#339 9 - 15 March 2007 16 pages Rs 30
Weekly Internet Poll # 339 Q. How important do you think it is to address the demands of indigenous rights groups? Total votes: 3,664
Weekly Internet Poll # 340. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Do you think elections to the constituent assembly can be held in June?
THOMAS BELL Adoption from Nepal is beginning to look like On sale trafficking A NEPALI TIMES decided to adopt from his had his representative on the meetings to be. INVESTIGATION orphanage, a further donation of adoption recommendation We were not asked by the $5,000 was strongly suggested. committee and that while he birth parents or by the lawyer and n the cramped Anamnagar Although he initially insisted could not jump the queue he orphanage chairperson what our office of an adoption broker on up-front cash of a third of his could use his influence. motivation was for seeking to I and his dusty orphanage in fee, he agreed to take a cheque for We met the parents. They adopt a Nepali child, or about our Ratopul, Nepali Times this week just over half the total amount. hardly looked unable to support ability to take care of the baby. made arrangements to buy a child Immediately after we agreed to four children as is required by An international conference for adoption. pay, he said he had “just met a law. The father said he was a on adoption that begins on We posed as a British couple family from his village who political worker-turned-teacher Sunday in Kathmandu aims to wishing to adopt a Nepali child wanted to put up for adoption a and earned “72 pounds”. He spoke promote Nepal as a destination and were told that the process child the age we wanted”. Earlier, fluently in English about for adoption and make the was complicated and involved he had said it could take months choosing a bright future for his process easier. It is happening eight government offices and to find a child as young as we youngest child “because love is amidst reports of adoption rackets agencies. The broker said he were looking to adopt. not enough”, enumerated the giving Nepal a bad reputation. could take care of the entire Then came the promises of child’s many good qualities, and Our broker said the committee process for a $1,500 fee. If we “guaranteed approval” because he used phrases like “transparency”, was pushing through 25 “unfair practices” and “legal adoptions a day ahead of the relationship”. There was one conference, so parents could condition, he said, his wife “come, attend the conference, pick wanted to periodically meet the up their child, and fly away”. child. They were evasive about where they would like the Full story p12-13 2 EDITORIAL 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339
Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda Dixit Executive Editor: Anagha Neelakantan Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Rupendra Kayastha Director Sales and Marketing: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Circulation Manager: Samir Maharjan [email protected] Subscription: [email protected],5011628/29 Hatiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur [email protected] GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 The power of one If one girl could do this, imagine of the girl, and to send her to school. what governments can do This is an example of how we IN THE INTERIM have been fighting for the rights In their impatience, the Maoists entered the interim legislature n my community it is not classes, our friends got together of disadvantaged children forced without completing arms management. That created problems all surprising to find girls and and opened a 'Working Children's to work at the expense of their around. Now they are entering the interim government without I women lagging behind, Club’ to help other working education and their future. This changing their spots. especially in education. Many children in our community. We is what we were able to do with Former guerrillas will take time to adjust to parliamentary people still feel that it is a waste organised street dramas, quiz just our enthusiasm. If this is politics. A gun-toting commissar recently threatened fellow educating a girl because she will contests, cultural programs and what children could do, parliamentarians with dire consequences even as Maoist MPs on marry and go to someone else's painting competitions so governments, with all their the opposition bench (including Comrade Mahara) thumped the house. I was not sent to school as everyone would know about power and resources, should be table. Finally, it fell upon Deb Gurung to make an embarrassing a child. I was lucky that an agency discrimination between sons and able to do much more so that apology. daughters, on HIV/AIDS, the every girl and boy can go to Such shenanigans have convinced other political parties that rights of working children and school. putting arms into containers and guerrillas into cantonments isn’t GUEST COLUMN Sunita Tamang similar issues. Huge effort is needed to enough. Even after a formal renunciation of violence, the Maoists There was a girl in our bridge the gap in social beliefs, will still need to prove that they have given up killing and neighbourhood working as a economic conditions to change maiming those who don’t agree with them. The Maoists also need like UNICEF was there assisting domestic helper in the house of a people's minds on getting girls to allow the internally displaced to return home and free girls who missed out on regular deputy superintendent of police. educated. It takes much more confiscated property. school to attend catch-up classes. We suspected that she was being effort to send girls to school. In the countryside the Maoist cadres still wage psy-war by After two years of non-formal abused by her employers, because What helped me was the break I boasting they have kept most of their guns, and that if they lose education, I joined regular school one of our club members had got to attend catch-up classes, the the constituent assembly election they will go back to war. Such in grade five. I am now in grade heard screams from the house. We uniform that was provided to me rhetoric doesn’t do the Maoists any good and will boomerang 10 and in two months I will be approached the employer. Because free of cost to attend regular during elections. appearing for SLC. I go to school he was a policeman, he tried to school. Under pressure and after heated discussions at Baluwatar in the mornings and work at a scare us off. But we didn't give What would help many other this week, Pushpa Kamal Dahal met Girija Koirala to sort out factory assembling match boxes in up. We persisted and with help girls who are not as lucky as me these issues. The deck has been cleared now to include Maoist the afternoons. from others finally convinced the is for the government to ensure nominees in an interim government. This is the penultimate step While at the out-of-school policeman not to abuse the rights free education for all children, before constituent assembly elections. with the option of vocational The seven parties aren’t happy with the absence of Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai in the interim education for working children, legislature. They continue to walk free of the or children who have returned responsibilities of parliament. If the Maoists really from the conflict. All it needs a want the post of deputy premier, it would make sense little bit of effort, extra money if either one of the Big Two jumped in. That will raise and commitment in providing the profile of the Maoists’ presence in the opportunities for disadvantaged government, help instill discipline among nominees children to get educated. in parliament, and expedite the peace process. Look at me, I work in a match That government will then decide on constituent factory and today I have been able assembly elections. As we see it, a June poll will to come here and share my only benefit those who don’t want it to be free and fair feelings and experiences with and are bent upon winning it by intimidation and you all. threats. The political parties must stop grandstanding on the polls and quit blaming others for its delay. Sunita Tamang, 15, is a student at the The interim government must announce a precise Jana Bikas Secondary School in date for post-monsoon elections, work towards Biratnagar. She was in New York last normalising the tarai and ensuring the laws are in week as a panelist in the ‘Girls Speak Out’ session at the 51st Commission on place to make the electoral process more the Status of Women. Binita Shrestha, representative and fair. radio producer of ‘Saathi Sanga Manka Kura’ translated Sunita's speech at the session. Let the games begin he sudden spurt in politicking is a sign that the major actors are The politics of masks, sidestepping, feints, and gambits T readying themselves for constituent assembly elections. It will only intensify arch gadfly. In the morning, he threatens a know that such a rash decision can have republican slogans, the MJF didn’t even after the Maoists join the government and walkout from Singha Darbar if the interim unintended consequences. But if a mildly criticise Gyanendra’s inflammatory since Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhab government is not formed by mid-March. decidedly conformist political outfit like Democracy Day speech. Perhaps the Nepal are competing for the same political In the afternoon, he warns that the the UML can pretend to want the same articulate Upendra Yadav, the experienced space, there is fierce contestation between coalition between the seven-party alliance thing, there really is no telling what Sitanandan Roy, and the irrepressible them. and the Maoists will collapse if the dates Maoists could do to protect their Kishor Bishwas just overlooked it. But now Balkhu fired the first salvo, tabling a for the elections aren’t announced revolutionary image. they are face to face with their own motion to amend the interim constitution to immediately. In the evening, he instructs In its own ham-handed way, the NC too irrelevance in the wake of transporters’ give parliament the authority to impeach the his party nominees in government to delay is playing the politics of pretence. Sujata resistance against their general strike. king. This proposal is in clear the entry of Maoists in the cabinet. Then, Koirala wants Krishna Sitaula to resign Slowly but steadily, the NC’s contravention of the political understanding having placed obstacles in the path of all though she knows him better than anyone monarchists have begun to assert processes that are preconditions to the else in the party. Ramchandra Poudel revs themselves in intra-party squabbles. Amod STATE OF THE STATE constituent assembly elections, he lays the anti-king engine, while Sushil Koirala Upadhyay, Govind Raj Joshi, Mahesh all the blame on the prime minister. counters by a tirade against Maoist Acharya, and Ram Sharan Mahat have C K Lal The UML are past masters of excesses, as if the two can’t go together. suddenly discovered that their anti-Maoist realpolitik. The anti-monarchy gambit is a Leaders of the rump NC-D seem oblivious rhetoric resonates at party forums in the reached in New Delhi, where it was decided ploy to pre-empt republican campaign to the ignominy ahead if they do not make countryside. That wouldn’t have been that the fate of the monarchy would be in slogans. Those who begin their political up with their parent party. possible without at least tacit approval of limbo until the first session of the education with the teachings of Mao—as But Gyanendra remains ahead of Koirala. It seems the NC president is still constituent assembly. most UML apparatchiks did in early everyone else in the playacting game, firm on his conviction that ceremonial But the motion also, in a roundabout seventies—invariably reach Machiavelli perhaps because he is typecast as a monarchy is the borderline but not quite the way, confers a certain legitimacy upon the via Stalin, Lenin and Marx. poker player. The law of all gambling dens republic. king. Impeachment is reserved for positions Comrade Dahal is still traversing is that while losers may come in many In the end, all politicians are actors. The otherwise considered inviolable. The UML through the first quadrant. He continues to guises, the house always wins. That is the one who persists wins, and the king wants to woo its traditional patrons in the believe that all the eggs in the farm must position the king is manoeuvring himself certainly has an advantage here. Every establishment. Now in an anti-monarchy first be broken in order to make a single into. other player knows too well not to discount alliance, the UML is finding it difficult to omelet. The Maoists want the interim The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum has the possibility of his victory. Ultimately, that prove its traditional loyalty to the palace. parliament to declare Nepal a democratic weakened the Maoists and brought them to is the factor that will ensure elections Nepal has tried, by assuming the role of republic immediately, even while they the level of the UML. But for all their soonest. 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 3
LLL ETTERS
IMAGINE Maoists have gone crazy, should the rest of I have been following Ashutosh Tiwari’s Strictly Nepal pretend to be dumb? No government can Business columns ever since he started writing be pro-public and no election can be fair under them for Nepali Times. However, in the past I have the shadow of arms. Since Nepal cannot be an been put off by the tone of his articles. He has exemption from this, the conscious citizenry come across as an arrogant know it all. But he has must speak-out impartially, in full voice, not for redeemed himself with ‘Imagine’ (#338) it made my any political line and save this dear country from imagination come true. It is by far one of the best a political catastrophe. articles I have seen in your paper. It is honest, Pradeepta Sharma, Mumbai thought provoking, inspiring and, of course, imaginative. Thank you John Tiwari Lennon for a Re: ‘Equal opportunity poverty’ (#338). Alok great melody this week. Bohara and Mani Nepal have researched their Bal K Joshi, email subject, but here is another point of view: 1. The accompanying map shows that except Your editorial ‘Disarming candour’ was itself Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari and Chitwan ( where full of disarming candour. It left me and my populations are predominantly pahadi), all the colleagues wondering if the political charade being tarai districts have high incidences of poverty. played out with arms management has exceeded Isn’t it surprising that a ‘resource-rich’ tarai its redundancy. The Maoists say they are now didn’t fare well in the course of development for firmly on the democratic path, but are not willing to last few years? It will be interesting to compare quit Prachanda Path. The biggest proof of this is to the same map using 1970 data. Districts where show that they have handed in only one weapon for the madhesi population is concentrated is much every 10 guerrillas. Who are they trying poorer than the hills to the to fool? OK, the UN fell for it, north? Why was this but the Nepali people haven’t. overlooked in the The Maoists have made fools otherwise well-researched of themselves to think that article? Hope it’s not they can fool us. Most find it deliberate. hard to digest the explanation 2. Ethnic groups are that the discrepancy in guns united by common and guerrillas is due to a cultural, behavioural, ‘frantic recruitment drive’ or linguistic, ritualistic, or ‘guns were washed away by religious traits, usually floods’. The Prachanda Pathists but not always on the have a lot to learn from Mao’s basis of a common mentor, Sun Tzu. genealogy or ancestry. J Argon, email Madhesis are a distinct ethnic group. Yadav is a Time and again I express my caste, not an ethnic views rather remotely as an group. Arbitary grouping unseasoned outsider. Often clustering without praised, occasionally laughed proper knowledge of and brushed aside by both social structure of madhesi ethnic groups Nepalis in Nepal and abroad. Whatever turmoil may lead us to some misleading results. But if Nepal may be going through over the years, one is out to prove something, statistics can be perhaps the most dangerous game of all is being bent. played by the Madhesi Mukti Morcha. It may be an 3. Bohara and Nepal talks about resource agitation for fair representation, but it could turn sharing and say, ‘…resourceful regions could Nepal into Bosnia. Before the sparks ignite the refuse to share benefits with less-privileged armoury we must stop playing games and find a areas. Imagine the Limbuwan province meaningful political resolution. A multi-cultural bypassing the tarai to sell hydropower to India Nepal needs a system of balance so that those and keeping all the proceeds…’ I can’t see that clamouring for rights also realise that they have happening. There will always be a powerful the responsibility to respect the rights of others. inclusive central government which will negotiate Yagya Kanta Rai, Farnborough, UK with the states concerned if a conflict arises. Moreover, the modality of resource sharing can Bullet power is again trying to obstruct ballot be well defined in the constitution itself. Fear power in June. The Maoists are ultra-vocal that the psychosis among few should not stop the elections need to be held on time, but their deeds demand for ethnic states once we all admit that are just delaying the polls. They have registered there has been ethnic discrmination in past. To almost 10 times fewer weapons than guerrillas. borrow from C K Lal, sentences starting with There are very few takers to their childish ‘But’, ‘While’, ‘However’, ‘Though’ to sympathise explanation about unregistered lethal weapons with the madhesi and janjati cause make them having been lost to floods and fire. Next, their MP doubtful of the intentions of the ruling class. openly threatens to use his gun in parliament. If Name withheld, email 4 NATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339
RE-DRAWING SOCIETY: Kathmandu University students recently asked bys and girls from Grade 3-4 in Rolpa to draw their school. They drew surprisingly accurate sketches of their school building, helicopters, guns and portraits of Pushpa Kamal Dahal. “I want to be a guerrilla”
PICS: KISHOR RIMAL
KISHOR RIMAL in ROLPA soldiers caught his elder sister and she was tortured. Gobinda is now stydying at the Sri ravelling to Rolpa from Kathmandu, Bir Balbhadra School in Thabang and when there are plenty of signs of the asked what he wants to be, says simply: “A Tphysical scars of the ten-year old guerrilla.” insurgency. Destroyed bridges, bombed out Jas Kumar Budha Magar is 11 and is police stations, VDC buildings in ruins. enrolled in grade three of the Janabadi Along the East-West Highway we also see School in Thabang of Rolpa. He knows his the more recent effects of the madhes displaced and the homeless, there are father was killed by policemen, and says he uprising: skeletons of burnt trucks and thousands of children who have grown up wants to avenge his death by joining the buses. with war lore and talk of killings and ‘People’s Liberation Army’. Aruna Gharti is Hidden and less apparent are the bombings. six, and raises his fist in a red salute as he sending its young sons into the Indian and psychological scars of the violence on Those who are most traumatised are the says he wants to join the Maoists. British armies, so children here have been children. Many children in the midwestern ones who have seen parents and relatives In February, a group of students from brought up with stories of grandparents hills who were five years old when the war killed in front of their eyes, either by the Kathmandu University organised a having fought in the world wars. started are now 17, and have hardly known Maoists or in a series of ruthless drawing competition for children “It is nothing new to them, but the peace. Besides the orphans, the internally counter-insurgency operations by state from Grades 3-4 at the Janabadi insurgency of the past ten years has had an security. Most children are still bent on School in Thabang. The children immediate impact on children,” says taking revenge. drew surprisingly accurate Madan Nepali, an English teacher. Nepali Gobinda Pariyar was six when images of their school says it is difficult to know if time will the army came to Rolpa looking building, of assault rifles, erase these memories and how long the for Maoists four years ago. “The Maoists helicopters and portraits of scars will remain. had taken shelter in our house, and my Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Unlike children Many still have nightmares, and when family ran into the mountains with in government schools elsewhere, they are awake there are still fears that the them as the soldiers arrived,” Thabang’s children knew the exact country will slide back to war. One thing is Gobinda remembers, “that night the names of all the guns they drew: certain: Nepali children need help and helicopters came and strafed us and “SLR”, “INSAS”, etc. counselling so they learn to grow up in a our house was blown up.” The Rolpa has always had a tradition of peaceful land. NATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 5 Bringing the boys back home Bidesi Nepalis need to find innovative ways to engage with the homeland
Washington DC: The Nepali world in Nepal. South Asian education are legion, diaspora has a lot to think about, A section of Nepalis I have and not everyone wants to deal and a lot to think. Those whose met here seems to think that there with it. favourite pastime was are fewer opportunities for them NRNs are getting wealthier, Gyanendra- or Girija-bashing to engage with their home country and half-a-million or million have few punching bags left, and post-April Uprising, with the dollar houses and apartments they aren’t quite brave enough to entering of the Maoists into the don’t raise too many eyebrows. lambaste Pushpa Kamal Dahal. mainstream, and now the larger The lifestyle of bidesi Nepalis is debates about the constituent also changing, holidaying and assembly, federalism, and hobbies are climbing up the ECONOMIC SENSE republicanism. The vehement and priority list. Most importantly, Artha Beed critical voices that filled the blogs they are now inclined to invest in are now falling short of pointers Nepal. But they find that there But this dilemma of sorts is on how to improve Nepal’s growth simply aren’t suitable perhaps leading them to look for and development. It’s difficult to instruments that will give them more positive ways to engage be an expert on Nepal’s problems the security of mitigating the with their home country. when political developments fluctuation in exchange rate. The Although the ‘visa gods’ in move so rapidly, that many state would do well to see them as Kathmandu reject many, there are perspectives are fast outdated. an economic force to reckon with. more Nepalis outside the country Thankfully, though, some The issues of Non-Resident now than there used to be. They people are trying their best. They Nepalis are broader than those work in hi-tech industries, might organise e-seminars like the highlighted by special interest manage restaurants and gas Nepal Study Center at the groups and established cartels. stations, they’re in the medical University of New Mexico does, or gratifying careers of those who have established their own The debate should be expanded and teaching sectors, and the conduct regular discussion came back in the 1990s. identity tell the Beed that they do now to create space not just for all diaspora’s profile is getting more programs like the Chalphal groups The main obstacle to people not want to return to be primarily Nepalis at home, but also for diverse by the year. And while in London and Boston. Some acting on this otherwise good idea obedient daughters-in-laws. those who live abroad and have a they discuss Hillary Clinton vs mid-career Nepalis who have is domestic, rather than anything Similarly, school-age children strong connection to their Nepali Barack Obama, integrated as they spent less than a decade outside to do with career prospects, don’t want to give up their identity. It’d be great to hear are in their new world, they’re Nepal are contemplating returning, opportunity, or money. Women perceived elite but in fact easier solutions for how to do this from also interested in the political as they look at the successful and who lead independent lives and education. The tales of the tough bidesi Nepalis too.
Golfing away
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal Golf Association, along with Surya Nepal, announced that the annual Surya Nepal Masters Golf Tournament 2007 will be held from 28-31 March at the Le Meridien Kathmandu, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa. The event will attract almost 90 professionals and 10 amateurs who compete for a prize money of Rs 2 million.
Sharing shares ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Bank of Kathmandu has increased the number of limited shares it holds from 46,35,809 to 60,31,416, an increase of 13,95,604 shares. The BOK has been providing various banking services since 1995 and is soon planning to introduce internet banking and corporate e-banking options.
Growth spurt ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Under new management, Lumbini Bank has improved its financial position in various sectors. NPA has been reduced to 21 percent from 40.54 percent while performing loans have increased to 80.64 percent, and deposits have increased by 38 percent. The Bank has been able to achieve a profit of Rs 217 million after tax and loan loss provision compared to last year’s loss of Rs 21.88 million.
New miracle ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Miracle Journey electronics store recently opened in Gwarko, Lalitpur. The store holds all of Samsung’s electronic goods as well as equipment from other major brands. Appliances available include televisions, refrigerator, air conditioners, ovens, computers, washing machines etc. The goods are available under easy installment plans and at discount rates.
Certified ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Surya Nepal has become the first company to be awarded with the SA 8000- 2001 Social Accountability Certification from Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The certification is awarded for adherence to human rights standards in the workplace.This latest certification comes on top of the other awards like the Monde Selection, the British Safety Council Award, First National Safety Award, FNCCI Excellence Award, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Certification that Surya Nepal has already achieved.
NEW PRODUCTS GEELY: China’s pioneer carmakers Geely will be launching the new Geely CK in Nepal. Saakha has been appointed the official distributor and plans to bring the car into the market in mid March. The CK has already been launched in more than 40 countries. Its major markets include the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 Who’s who trying to balance the aspirations of
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ traditional politicians with the Ghatana ra Bichar, 7-13 March need to include madhesi, women, Still fearful in Rolpa and janjati candidates. As bargaining for positions in the The Maoists meanwhile have UML MP Prakash Jwala in Himal Khabarpatrika forced labor and a show of force are everyday interim government heats up, the Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Hisila occurrences. The family of every Rolpali who is NC has decided to keep the Yami, Khadagbahadur The blood-soaked hills and valleys of Rolpa have working abroad has to pay up to Rs 35,000 in deputy-prime ministership for Biswokarma, Lekhraj Bhatt, and now been at peace for nine months. There are no annual tax to the Maoists. itself. This is to lessen Prime Deb Gurung as ministerial rotting bodies by the rivers. The sound of In Talabang, the Maoists accused Kaman Singh Minister Koirala’s workload and candidates. explosions no longer rent the air. Yet, fear still of ‘tax evasion’ and he was locked out of his house the party will chose between lurks here. and property taken over. Others are sick and tired Sushil Koirala and Ram Chandra
For nearly a decade, the Maoists had de facto of being forced to repeatedly pay up to Rs 400,000. Still hopeful
○○○○○○○ Poudel for the post. But the ○○○○○○○○○○ control over the mid-western districts. Local The Maoists have been building the difficult leadership hasn’t decided which Nepal, 5 March political leaders had to flee for their lives, nobody 81km ‘Martyr’s Highway’ from Nuwagau to one will be given a government has kept a count of how many were killed, tortured, Thabang. They had said it would be completed in or had their property confiscated. three years but it is behind schedule even though post and which one acting party Dhadhabar - It has been five years villagers from the surrounding districts of Rukum, president. If the Maoists prevail, since Sagunlal Chaudhary of Salyan, and Dang were pressed into road then it is likely that home Bardiya was captured by the army construction service. The ‘voluntary labour’ on the minister Krishna Sitaula will and went missing. The family had road has resumed since 13 March. retain a ministerial position. almost lost hope when Louise Two months ago, the Rolpa district in-charge Other NC wannabes include Arbour, the United Nations’ High Comrade Sijal had agreed with other parties to Sujata Koirala, Bhim Bahadur Commissioner for Human Rights allow the internally displaced to go back to their Tamang, Rambaran Yadab, Ram made a trip to this small village villages. Many did, but some were harassed by Sharan Mahat. Over at the NC-D 50km from Nepalganj, met with local Maoists when they went to their home Gopalman Shrestha, Ramesh them, and promised to talk to the villages. There is a trend here of the district Lekhak and Gyanendra Karki have Maoists not listening to the central Maoists and the government about Sagunlal’s village Maoists not listening to the district been uncontroversial and seem to status. leadership. be doing a good job, but the NC-D This was in mid-January. It’s The police have finally been allowed to return leadership may want a change of been two months since Arbour’s After the 12-point agreement and the peace to some of their abandoned posts. In Jungar and faces and include more party visit and the Chaudharys have process, political activity is picking up. Party cadre Ghartigaun, the Maoists welcomed returning heavyweights like Purna Bahadur still not heard from the are going back to their villages, and the UML and policemen with garlands and then told them: “You Khadka, Prakashman Singh, government. “We are confident the NC have even re-established offices in Jungar, stay where we tell you to stay, no armed patrols, Balkrishna Khand, Uma Adhikari, government will listen to the Ghartigau, and Iribang after many years. before you go out you ask us for permission.” and Bimalendra Nidhi. voice of such a high-ranking But the parties are still facing harassment. On Despite the peace process and UN-verified The UML wants Bam Deb officer,” says Sagunlal’s son 23 March, the Maoists disrupted a UML meeting in arms management, Rolpa’s villagers are being Gautam to be deputy prime Krishna. Talabang and took away the microphones. It’s openly told by local Maoists that they still have a minister, and he will go into getting late for the Maoists who have accepted lot of guns hidden away. Some comrades even Sagunlal used to be the peaceful competitive politics to mend their ways. warn that if they lose the constituent assembly government only if he gets that principal of a local school when The threats, intimidation and coercion is costing election they will go back to war. post. Party cadre want Jhalanath he was captured in front of the Maoists support. Although the comrades have It is difficult to see how voting in the constituent Khanal to lead the team in witnesses by the army on declared that ‘people’s courts’ will be disbanded assembly election can be truly free, fair and government but UML leader 27 December 2001. A year later the they are still running kangaroo courts. Extortion, independent in this situation. Madhab Nepal is said to be family heard that he was being against this. The UML is also detained in the Chisapani FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 7
ANNAPURNA POST GREEN WEALTH: Since mid-February Maoists have been cutting down sisau trees from Pumori Agro Forestry in Kumrose, Chitwan, which is spread over 42 of the 55 hectares of Pumori’s land. They claim they are only chopping down trees that are dry, dying, or useless, but have also sold them to middlemen and brick kilns, or taken them to the temporary camps. It’s true! Weapons were washed away by the river as Prachanda said. Pumori bought 55 hectares forest lands over a period of nine years from 1992-2001, but the Maoists forcefully took over it on 23 March 2004. They stared felling trees on 16 February and last week the Nepal, 5 March company sent a letter to the chief district officer requesting that the cutting of trees be stopped right away. It is understood that this year alone the Maoists have cut bamboo worth Rs 500,000 and wood worth QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Rs 1 million. (Annapurna Post) I will pick up the phone right away and “ call an eight-party meeting to form the interim barracks, but they have heard families are waiting to file their “ government if you promise to create an environment where Nepali people and the nothing about him since. The cases after the government makes international community feel safe. army denies any involvement in the status of the disappeared Sagunlal’s disappearance. people public. Most reports of Arbour said that Bardiya was Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to Pushpa Kamal Dahal quoted in Nepal Samacharpatra, 4 March disappearances in Nepal during top on her list of priorities. After the conflict come from Bardiya. Arbour’s visit the government has Of the 204 people who have gone not set up a commission to SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS missing from here, 181 were investigate disappearances, and disappeared by the state and the nor has it said it will take action rest by the Maoists. Louise Arbour against the military personnel has said the government needs to involved in the Bardiya make sure there is no impunity disappearances. The families are for those involved. forming a committee to pressure But the relatives of many who the government. “A government have disappeared haven’t even that does not listen to the United filed cases. Because the Nations is sure to commit more government rejects complaints crimes,” says committee chairman that are not backed by evidence, Krishna Chaudhary.
Get on with it Suicidal
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Editorial in Janadesh, Editorial in Punarjagaran, 6 March 6 March
Although the Nepali people Maoist weapons have landed in demand that the palace be containers and yet everyone is disposed of and Nepal declared dissatisfied with the number. The a republic immediately, the relatives of the murdered tell of government is still unwilling to vast stores of stockpiled let the Maoists [who are asking weapons. Even the Special for the same things] join the Representative of the Secretary interim government. In fact, the General of the United Nations, government is afraid of letting Ian Martin, seems dissatisfied. the Maoists party into the What we are seeing is that constituent assembly. Clearly, there is one weapon for every ten the interim government plans to soldiers, meaning that the other let things continue without a nine are unarmed, their weapons resolution for a month or two, have been washed away by effectively delaying the rivers, or blown to bits in fires. A constituent assembly election. lie of this magnitude warrants a The fact is, the Maoists do place in the Guinness Book of not need anyone’s approval. The World Records. Nepali people trust, love, and What repercussions could it support them. If they fought the have for Nepal and for the world ten-year ‘People’s War’ with the if these Maoists, who haven’t support of the people, they will even been properly disarmed, also fight for peace and are allowed to enter the interim democracy with the same government? What do we say of support. There is no doubt the the dignity of the seven-party Maoists can establish a alliance if they allow the Maoists democratic republic in Nepal to bully themselves into the with such support. It is a government? misconception that delaying the The Maoists need to return Maoists from entering the all land and property they have government and the constituent seized from individuals. assembly will lead to freedom Everyone needs to be able to earlier for Nepal and its people. vote under their own name The Nepali people do not without any coercion. The need to be taught that the dilly- environment of fear needs to dallying of the interim change, because no election government is a conspiracy to held under such conditions has herald retrogression. any significance whatsoever. 8 MEDIA
USHA TITIKCHU KIRAN PANDAY 10 years In 1997 Radio Sagarmatha opened the gates for Nepal’s radio revolution on air ost young radio journalists “In April 1997, we sent a letter to the programming. WAR AND PEACE: Radio Sagarmatha has today probably don’t know Ministry of Communication asking for a In July 2001 a landmark Supreme Court seen a lot in its 10 years, from soldiers M what a long and hard battle it permission to test broadcast,” recalls decision assured broadcasters the same occupying it after the royal coup in 2005 to was ten years ago to liberate Nepal’s air present station manager Mohan Bista, “the freedoms as those available to print media being a true public broadcaster battling waves and to create public space for radio. government didn’t respond so we went and ruled that a ban on news restricted the commercialisation in peacetime. When Radio Sagarmatha was finally ahead and broadcast anyway.” constitutional right to information. But granted a license to be Nepal’s first non- Journalists erected the tower broadcasters have faced constant harassment same time. It should take the role as a government radio station in May 1997 it themselves, using drinking water pipes and and restrictions culminating in a blanket regulator in the public interest and was a milestone not just for Nepal but the driving around Kathmandu on motorbikes ban on news on radio after the royal coup of guarantee the survival of public whole South Asian region. The day 102.4 with radios to test the transmitting range. Feburary 2005. broadcasters and institutions like FM went on air was the day the government Even when the government threatened In November that year police raided Sagarmatha that try to promote this. monopoly of radio ended and frequencies strong action, Radio Sagarmatha persisted. Sagarmatha, seized equipment and took five Licensing and regulation should itself be were recognised as public property. Finally, on 18 May 1997 the license was journalists into custody for a BBC interview decentralised. Sagarmatha opened the gates to dozens granted. with Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The fact that the Radios have given voice to indigenous of community FM stations, private Getting Sagarmatha on air was station hadn't actually run the interview groups and neglected languages, but it has a commercial radio and public broadcasters. instrumental in creating awareness that wasn't considered. Sagarmatha took the case long way to go in ensuring ethnic and Ten years later, there are 66 independent community radios could expand the public to the Supreme Court which ruled that BBC gender diversity in staffing. stations through Nepal, 27 more are going sphere creating the conditions for rebroadcasts should be allowed on FM. Raghu Mainali of the Community Radio on air within two months and dozens more democracy and development to thrive. But Sagarmatha had won this victory on behalf Support Center (CRSC), says: “Sagarmatha licesense have been given out. it hasn’t all gone according to plan. The of a dozen other stations that also relay the has helped community radios throughout “Sagarmatha was a hard-won group virtually unregulated process has brought BBC Nepali Service. Nepal with training now we need to work effort, it took years of lobbying,” recalls with it commercial pressures on the quality FM in Nepal is now no longer a together to improve the quality, Bharat Koirala the media trainer and of programming. Many private stations, development project, thanks to participatory nature of programming and activist who was given the Magsaysay dependent on advertisement support, cater Sagarmatha’s pioneering work, it is a ensuring sustainability.” z Award in 2000 for his contribution. to young, urban, middle class people with mainstream phenomenon that has Koirala’s original idea was to turn high purchasing power. contributed to the creation of public space. Sagarmatha into a nucleus for training Nepal needs public broadcasters, doing “Now we are facing the second generation community broadcasters throughout Nepal, inclusive and participatory programming, problems, monitoring, regulation and the and use grassroots communications to to supply rural communities with access to setting of quality standards being the most empower rural Nepal and help relevant information. These programs being urgent,” says Binod Bhattarai of the Centre development. information-based have higher running for Investigative Journalism who was But even after the license was granted to costs and lower advertisement revenues station manager in 1998-99. Licensing the Nepal Forum of Environmental than commercial stations. should become more transparent and Journalists (NEFEJ) to run Sagarmatha, Forced to pay 4 percent tax on income differentiate between non-profit and there were numerous hurdles: fixing the and a high annual broadcasting royalty, commercial broadcasters and handled by an tax for public broadcasters, distinguish community stations including Radio independent monitoring authority, he adds. between community and commercial Sagarmatha find it hard to sustain To achieve this the government should stations and finding a legislative themselves. So it depends on donor step back from being the monitoring, framework. support, partnerships and sponsored licensing and broadcasting agency at the 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 9 Thinking nationally, acting locally Nepal’s radio success story faces new challenges
KIRAN NEPAL
en years after it transformed Nepal’s media landscape, Nepal’s network of radio stations are now being threatened T by the dominance of national-level news and the control of the airwaves by politicians and businessmen. “If the process of centralised network broadcasting continues at its present pace, local identity and capacity will be eroded,” warns media expert Binaya Kasaju. There are now 69 FM stations all over Nepal with another 27 going on air soon. Existing stations are now filling airtime with up to four hours of nationally-syndicated news and current affairs programs daily. Communications Corner, for instance, simultaneously broadcasts its news programs through 22 stations nationwide. Antenna Foundation has talk and discussions like ‘Nepal Chautari’ going through 29 stations. BBC Nepali Service is broadcast every evening through a dozen stations. FM stations are by definition local because of their signal reach, but networking has allowed them to have a national character. Local content allowed these stations to voice community concerns and reflect Nepal’s ethnic, linguistic and geographical diversity. The reason for the loss of local character is that although most FM stations are in the 100-500 watt range, high-power transmitters up to 10,000 watts are being permitted. There is no criteria for deciding who gets what transmission capacity, and there are no limits to the number of licenses in an area. Kathmandu Valley alone now has 18 FM radios. National media players are also expanding aggressively to other urban areas. Kantipur FM which used to broadcast to the whole of eastern Nepal now has license to set up FM radios in Nepalganj, Butwal, Bharatpur and Pokhara. Image FM is following suit. Not everyone agrees all this erodes local content. Gopal Guragain of Communication Corner who is launching a satellite-syndicated service called Ujyalo National Network with 18 hours of programming daily says the unique selling point of community radios is still local content. “Of course not everyone wants to just hear about how to keep water buffalos healthy,” he adds, “there is also a great hunger for national news. So there has to be a balance between national and local.” A recent listenership survey showed that Saptakosi FM in Itahari had nipped the powerful Kantipur FM in ratings in Morang and Sunsari. Community radios that broadcast in local languages also have a powerful advantage over nationally syndicated content. Birganj FM’s Bhojpuri and Janakpur FM’s Maithili programming are popular not just in the tarai but also across the border in India. In fact, both are now selling commercial time for Indian products. In the ongoing tarai unrest, radio stations in the plains, while pressing for a fair deal for madhesis, have raised their voices for communal harmony and to keep the agitation peaceful. Some analysts aren’t as worried about nationally syndicated content as they are about politicians investing in radio. The Maoists have just bought Paschimanchal FM in Palpa through a Butwal-based front man. Programming chief Ramesh Poudel openly admits his station’s aim is to propagate the Maoist agenda. Paschimanchal relayed a live broadcast of Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s 13 February speech from Kathmandu. The UML’s Pradip Nepal is involved in Saptakosi FM in Itahari, and another party member owns Suklaphanta FM in Mahendranagar. ML mayor of Tansen Ashok Shahi is involved in Muktinath FM. The RPP’s Rajiv Parajuli has put his brother in charge of Birganj FM. Jivan Shahi of NC-D has got the license to operate Kailash FM in Simkot. The Kabhre NC president and a central committee member have got permissions for stations in Kabhre and Janakpur. z
NATIONWIDE NETWORK: There are now 69 FM stations currently on air all over Nepal. Another 27 will start broadcasts within the next few months, most of them in remote districts. 10 NATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 Nepal needs to hang on to its most valuable resource, Youth and hope its youngsters
epal has one natural resource in places like Nepal is the status of the others abundance that isn’t related to who emigrate, who seek DV visas, or slip Nwater. One that doesn’t require a abroad with the help of people smugglers. foreign consortium to descend from on Many are not especially well-off, but high and exchange up-front cash for long- plenty are at least middle class and literate, term ownership. This is a commodity that by the standards of home. They go to has long since disappeared from the Toronto, New York, or London to work as developed world, and though many others plumbers, waiters, nurses, and office beyond America and Europe possess it, workers. In each of these places, shortages there is inexhaustible demand that isn’t of skilled and semi-skilled labour have related to supply. cost local economies dearly in recent years. Countries like Canada now court construction workers in overseas jobs fairs, HERE AND THERE Daniel Lak and try to lure welders and pipefitters from China to South Africa. The native-born, it seems, just won’t do those jobs. Or they’re The resource is youth. Nepal is one of too old. the youngest countries in the world, with The biggest growth area in the job more than half its population under markets of North America and Europe thirty. That means energy, dynamism, and doesn’t involve a box of tools or years of opportunity galore for almost everyone RAMESWOR BOHARA post-secondary education. In the coming here, young and old alike. By contrast, years, the single, the childless, and the France, Britain, and other European that’s a combination of a demographic Eastern Europe and many are Latinos of otherwise unsupported elderly of the rich countries have discovered one of the great bulge about to steeply decline, and foreign varying hues, but they are mostly poor, or world will need care. And they’ll be paying truisms of development—affluence is the students hungry for a decent education. at least lacking in much that the native- for it. They’ll have money but no caregivers only truly effective form of birth control. The rich world is aging fast, and places like born of rich countries take for granted. to spend it on. More and more Nepalis, Sri America and Canada would be equally aged Nepal are chock-a-block with youth. I am confident this represents the cusp Lankans, Thais, and Brazilians are if it weren’t for immigration. In both of I look around Canada, where I bide my of amazing change. Some see the flow of answering that particular call. Courses to North America’s rich giants, only the time at the moment. What do I see? Old, people outward from Asia to America or help the elderly are oversubscribed. newly-arrived are swelling the ranks of the white people and young brown, black, and Europe as brain drain and, to a certain So, yes, Nepal needs many things at the young. Asian people. The new demography of extent, it has been. Nepali doctors and moment. But of pressing concern is a Childless marriages just hit a new all- North America. Rich, settled, aging whites academics should be labouring in Nepal, strategy on its most important natural time high in the United States. More who aren’t reproducing, and plenty of the but who can fault them for fleeing war, resource—how to keep the young people people are living their entire lives as world’s children from elsewhere coming in political stasis, and ludicrous misrule by here. Before they all leave to high-paying singles, never getting married or having to make up for that. Not that all the young kings and politicians alike? What’s more jobs looking after the likes of me in Canada. kids. Universities are jam-packed, but incomers aren’t white. Some are from intriguing than the flight of the elite from I pay well, mind… z NATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 11 Post-truth Nepal Lying for the Cause ou don’t need the Hand telling you that politicians are of and that the millions collected are voluntary donations. habitual liars. This fact of life has been learnt the This lame defence, conflicting with the testimony of Yhard way, through a litany of betrayal and perfidy, and business-people nationwide, suggests he couldn’t give a the Nepali people’s lack of faith in their leaders is a damning damn whether anyone believes him; toeing the party line is judgment. Telling the truth is passé and open-hearted honesty what matters. On the off-chance Mahara actually believes old-fashioned. The axiom ‘nice guys finish last’ is proven by his own words, serious pathological tendencies are indicated those who rise to the top in the national political arena. that bode ill. It occurred to the now invisible Hand that those driven by Pasang Lama, caught in a sting operation purchasing ideology do things differently. Your garden-variety politico arms from a radical Kashmir group, admitted to Indian police makes promises he never plans on keeping when angling for that he was a Maoist buying guns destined for Nepal, votes, or lies to conceal his incompetence and corruption. despite a ban on such activity in the peace accord. But his This behaviour, while deviant, is not from normal self- boss in Delhi, CP Gajurel, displayed the Party’s impressive interested behaviour. clerical skills, saying there was no such person on the Politicians driven by Ideology, on the other hand, seem to membership rolls. have a different concept of truth than the rest of us. While An organisation with a rigid hierarchy saves the most average politicians blatant lies for its supreme commander. Prachanda’s recent lie haphazardly to explanation that the absent Maoist weapons were swept KIRAN PANDAY MOVING TARGET cover their away by a river and/or incinerated in a blaze stretches our Foreign Hand blunders, credibility to new limits. Reality and truth no longer matter in ideologically driven the national political equation. A flawed election is worse politicos lie Not much surprises the Hand but a few things terrify methodically for the cause, which conveniently justifies him. An ideologically based belief system excuses duplicity than a delayed election whatever it takes to achieve the objective. Adhering to and encourages deceit to further the cause. Ideology has ideology gives license for mendacity; if the end always been used to justify appalling crimes against humanity over justifies the means, anything goes. the past century, from Hitler’s Nazi Germany to Pol Pot’s Look at some recent examples of fabrication and reality Maoist Kampuchea. Intolerance of awkward facts that denial: The shooting in Lahan that sparked the tarai conflict with the party line has historically led to the creation conflagration was perpetrated, say eyewitnesses, by a Maoist of a separate, manipulated truth for the masses, with cadre travelling in a Party minivan. Comrade Deb Gurung of disastrous consequences. No to June the central politburo unflinchingly told the press it was We have grown inured to being insulted by our leaders actually the work of Royalist agents-provocateurs, begging through their corruption, strikes, and treachery, but such the question what a trigger-happy monarchist was doing in brazen lies insult our intelligence and are thus troubling on a hat do Girija Prasad Koirala, Madhab Kumar Nepal, and their vehicle. deeper level. In the New Nepal truth will be a commodity Pushpa Kamal Dahal have in common? Like a broken record, In response to a report issued last month by an controlled and defined by the Party, whose version stands they all keep insisting on sticking to the June deadline for international organisation condemning rampant Maoist infallible and beyond reproach. W extortion of the business community, Comrade Mahara of the The Hand, who has often wondered ‘how stupid do they elections to the constituent assembly. None offer a coherent reason why central politburo indignantly declared that coercion is unheard really think we are?’ now has his answer. elections are so important by June except to say that regressive elements will take advantage if polls are deferred. And yet, if only all of them were to seriously think for once, they would see why the artificial deadline of June can tear this country apart. To hold credible elections that form an inclusive and legitimate constituent assembly, a few key conditions must be in place. There must first be a legal framework that allows all constituents to participate in the assembly elections. An environment must then be created that guarantees freedom from threats and intimidation. The elections, finally, must be held according to acceptable standards so that the results are seen as legitimate. None of these conditions exist today. The comprehensive peace agreement and interim constitution are so myopic that they have barred anyone other than the eight parties from contesting the polls. That means the legal framework does not exist to allow for true participation. Even if the laws are changed and new ones introduced, it is unclear whether that will allow all interested constituents to participate. The recent madhesi movement and janajati agitation were a direct result EYES WIDE SHUT of this myopia. Sheetal Kumar As for the political and civil space needed for free elections, it doesn’t exist. Though most Maoist weapons are now inside UNMIN containers, Maoist behaviour in the field is still intimidating and threatening. Worse, there is no monitoring mechanism to check their behaviour. Policing is patchy, thin, and corrupt, and the only national monitoring institution was disbanded last November without a replacement in place. Talk to any of the district cadres of the other major parties. They will tell you how constricted the space for free politics is. With the tarai and janajati votes now moving out of the Maoists’ orbit, such behaviour by nervous Maoist cadres will only grow. All this means the basic acceptable standards for elections just do not exist, and it is not likely they will come into place in the three months left till June. Even if we were to speed up things now, negotiations with the traditionally marginalised communities will likely take months before an acceptable compromise on participation and representation is reached. Adequate policing and monitoring of civil and political space will require concerted action by all sides, including by the Maoists, who just don’t seem interested in allowing that. This means only one thing: no credible elections in June. If the June deadline is stuck to, the elections will be flawed, with results contested and atmosphere poisoned—not a good recipe for constitution-making. Sticking with such flawed elections is more dangerous than delayed elections because of the potential that it will increase lawlessness, create new conflicts, and fragment the state. Imagine the effect that would have on the fidgety Maoist combatants in their cantonments. So why not declare the inevitable now: postpone the polls until all necessary conditions are met. This must be backed up with urgent work on strengthening the cantonment logistics and, crucially, reforming the security services so that Maoist fighters have some hope of finding jobs in a reformed security sector. Otherwise, we may agree to defer the polls only to see the fighters come out of the camps to cause mayhem in the countryside. 12 INVESTIGATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339
Whose baby is this? This painting hangs in the reception of the orphanage in Ratopul we sourced a child from . Baby bajar
welfare organisation warn that Prospective adoptive parents birth mothers find out that their this week’s conference on inter- in Kathmandu are often child is being taken away for good, country adoption will push to desperate for a child, in culture not just to be educated as promised make the process easier but it may shock, and unable to speak by brokers, ugly scenes ensue. end up being even less English. They are being extorted Since February France and transparent. and lied to. First, many pay an Germany have banned all new “Some of the homes are run by agency back home as much as adoptions from Nepal because of our own board members,” a • 5,000 since many countries do lack of transparency, a spike in government child welfare official not allow direct adoptions. applications and serious told us, “there’s a problem of When they come here they are uncertainty about whether the political pressure. If we publish hit by demands for more money children were meant to be adopted their names in the newspaper, every step of the way: for child in the first place. Spain and France maybe we can’t stay here.” support for the duration of the are sending missions to investigate The meet, organised by the process, a donation to the the conditions of adoption here. Child NGO Federation, the orphanage (one parent said she On n-child, a popular internet Ministry for Women, Children paid • 9,000). The demands for discussion forum for parents and the Central Child Welfare bribe money continue up to the looking to adopt from Nepal, a Board, aims to improve the last stages of the paperwork. recent poster wrote: “As we lived process of adoption from Nepal Those who pay can get a child in in KTM for our adoption process THOMAS BELL and get feedback from adoptive up to two months. The few who we got to know people who had families on “whether their desires don’t, wait for a year or longer been around and watched adoption ANAGHA NEELAKANTAN number of children are being and wishes … have been well with members of the extended over the years in Nepal. It was their falsely declared orphans, or taken facilitated”. On another website, family forced to take turns to feeling that … Nepal would epal’s exports are away from their parents on false the conference is described as camp out in Kathmandu when become the next Guatemala or down, tourism is still pretexts to be handed over to designed to help eliminate visas expire. Cambodia, which are now closed to stagnant but the adoptive parents for a hefty fee. “existing rumours and negative Some new parents have Canadians wishing to adopt there. Ninternational adoption Employees of top hotels say attitudes regarding adoption of realised soon after their return Too many irregularities and too business is booming. Children are confrontations between new children by foreigners” and its home that their child is twice as much money moving in inordinate often put up for adoption without adoptive parents and birth main focus will be appointing old as they were told. When directions.” their parents’ knowledge or parents in parking lots and adopted Nepalis as “Goodwill consent. The racket thrives in part lobbies are increasingly common. Ambassadors to the respective because there are no laws The price of children is countries to where their new governing financial transactions increasing. Confidential emails parents belong to, and will be “Completely rotten” in the process. In addition to between a US agent and a assigned the duty of playing key hefty ‘donations’ to orphanages facilitator from September 2006 roles in establishing a strong bond arents and child welfare workers speak of paying out bribes and financial support for the put the ‘going rate’ for a child at between the two countries.” There totalling as much as •6,000. Nepali Times has seen upkeep of their ‘allotted’ child $5,000. But adoptive parents, is no mention of the best interests Pbreakdowns of figures reported by adoptive parents, ranging from while they wait for their file to be their interpreters, child rights, of the children, or how to make a •250-2,500 paid out to the ministry, ‘file fees’ from •500-4,500, processed, parents also pay hefty activists, and researchers say notoriously murky process more grants to orphanages from •2,000-4,500, and child support from a sums to ‘facilitators’ or agencies in minimum ‘donations’ to transparent. •1,500 lump sum to •80 a month for an unknown duration. But, as Nepal and back home. The whole orphanages put the average figure Vinod Adhikary, joint an official involved in the process explained, parents are extremely shady business is lubricated with at up to $10,000. reluctant to provide figures and usually under-report how much they secretary at the ministry and really paid. There are no receipts, so there is no evidence of what bribes to offices and individuals. This is looking set to be the coordinator of the Adoption was paid to whom. Posing as British parents biggest year yet for adoption. In Recommendation Committee “The system is completely rotten,” says an outraged child wishing to adopt a Nepali child, the first six months of the 2006-7 composed of government and welfare official, “and it goes all the way to the top.” The bribery we visited the Child NGO fiscal year 338 Nepali children NGO representatives emphatically starts from small local police stations and district administration Federation, one of the organisers had been given up for adoption denied there could not be even offices, which are encouraged to certify children as orphans or of an international conference on abroad. The total number for the one in 10,000 cases of dubious produce perfectly legal, and perfectly false, documents claiming adoption in Kathmandu this whole of last year was 373. Most parents’ consent to giving up their child for adoption. adoptions because “we are very The Adoption Recommendation Committee, composed of weekend. We were directed to a Nepali children are adopted by strict about it.” He also denied government and NGO representatives, makes the final decision on member who is also a supreme families in Spain, Italy, the US, that adoptions were being pushed files, which are then formally approved by the Secretary of the court advocate and has an France, and Germany. There was a through faster ahead of the Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Welfare. orphanage. surge in inter-country adoption conference. Adopting parents are charged $300 each by Nepal Children’s Nepali Times has corroborated from Nepal after 1999/2000, when However, in a telephone Organisation, Bal Mandir, for ‘monitoring’, usually visits by board reports from sources close to the the process was standardised and conversation he had in our members to countries where Nepali children are adopted. “These adoption process and child brought under the Ministry for are perks, foreign trips,” a government child welfare official told us. presence, he referred to the There are numerous reports of parents being asked to foot the bill welfare institutions of corruption Women, Children, and Social “international market” and later for sightseeing visits, expensive hotels, meals, and souvenirs. A at every stage of the process. But a Welfare. suggested to us that perhaps poster on n-child says: “It is not easy to understand why should we senior child welfare official told An international researcher on competitors such as Vietnam were pay such journeys... But we love Nepal and, of course, Nepali us: “We have to be careful about adoption says that the adoption trying to take advantage by children … so everytime we have paid, everytime we have gone to taking action because powerful market is moving to Nepal from starting rumours about financial meet them personally.” people are involved.” No one we India, where a few scandals, misdealing in Nepali adoptions. talked to about adoption was tightening of legislation and willing to speak on the record, enforcement in recent years have fearing retaliation from the made things “too hot” for many measures to ensure that, in inter country orphanage and adoption lobbies. agents. adoptions, the placement does not result in Lack of laws improper financial gain for those involved in it.” The high stakes are driving a Senior government officials But he and other child rights experts we spoke market in which an increasing and at an international child he fees charged by brokers and facilitators, with stopped short of suggesting that this could be and ‘donations’ solicited by orphanages are grounds for prosecution. Tin a grey area: nothing in Nepali adoption law David Smolin, a law professor at Samford Adoptation patterns by fiscal year since 1999 specifically prohibits financial transactions. University in the United States and author of three Lawyers and child rights activists say the laws papers in 2004/05 on inter-country adoption, writes are little more than a detailing of procedure and that while the adoption business might technically do not protect children from being exploited. be seen to fall short of actually being “trafficking”, According to the Hague Convention on adoption— because there is usually no “further exploitation” to which Nepal is not a signatory—and the Child involved, “the inter-country adoption system Rights Convention which Nepal has signed and is legitimises and incentivises the practices of therefore bound by, adoption should be the last buying, trafficking, kidnapping, and stealing resort for a child. children.” Experts on adoption law, such as Rup A child rights activist from an international Narayan Shrestha of the Forum for Women Law, organisation that we spoke to expressed fears that and Development, says transactions of the kind there could be a “ring” operating from the villages that are taking place in Nepal all the time violate to Kathmandu and beyond, and that more than just article 21 of the Child Rights Convention, which adoption, it might involve the flesh trade, organ says that that states must “take all appropriate trade, or paedophilia. *For the first half, through January 2007 INVESTIGATION 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 13 “I want my son back”
adam Bahadur Shahi, a 32-year-old forest guard from Jaira VDC in Humla has spent every day of theP last six weeks at Kathmandu’s District Administration Office’s Child Welfare Council, asking when his child will come back to him. Two years ago, when he was struggling to take care of his three children when his wife fell ill, a friend suggested that he send his oldest son to the Tuguda Balbalika Udaya Kendra in Kathmandu to be looked after. Shahi found out last July that his son, Kobi Raj, was now an adopted child in Spain. The distressed father says the children’s home director, Chandra Man Joshi, tried to placate him saying they were good people. Shahi says he never agreed to put Kobi Raj up for adoption, but the paperwork is all in order. Under Nepali law, there is no way to reverse such an adoption. Gyan THOMAS BELL Lama of the DAO’s child welfare council says at most Joshi could face criminal action. This isn’t enough for Padam Bahadur Shahi. “Maybe they can punish Joshi,” he says, “but that isn’t justice for me. I want my son back.” z
Kids as business
here are over 500 children’s homes and 60 Many homes and orphanages receive large orphanages in Kathmandu whose registration donations from foreign and Nepali well-wishers, Tdetails include the stated intention of providing but often the standards of health, nutrition, and children for foreign adoption. Children are in cleanliness are abysmal, and few orphanages demand, and every time a child is rescued from provide the stimulation children need for healthy the streets the Administration Office gets phone development. Prospective adoptive parents calls from orphanages. complain that even at institutions such as Bal In the past year the Nepali media has reported Mandir, the children are under-nourished, have cases of children taken from parents who are told skin diseases, and that toddlers confined to tiny, the kids will be educated for free. Some are sent dark spaces sit all day, clutching at the bars of to India, others are in orphanages and homes in their cribs, rocking back and forth. the Valley, not always in the conditions their Two interpreters who have spent the last three parents have been promised. Child rights workers months to two years accompanying prospective say an orphanage in Thankot filled with children parents to orphanages say children are trained from Humla until last July functioned as a feeder “like monkeys” to play cute for westerners, and orphanage, supplying kids to others who needed prohibited from speaking to Nepalis who are not them. Last month Himal Khabarpatrika reported a orphanage staff. They have seen administrative case of 88 children missing from an orphanage staff and board members display signs of and of children being moved from one children’s increasing wealth, going from “chappals to home to another in exchange for cash (“Where are Rs 10,000 sneakers, and from motorcycles to they?”, NT #335). SUVs in a matter of months”. z
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 13:51:55 +0545 From: [Kathmandu-based American Facilitator] Setting up shop To: US Agent Subject: some info I wanted to work with a Canadian agency because I'm sick he hardest part of the business to unravel is the and tired of the way the American Consulate treats me. T role of agents and facilitators. While most Other American Agent’s facilitator has put some rupees in adopting countries have a central adoption authority, the pockets of a couple of the orphanage’s board members parents usually go through approved agencies. In so the director has to contend with this. He absolutely countries like Nepal facilitators work as middlemen wants to work with me. between the agencies and the orphanages or birth
ABOUT TOWN Neel (Aftab Shivdasani) is a billionaire EXHIBITIONS bachelor with a wonderful life until he is Photo Circle III an exhibition of photographs at the Sundhara diagnosed with a fatal heart disease. He then Bakery Café, 9.45-12 noon on 10 March. meets the seductive Anahita (Celina Jaitley) Ek Raat an exhibition of paintings based on BP Koirala’s short and his life changes. Along the way, he also story, at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, until meets up with the mysterious Ria (Amrita 11 March, 11AM-6PM. 4218048 Arora) and soon the three are embroiled in a dark love story in the style of French film noir.
EVENTS Entertainment Civic Concerns an effort to assess youth concerns and share views and ideas, 10 March, Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal 10.30 AM-5.30 PM at PIC, Heritage Plaza, Rs www.jainepal.com 100 for registration. 4107599 Quest Water a film by Deepa Mehta presented by the Kathmandu Film Society at the Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap on 11 March at 5.30 PM. † ASMAN annual mela with food, fun, and music cgzf;g' / gltstfljxLg} JolQm / ;dfh cGttfuTjf] g]kfn ;/sf/ at St. Xavier's School, Jawalakhel on 17 March ktg eP/ hfG5g \ . To;}n] /fli6o« hLjgsf from 10AM-6PM. 9851094461 ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno Toastmasters communication and leadership program, every x/s] cfofdx¿df pbfx/0fLo cgzf;g' / gltstf} sfod ;"rgf ljefu Wednesday 6PM at the Institute of Environmental Management, ugk5'{ { . / To;sf ] ;?cft' cfkmaf6}+ u/f }+ . Tripureswor.
MUSIC Inner Groove live at Moksh on 9 March, from 8.30 PM. 5526212 Yala Maya Classic classical music series at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, 5PM onwards on the second of every Nepali month, Rs 100 entrance. 5553767 Live Music by Ciney Gurung every Wednesday and Rashmi Gurung every Friday, 7PM onwards at the Absolute Bar, Hotel Narayani Complex. 5521408 Fusion and classical Nepali music by Rudra live at the Courtyard, Le Meridien, Gokarna every Friday, 7PM onwards, Rs 800. 4451212 Gaine (Gandarbhas) perform at every lunch and dinner, Club Himalaya Nagarkot. 6680080
DINING French Brunch at the Alliance Française, 11 March from 11AM at AF’s Bistro and Garden. 4241163 Walk and lunch every Saturday until 31 March at the Shivapuri Heights Cottage. 9841371927 Trendy martinis and appetizers at the Rox Bar, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 North Indian kebabs, curries, rotis and biryani at The Dhaba, Thapathali. 9840290619 Delightful weekend special with sekuwa, bara, and barbeque, every Friday at Ambassador Garden House, Lazimpat, 5.30 PM onwards. 4411706 Light nouvelle snacks and elaborate cordon bleu meals at La’Soon, Pulchok, behind the Egyptian embassy. 5537166 Continental cuisine and wine by the fire place at Kilroy’s, Thamel. 4250440. Shop Talk Drink and dine at the Olive Bar and Bistro, Radisson Hotel. Café Bahal at Kathmandu Guest House. 4700632. Smorgasbord lunch at Park Village Resort, every Saturday. 4375280 Gyakok lunch and dinner at the Shambala Garden Café, Hotel Shangri-La, minimum of four guests at Rs 450 per person, two hours order in advance. Retro brunch barbecue with the Crossfire Band at The Poolside, Le Meridien, Gokarna from 12-4PM, Rs 1,000 inclusive of swimming and complimentary drink. 4451212 International Brunch weekends 11AM-3PM for Rs 499 per person (Rs 299 for children) at Hotel Himalaya. 5523900 Te Tibetan delicacies at Nepal’s first noodle bar, Bluebird Mall Food Court. Japanese Food at the Coffee Shop at Hotel Shangri-la, 12-3PM, Rs 499 per person. 4412999 Pizza from the woodfired oven at Java, Thamel. 4422519 Some Like It Hot live music from Side B every Friday at Fusion– the bar at Dwarika’s. Rs 799 includes BBQ dinner and a beer. 4479488 Senoritas & Margaritas Inner Groove live at Fusion—the bar at Dwarika’s, Rs 599 includes a Mezza platter and a Margarita pitcher. 4479488 Woodfired Pizzas at Roadhouse Cafe, Thamel, 4262768, Bhatbhateni 4426587 and Pulchok. 5521755 AKA Pizza at Moksh, delivery available. 5526212 Cocktails and Mocktails Daily happy hour, 4-7PM at Kathmandu Revolving Restaurant, Ratna Plaza, New Road NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL The steady rise of the mercury since GETAWAYS the start of the month is a sign of Weekend package at Le Meridien Kathmandu Gokarna Forest things to come: winter, having Golf Resort and Spa, two nights three days at Rs 8,888 and one deposited historic snowfall on the KATHMANDU Valley this year, is beating a retreat, night two days at Rs 4,444. 4451212 and spring is in the air, with balmy Sun and Fun Three days and two nights package at Shangri-La breezes and brilliant cherry blossoms. Village Resort, Pokhara, Rs 7,499. 4412999 The days will be warm, evenings perfect for sitting out, and the mornings just fresh rather than chilly. Thursday g]kfnL For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] morning’s satellite picture shows clear skies over Nepal and Indo-Gangetic Daily plain. If the low-pressure trough over central Tibet grows stronger next week 20.45-21.15 on 102.4 while gathering clouds, fragmented layers of it could spill over into Nepal. But that, if it happens, will be early next week, so the weekend looks great. KATHMANDU VALLEY Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 24-8 25-7 25-7 24-8 23-9 [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org HAPPENINGS 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 15
KIRAN PANDAY WAVING THE FLAG: Norwegian Minister for International Development Erik Solheim, with Ambassador Tore Toreng, on his way to meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence on Wednesday. Norway granted $2 million for Nepal's peace process and promised more for development.
KIRAN PANDAY EVERY VOTE COUNTS: Rauni Haapamaki, Counsellor (Development) at the embassy of Finland voting by absentee ballot on Wednesday for Finland’s upcoming parliamentary election to be held on 18 March.
MIN BAJRACHARYA REWRITING HISTORY: Women cadre of the political parties march through the streets of Kathmandu on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March, with a diverse set of demands. 16 BACKSIDE 9 - 15 MARCH 2007 #339 What’s the plan, Gyan?
an’t envy Sitaula having to sit through a two-and-half-hour www.nepalitimes.com grilling at the kangresi central committee meeting last week. C The home minister had to listen to blistering personal attacks during which he was called a spokesperson for the Maoists. But Sitaula showed real thick skin because he kept mum and had the trademark grin on his face throughout the proceedings. He had earlier held a meeting with comrades-in-arms Prachanda and Lal Dhoj at the Himalaya Hotel to forge a broad agreement on the composition and timetable for an interim government. The Ass thinks the kangresi ministers doth complain too much. After all, if it hadn’t been for the home minister’s family links to Prachandaji the peace process probably would have been a lot bumpier. Krishna Prasad’s amiable personality and easy-going outlook helped him keep things on track despite allegations that he gave away too much to the Maoists. Slurp. He had Girijababu’s full blessings to do so, but with the American lobby in the cabinet and the First Daughter Girijaputri baying for his blood the frail prime minister is now under immense pressure to let Sitaula go. Not surprisingly, it is the Maobuddies and Lainchour that have saved Sitaula from the sack. The home minister’s game plan is to hang in there until the new government is formed in the next week or so. That way he doesn’t have to resign at all, and may even be re-inducted in the cabinet. FG Speaking of which, the Maoists have now reconciled themselves to not getting the deputy prime ministership and none of the top jobs: finance, home and defence. They want the Ministry of Forests. From the way they have been chopping down hardwood forests at Kumrose in Chitwan to sell off the timber, it looks like they are already rehearsing for the job. Did I hear someone say “campaign finance reform”? FG
Either the stress is taking its toll on Sri Teen Girija or he has made a full recovery from his hepatitis attack. Why else would the prime minister roar like a lion during his twice-postponed meeting with Prachandababu (and the ever-present Baburam by his coat-tails) on Sunday? The PM lost his temper when El Supremo tried to make excuses about his cadre flaunting weapons, roughing up madhesis and other bad behaviour. “If you keep being a smart alec we’ll send you back by helicopter to where we picked you up from,” is what the PM is supposed to have told the startled comrades. Now where did Girijababu get the oomph to say that? Meeting three ambassadors the previous day? FG Badly bruised by their mishandling of the tarai, the Maoists are trying to divert public attention back to 'Gyane Shahi'. The madhes unrest has given the king a sort of reprieve, and he is reportedly trying to muster support from an entire pantheon of Hindu godmen from Down South. The latest was the Art of Living tele-evangelist Ravi Shanker who flew into Kathmandu in his Learjet last week on a mission to save our one and only Hindu monarchy. The twin comrades Prachanda and Baburam were summoned to the Y&Y where the tv-baba gave them a proper dressing down. FG The Ass is not one to toot his own trumpet, but he must share the good news that he has been voted one of the 2,000 outstanding intellectuals of the 21st century by International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England. I know that a lot of you had hoped you’d be conferred this prestigious award, but all I can say to you losers is: “Better luck next time.” I’ve already sent the organisers $295 for a silver- finished Outstanding Intellectual Medal with my name engraved on it. All ass-licking and floral tributes to this email address:
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