategies and capabilities, from diplomatic initiatives to security policy and military modernisation. At a time of disruptive change in the global order, DPG aims to deliver research based, relevant, reliable and realist policy perspectives to an actively engaged public, both at home and abroad. DPG is deeply committed to the growth of India’s national power and purpose, the security and prosperity of the people of India and India’s contributions to the global public good. We remain firmly anchored within these foundational principles which have defined DPG since its inception. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Delhi Policy Group as an Institution. -
Mise En Page 1
ASIA PACIFIC NEPAL FEDERAL COUNTRY BASIC SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS INCOME GROUP: LOW INCOME LOCAL CURRENCY: NEPALESE RUPEE (NPR) POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHY ECONOMIC DATA Area: 147 180 km 2 GDP: 79 billion (current PPP international dollars), 2 697 dollars per inhabitant (2017) Population: 29.305 million inhabitants (2017), an increase of 1.2% Real GDP growth: 7.5 % (2017 vs 2016) per year (2010-2015) Unemployment rate: 2.7 % (2017) Density: 199 inhabitants / km 2 Foreign direct investment, net inflows (FDI): 196 (BoP, current USD millions, 2017) Urban population: 19.3 % of national population Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF): 34% of GDP (2017) Urban population growth: 3.2 % (2017 vs 2016) HDI: 0.574 (medium), ranking 149 (2017) Capital city: Kathmandu (4.5 % of national population) Poverty rate: 15% (2010) MAIN FEATURES OF THE MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK Following the end in 2006 of a decade-long civil war, Nepal’s governance framework is currently in the transition from being a Monarchy to a multiparty democratic republic. With the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2015, Nepal moved from a unitary form of government to a federal one with a strong focus on decentralization based on “cooperative federalism”. The new federation has three tiers of government, namely federal, state and local, whereby powers shall be exercised pursuant to the Constitution and the state laws. The Constitution has assigned both exclusive and concurrent powers, to be jointly exercised by the federal and the state levels or jointly by all three tiers of government. The jurisdiction of the local governments is outlined under Schedule 8 of the Constitution, which establishes that local governments are responsible for development activities and for mobilizing the necessary resources to carry out such activities. -
Reacting to Donald Trump's Challenge
centro studi per i popoli extra-europei “cesare bonacossa” - università di pavia The Journal of the Italian think tank on Asia founded by Giorgio Borsa in 1989 Vol. XXIX / 2018 Reacting to Donald Trump’s Challenge Edited by Michelguglielmo Torri Nicola Mocci viella centro studi per i popoli extra-europei “cesare bonacossa” - università di pavia ASIA MAIOR The Journal of the Italian think tank on Asia founded by Giorgio Borsa in 1989 Vol. XXIX / 2018 Reacting to Donald Trump’s Challenge Edited by Michelguglielmo Torri and Nicola Mocci viella Asia Maior. The Journal of the Italian Think Tank on Asia founded by Giorgio Borsa in 1989. Copyright © 2019 - Viella s.r.l. & Associazione Asia Maior ISBN 978-88-3313-241-9 (Paper) ISBN 978-88-3313-242-6 (Online) ISSN 2385-2526 (Paper) ISSN 2612-6680 (Online) Annual journal - Vol. XXIX, 2018 This journal is published jointly by the think tank Asia Maior (Associazione Asia Maior) & CSPE - Centro Studi per i Popoli extra-europei «Cesare Bonacossa», University of Pavia Asia Maior. The Journal of the Italian Think Tank on Asia founded by Giorgio Borsa in 1989 is an open-access journal, whose issues and single articles can be freely downloaded from the think tank webpage: www.asiamaior.org. Paper version Italy € 50.00 Abroad € 65.00 Subscription [email protected] www.viella.it Editorial board Editor-in-chief (direttore responsabile): Michelguglielmo Torri, University of Turin. Co-editor: Nicola Mocci, University of Sassari. associate editors: Axel Berkofsky, University of Pavia; Diego Maiorano, National University of Singapore, ISAS - Institute of South Asian Studies; Nicola Mocci, University of Sassari; Giulio Pugliese, King’s College London; Michelguglielmo Torri, University of Turin; Elena Valdameri, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - ETh Zurich; Pierluigi Valsecchi, University of Pavia. -
Nepal's Maoists: Purists Or Pragmatists?
NEPAL’S MAOISTS: PURISTS OR PRAGMATISTS? Asia Report N°132 – 18 May 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... i I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 II. THE CHANGED MAOISTS......................................................................................... 2 A. THEIR STRATEGIC WEAKNESSES...........................................................................................2 B. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR NEW LINE ................................................................................3 1. Bhattarai’s battle for change.......................................................................................4 2. A messy U-turn..........................................................................................................5 3. Teething troubles .......................................................................................................5 C. THEIR CHANGED AGENDAS ..................................................................................................6 D. RESHAPING RELATIONS AT HOME AND ABROAD...................................................................7 III. CRITICAL COMRADES .............................................................................................. 8 A. INTERNATIONAL ALLIES ........................................................................................................8 B. IDEOLOGICAL -
The Madhesi Movement in Nepal: a Study on Social, Cultural and Political Aspects, 1990- 2015
THE MADHESI MOVEMENT IN NEPAL: A STUDY ON SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS, 1990- 2015 A Dissertation Submitted To Sikkim University In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Philosophy By Anne Mary Gurung DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES February, 2017 DECLARATION I, Anne Mary Gurung, do hereby declare that the subject matter of this dissertation is the record of the work done by me, that the contents of this dissertation did not form the basis of the award of any previous degree to me or to the best of my knowledge to anybody else, and that the dissertation has not been submitted by me for any research degree in any other university/ institute. The dissertation has been checked by using URKUND and has been found within limits as per plagiarism policy and instructions issued from time to time. This dissertation is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy in the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, Sikkim University. Name: Anne Mary Gurung Registration Number: 15/M.Phil/PSC/01 We recommend that this dissertation be placed before the examiners for evaluation. Durga Prasad Chhetri Swastika Pradhan Head of the Department Supervisor CERTIFICATE This to certify that the dissertation entitled, “The Madhesi Movement in Nepal: A Study on Social, Cultural and Political Aspects, 1990-2015” submitted to Sikkim University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Political Science is the result of bonafide research work carried out by Ms. -
Nepal, November 2005
Library of Congress – Federal Research Division Country Profile: Nepal, November 2005 COUNTRY PROFILE: NEPAL November 2005 COUNTRY Formal Name: Kingdom of Nepal (“Nepal Adhirajya” in Nepali). Short Form: Nepal. Term for Citizen(s): Nepalese. Click to Enlarge Image Capital: Kathmandu. Major Cities: According to the 2001 census, only Kathmandu had a population of more than 500,000. The only other cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants were Biratnagar, Birgunj, Lalitpur, and Pokhara. Independence: In 1768 Prithvi Narayan Shah unified a number of states in the Kathmandu Valley under the Kingdom of Gorkha. Nepal recognizes National Unity Day (January 11) to commemorate this achievement. Public Holidays: Numerous holidays and religious festivals are observed in particular regions and by particular religions. Holiday dates also may vary by year and locality as a result of the multiple calendars in use—including two solar and three lunar calendars—and different astrological calculations by religious authorities. In fact, holidays may not be observed if religious authorities deem the date to be inauspicious for a specific year. The following holidays are observed nationwide: Sahid Diwash (Martyrs’ Day; movable date in January); National Unity Day and birthday of Prithvi Narayan Shah (January 11); Maha Shiva Ratri (Great Shiva’s Night, movable date in February or March); Rashtriya Prajatantra Diwash (National Democracy Day, movable date in February); Falgu Purnima, or Holi (movable date in February or March); Ram Nawami (Rama’s Birthday, movable date in March or April); Nepali New Year (movable date in April); Buddha’s Birthday (movable date in April or May); King Gyanendra’s Birthday (July 7); Janai Purnima (Sacred Thread Ceremony, movable date in August); Children’s Day (movable date in August); Dashain (Durga Puja Festival, movable set of five days over a 15-day period in September or October); Diwali/Tihar (Festival of Lights and Laxmi Puja, movable set of five days in October); and Sambhidhan Diwash (Constitution Day, movable date in November). -
NEPAL: Preparing the Secondary Towns Integrated Urban
Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report Project Number: 36188 November 2008 NEPAL: Preparing the Secondary Towns Integrated Urban Environmental Improvement Project (Financed by the: Japan Special Fund and the Netherlands Trust Fund for the Water Financing Partnership Facility) Prepared by: Padeco Co. Ltd. in association with Metcon Consultants, Nepal Tokyo, Japan For Department of Urban Development and Building Construction This consultant’s report does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB or the Government concerned, and ADB and the Government cannot be held liable for its contents. (For project preparatory technical assistance: All the views expressed herein may not be incorporated into the proposed project’s design. TA 7182-NEP PREPARING THE SECONDARY TOWNS INTEGRATED URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Volume 1: MAIN REPORT in association with KNOWLEDGE SUMMARY 1 The Government and the Asian Development Bank agreed to prepare the Secondary Towns Integrated Urban Environmental Improvement Project (STIUEIP). They agreed that STIUEIP should support the goal of improved quality of life and higher economic growth in secondary towns of Nepal. The outcome of the project preparation work is a report in 19 volumes. 2 This first volume explains the rationale for the project and the selection of three towns for the project. The rationale for STIUEIP is the rapid growth of towns outside the Kathmandu valley, the service deficiencies in these towns, the deteriorating environment in them, especially the larger urban ones, the importance of urban centers to promote development in the regions of Nepal, and the Government’s commitments to devolution and inclusive development. 3 STIUEIP will support the objectives of the National Urban Policy: to develop regional economic centres, to create clean, safe and developed urban environments, and to improve urban management capacity. -
VIII. Arbitrary Arrest and Detention
HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER CHINA’S SHADOW Mistreatment of Tibetans in Nepal WATCH Under China’s Shadow Mistreatment of Tibetans in Nepal Copyright © 2014 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-62313-1135 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org MARCH 2014 978-1-62313-1135 Under China’s Shadow Mistreatment of Tibetans in Nepal Map of Nepal .................................................................................................................... i Summary ......................................................................................................................... 1 -
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No. 43 Working Papers Working Negotiating Between Unequal Neighbours: India‘s Role in Nepal‘s Recent Constitution-Making Process Prakash Bhattarai December 2018 1 Negotiating Between Unequal Neighbours: India’s Role in Nepal’s Recent Constitution-Making Process1 Prakash Bhattarai ABSTRACT Nepal’s post-conflict constitution-making process has seen the involvement of many international actors. While studies on democracy promotion, to this day, mainly focus on Western “donors” and international organizations, this paper looks at the role played by India in the complicated process of moving from a peace agreement to the establishment of an inclusive, democratic constitution in Nepal. More specifically, it is analysed how a powerful neighbouring democracy (India) participated in what is essentially a domestic negotiation process (constitution-making) with a view to influencing the emerging demo- cratic regime. In terms of the issues on the negotiation table, the analysis shows that India, in pushing for an inclusive constitution, pursued the specific agenda of supporting the inclusion of the Madheshis, an ethnic group mostly living in Nepal’s Terai region. In terms of negotiation strategies, the paper identifies four different ways in which India tried to influence the constitution: high-level dialogue; economic blockade; international coalition building; and targeted support of domestic oppositional forces in Nepal. Com- prehensive as this negotiation strategy was, it only met with partial success. Parameters that limited India’s influence included the domestic strength and legitimacy of the official Nepali position (elite alignment; popular support) as well as scepticism concerning In- dia’s role in Nepal, which was reinforced by India’s overly partisan agenda. -
Mofa BULLETIN Current Affairs
MoFA BULLETIN Current Affairs August - September 2019 |Vol 4, Issue 2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy, Planning, Development Diplomacy and Nepali Diaspora Division Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal This Bulletin is also available at Tel. 4200182-185, Fax: 4200061, 4200160 https://www.mofa.gov.np/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.mofa.gov.np Chief Patron: Inside this Issue Hon’ble Pradeep Kumar Gyawali Minister for Foreign Affairs A. Bilateral Affairs Patron: Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary B. Multilateral Affairs C. Non Resident Nepalis, Service Editorial Team Mr. Kumar Raj Kharel, Joint Secretary Delivery including Passport Mr. Bishnu Prasad Gautam, Under Secretary Mr. Vijay Kumar Raut, Section Officer and Consular Matters A. BILATERAL AFFAIRS 4. STATE COUNCILOR AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE’S 1. JAPANESE FEMALE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS NEPAL REPUBLIC OF CHINA VISITS NEPAL At the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. A delegation of Japanese female parliamentarians Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, State Councilor and Minister led by Ms. Tomomi Inada, Chief Deputy Secretary- of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China General, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Former Mr. Wang Yi paid an official visit to Nepal from 8 to 10 Minister of Defense visited Nepal on 29-31 August. The September. delegation paid courtesy calls on President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari, Foreign Minister Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, and Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ms. Tham Maya Thapa. 2. CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY VISITS THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA At the invitation of Government of the Republic of Korea, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Federal Parliament Mr. -
Statement by Prime Minister and the Leader of Nepali Delegation Right Honorable Mr. K P Sharma Oli at the General Debate Of
Statement by Prime Minister and the Leader of Nepali Delegation Right Honorable Mr. K P Sharma Oli at the General Debate of the 75th Session of United Nations General Assembly New York, 25 September 2020 Theme: -The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism - confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action Mr. President Excellencies the Heads of State and Government, Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished delegates: I extend warm greetings to you all from Nepal, the land of Gautam Buddha and Sagarmatha, also known as the Mount Everest. I join with other leaders in expressing our profound grief and agony on the loss of lives around the world due to COVID-19, including in my own country. I congratulate you, Mr. President, and other members of the Bureau on your election and assure you of Nepal’s full support. 1 The outgoing President deserves our appreciation for successfully steering the 74th Session of the Assembly. We commend the Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his tireless efforts to enable the UN deliver at this difficult time. Mr. President, We are passing through an extraordinary time. The COVID-19 pandemic is confronting us as a crisis of epic proportion. Be it the magnitude of public health crisis, impact on livelihoods and societies or global economic recession, the fallouts of the pandemic have been colossal. We support the efforts of the United Nations, World Health Organization and the World Bank Group in leading the global response to the pandemic. In particular, we commend the UN Secretary General for launching the Comprehensive Response to COVID-19.