DOCSLIB.ORG

Influence of Political Parties in Elections: Evidence from Nepal

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Influence of Political Parties in Elections: Evidence from Nepal ISSN 1712-8358[Print] Cross-Cultural Communication ISSN 1923-6700[Online] Vol. 9, No. 5, 2013, pp. 105-111 www.cscanada.net DOI:10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020130905.8250 www.cscanada.org Influence of Political Parties in Elections: Evidence from Nepal Md. Nurul Momen[a],* [a]Assistant professor. PhD. Department of Public Administration, Again, the people’s movement in 2006 brought Rajshahi University, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. about changes in Nepal. An interim constitution was Research areas: Public policy and law; Governance; Administrative reform promulgated in 2007, with the King giving up power, and *Corresponding author. an interim House of Representatives was formed with Maoist members after the new government held peace Received 12 July 2013; accepted 15 October 2013 talks with the Maoist rebels. In 2007, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) joined the interim government Abstract: of Nepal. On 10 December 2007, the interim parliament This article measures the influence of political party passed a bill that made Nepal a federal republic, and (with) variables on the electoral process in Nepal. In the findings, the Prime Minister becoming head of state. On 28 May in general, the research found that a free and fair election 2008, lawmakers in Nepal legally abolished the monarchy, in Nepal does not perform at par with their counterparts and declared the country a republic, ending 239 years of in the Western world. In Nepal, it is the confrontational royal rule in the Himalayan nation (International Crisis political culture among the political parties which is Group, 2008). challenging to ensure free and fair elections. In 2008 Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) elections Free and fair elections; Nepal and marked a major step forward to a federal democratic Key words: th political parties republic. On 10 April, 2008, the first election for the constitution assembly took place in Nepal (International Md. Nurul Momen (2013). Influence of Political Parties in Crisis Group, 2008).The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN- Elections: Evidence from Nepal. Cross-Cultural Communication, Maoist) led the election results, but failed to gain a simple 9(5), 105-111 . Available from: http//www.cscanada.net/index. majority in the parliament. However, Nepal has been php/ccc/article/view/j.ccc.19236700201309 05.8250. following national election since 1960, except during the DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/j.ccc.1923670020130905.8250. civil war there was no election (excluding the municipal election). After a long gap, Nepal managed to hold the election of the Constituent Assembly on April 10, 2008. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT The 2008 Constituent Assembly election transitioned Nepal from a monarchy to a parliamentary republic, and Nepal has seen rapid political changes during the last two gave an overwhelming victory to the Communist Party of decades. Until 1990, Nepal was a monarchy under the Nepal (Maoist) that ended the long civil war.2 executive control of the king. Faced with a movement against the absolute monarchy, King Birendra,1 in 1990, agreed to large-scale political reforms by creating a 1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY parliamentary monarchy with the king as the head of Qualitative research helps to give a real meaning of the state and a prime minister as the head of the government. research as well as a comprehensive study to analyze the findings. This approach does not make analyses, and 1 Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was a king of Nepal who succeeded in 1972. He reigned until his death in the 2001 Nepalese royal massacre. He is the most internationally well-known Nepalese king 2 Compiled from Comprehensive Peace Accord (2006) and Interim in the modern history. Constitution of Nepal (2007), and Election Legislation. 105 Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture Influence of Political Parties in Elections: Evidence from Nepal conclusions based on figures rather it is more explanatory aggregation and representation,” making them “the and exploratory. Therefore, I decided to employ institution which impact most directly on the extent qualitative approach in my research. to which social cleavages are translated into national Every research requires methodology to execute the politics” (Benjamin, 2008). However, political parties in study. In doing so, both historical and empirical data South Asia are often instead of acting as forces for good, was used. Historical data was mostly collected from intense conflicts between the parties. In South Asia, secondary sources, such as published books, reports, political parties look to each other parties with suspicion journals and articles. Empirical data was collected from and distrust. It has been observed in South Asia that the intensive fieldwork through interviews in Nepal from absence of consensus between the parties make hard to July 2011 to August 2011; however, many prominent reach a compromise on governance issues. personalities (11 respondents) from different categories It is cited that scholars found a strong relationship were invited for interview. Bureaucrats, social activists, between political parties and free and fair elections. For politicians, leaders of different social movement, example, political party determines which member of the professionals and other high ranking people of policy party will contest in the parliamentary elections. In the making level were the participants. I asked to different transitional democracies, the opposition parties can shift categories of respondents in Nepal about how political the politics from the Parliament to the street, and disrupt parties’ influence of institutionalizing free and fair public life and order. These practices can lead to political elections. instability, if it is forcefully handled instead of providing some avenues to ventilate their grievances. Furthermore, it is argued that if a political party commitment to 2. INTRODUCTION democratic ideals is not high, political parties can Norton (2000, p.8) argues out that political party is narrowly serve the interests of common people. crucial to political life and central to Westminster form Political parties seek to influence government of government, but excessive partisanship is harmful policies participating in the election. According to Law to limiting its capacity to call government into account (1997), political parties influence by attempting to elect (Rahman, 2005). The political confrontation among its candidate to the office. Furthermore, the party differs the parties tends to treat each other as enemies rather from other political parties in its mobilization capability than as opponents in Nepal. Furthermore, Nepal’s (Law, 1997). During a legislative election, the parties try political parties are still dominated by the upper castes to win support from their voters in order to legitimately and classes of society that have ruled the country for gain the power to influence the government decisions. centuries. Interestingly, in the outside, political parties/ There are some fundamental features of political parties politicians behave in a modern western way, but in their that vary from one polity to another. According to Lee minds, they are embedded in hierarchical thinking, and Shaw (1979, pp.392-393), these variations may be whose ideas are not equality and participation of all as to whether they are one, two or more than two major people (Kraemer, 1999). political parties. Whether the parties tend to be cohesive After the democratic era of 1990, mass people were or non-cohesive; and whether the leading parties are united to the call of political parties to fight against ideologically close or distant (Rahman, 2005). The the undemocratic practices that could not bring any presence, absence or blends of these characteristics qualitative political changes in the country. People help to determine the degree of party control over the expected that democracy would bring some changes in governance system in a country. society, but it noticeable that it did not work as people Political parties do not necessarily have to like each as hoped. It is noted that political parties are extremely other. But in the democratic system they must tolerate important for the consolidation of a free and fair to each other, and admit each other’s legitimacy. Unekis election. Therefore, this article tries to analyze about (1998, p.195) argues out that rival political parties face how political parties negatively influence the electoral each other from positions of strength (controlling either process in Nepal. in the Presidency or the Parliament) in a struggle for control over the development of public policy (Ibid). Although the basis of conflict between political parties 3. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN is competition for office, the adversarial relationship POLITICAL PARTIES AND FREE AND between the parties is in their nature. The conflict between the political parties may occur at any time. FAIR ELECTIONS But it is especially occurring during the elections. Each Political party is the functioning of the state; therefore, party is not only trying to advance its political mandate free and fair elections depend on how political parties at the expense of the others, but in many cases, to operate in a country. Benjamin (2008) describes political prevent the opposing views from being given a voice parties as; “the key agents of political articulation, before the electorate. Copyright © Canadian Academy of Oriental and Occidental Culture 106 Md. Nurul Momen (2013). Cross-Cultural Communication, 9(5),
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “Post-Conflict” Economic Recovery? Perspectives from Nepal
    STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF PEACEBUILDING CASE STUDY SERIES What role for business in “post-conflict” economic recovery? Perspectives from Nepal Lindsay Alexander, Canan Gündüz, DB Subedi Understanding conflict. Building peace. About International Alert International Alert is an independent peacebuilding organisation that has worked for over 20 years to lay the foundations for lasting peace and security in communities affected by violent conflict. Our multifaceted approach focuses both in and across various regions; aiming to shape policies and practices that affect peacebuilding; and helping build skills and capacity through training. Our field work is based in Africa, South Asia, the South Caucasus, Latin America, Lebanon and the Philippines. Our thematic projects work at local, regional and international levels, focusing on cross- cutting issues critical to building sustainable peace. These include business and economy, gender, governance, aid, security and justice. We are one of the world’s leading peacebuilding NGOs with more than 120 staff based in London and our 11 field offices. For more information, please visit www.international-alert.org What role for business in “post-conflict” economic recovery? Perspectives from Nepal Lindsay Alexander, Canan Gündüz, DB Subedi March 2009 2 Strengthening the Economic Dimensions of Peacebuilding – Case Study Series Strengthening the economic dimensions of peacebuilding – about the project This series of four country case studies explores the ways in which the economic causes, drivers and impacts of conflict have been tackled in different ways in different conflict-affected countries where Alert works. The aim is to encourage cross-country learning, and inform what has become a vibrant international debate in the last few years on how to adapt economic development interventions to conflict contexts, in a way that makes them conflict-sensitive, and able to support longer-term peacebuilding.
    [Show full text]
  • The United Nations Mine Action Service Annual Report 2008
    THE UNITED NATIONS MINE ACTION SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms 3 Foreword 6 A. FRAMEWORKS 7 1. Normative Frameworks 7 a. Integrating mine action concerns across the UN system b. Mine action on the agendas of the General Assembly and Security Council 7 c. Effective coordination: The Inter-Agency Policy for Mine Action 8 d. The United Nations Inter-Agency Mine Action Strategy: 2006-2010 8 2. Coordination and Consultation Mechanisms 9 a. The Inter-Agency Coordination Group for Mine Action 9 b. The Committee on Mine Action 10 c. The Mine Action Support Group 10 d. Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 11 e. Integrating mine action into humanitarian appeals 11 f. 11th International Meeting of National Mine Action Directors and UN 12 Advisers 3. Operational Frameworks 12 a. Integrating mine action into humanitarian and development programming 12 b. The framework for mine action planning and rapid response 13 c. Assisting victims and survivors and reducing risks 16 B. SHAPING POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR MINE ACTION 17 1. Treaties 17 a. Advocacy 17 b. The Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty 17 c. The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons 18 d. The legal framework for cluster munitions: The Convention on Certain 20 Conventional Weapons and the Oslo Process e. Similarities and differences between the Convention on Certain 22 Conventional Weapons and the Oslo Process f. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 26 g. Engaging non-state actors 27 2. Gender and Mine Action 28 C. COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC AND OTHER CONSTITUENCIES 34 D.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Programme Between Finland and Nepal
    EVALUATION Evaluation Country Programme between NE p AL COUNTRY pROGRAMME pROGRAMME AL COUNTRY Finland and Nepal Development evaluation P.O. Box 451 00023 GOVERNMENT Telefax: (+358 9) 1605 5987 Operator: (+358 9) 16005 http://formin.finland.fi Email: [email protected] Evaluation report 2012:2 2012:2 MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND REPORT 2012:2 Country Programme between Finland and Nepal REPORT 2009:4 Meta-analysis of Development Cooperation on HIV /AIDS ISBN: 978-951-724-987-4 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-988-1 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 ISBN: 978-951-724-769-6 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-770 2 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 REPORT 2012:1 Country Programme between Finland and Nicaragua REPORT 2009:3 Support to Development Research ISBN: 978-951-724-983-6 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-984-3 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 ISBN: 978-951-724-755-9 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-756 6 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 REPORT 2011:5 Junior Professional Officer Programme of Finland REPORT 2009:2 Agriculture and Rural Development. A Preliminary Study ISBN: 978-951-724-966-9 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-967-6 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 ISBN: 978-951-724-746 7- (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-747 4 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 REPORT 2011:4 Finnish Aid for Trade REPORT 2009:1 Finland´s Development Cooperation in Central Asia and South Caucasus ISBN: 978-951-724-964-5 (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-965-2 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 ISBN: 978-951-724-728 3- (printed), ISBN: 978-951-724-729 0 (pdf), ISSN: 1235-7618 REPORT 2011:3 VERIFIN Training Programme on Verification of Chemical Weapons
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Country Review
    Nepal 2016 Country Review http://www.countrywatch.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 1 Country Overview 1 Country Overview 2 Key Data 3 Nepal 4 Asia 5 Chapter 2 7 Political Overview 7 History 8 Political Conditions 10 Political Risk Index 53 Political Stability 67 Freedom Rankings 82 Human Rights 94 Government Functions 97 Government Structure 100 Principal Government Officials 112 Leader Biography 113 Leader Biography 114 Foreign Relations 116 National Security 123 Defense Forces 127 Chapter 3 129 Economic Overview 129 Economic Overview 130 Nominal GDP and Components 132 Population and GDP Per Capita 134 Real GDP and Inflation 135 Government Spending and Taxation 136 Money Supply, Interest Rates and Unemployment 137 Foreign Trade and the Exchange Rate 138 Data in US Dollars 139 Energy Consumption and Production Standard Units 140 Energy Consumption and Production QUADS 142 World Energy Price Summary 143 CO2 Emissions 144 Agriculture Consumption and Production 145 World Agriculture Pricing Summary 147 Metals Consumption and Production 148 World Metals Pricing Summary 151 Economic Performance Index 152 Chapter 4 164 Investment Overview 164 Foreign Investment Climate 165 Foreign Investment Index 167 Corruption Perceptions Index 180 Competitiveness Ranking 192 Taxation 201 Stock Market 201 Partner Links 202 Chapter 5 203 Social Overview 203 People 204 Human Development Index 206 Life Satisfaction Index 210 Happy Planet Index 221 Status of Women 230 Global Gender Gap Index 232 Culture and Arts 242 Etiquette 242 Travel Information 243 Diseases/Health Data 253 Chapter 6 259 Environmental Overview 259 Environmental Issues 260 Environmental Policy 261 Greenhouse Gas Ranking 262 Global Environmental Snapshot 273 Global Environmental Concepts 284 International Environmental Agreements and Associations 299 Appendices 323 Bibliography 324 Nepal Chapter 1 Country Overview Nepal Review 2016 Page 1 of 336 pages Nepal Country Overview NEPAL Landlocked Nepal is located in the Himalayan Mountains of South Asia, between two giant neighbors – China and India.
    [Show full text]
  • NEPAL DISASTER REPORT 2011 Policies, Practices and Lessons
    Cover Photo: Training on search and rescue techniques using local resources, Kailali district Photo Courtesy: Mercy Corps Government of Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs NEPAL DISASTER REPORT 2011 Policies, Practices and Lessons Empowered lives. Resilient nations. Editorial Board Amod Mani Dixit Bishal Nath Upreti, Ph.D. Deepak Paudel Pitambar Aryal Pradip Kumar Koirala Shyam Sundar Jnavaly Surya Narayan Shrestha Contributors Bhubaneswari Parajuli Bijay Krishna Upadhyay Gopi Krishna Basyal Khadga Sen Oli Nisha Shrestha Niva Upreti Suraj Shrestha Suresh Chaudhary Reviewers Meen B. Poudyal Chhetri, Ph.D. Ramesh Guragain Design and Layout Chandan Dhoj Rana Magar Published by Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Government of Nepal; and Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-Nepal) with support from United Nations Development Programme Nepal (UNDP), ActionAid Nepal and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) This publication is copyright. But any part of this publication may be cited, copied, translated into other languages or adapted to meet local needs without prior permission from Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-Nepal) provided that the source is clearly stated. The opinions and recommendations expressed or mentioned in this report do not necessarily represent the official position and policy of the Ministry of Home Affairs and DPNet-Nepal. ISBN: 978-99933-710-1-4 To order Nepal Disaster Report 2011, Contact Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-Nepal) C/O NRCS, Red Cross Road, Kalimati Phone: 977 01 6226613, 977 01 4672165; Fax no: 977 01 4672165 Email: [email protected]; Website: http://www.dpnet.org.np Foreword | iii Acknowledgement | v Editorial NEPAL DISASTER REPORT 2011 Policies, Practices and Lessons tries to become a compendium of understanding, concepts, experiences and lessons of disaster risk management (DRM) and emergency response planning and capacity building in Nepal.
    [Show full text]
  • 411 1 - 7 August 2008 16 Pages Rs 30
    #411 1 - 7 August 2008 16 pages Rs 30 Weekly Internet Poll # 411 Q. How do you characterise the Maoist decision not to form the new government? Total votes: 5,398 Weekly Internet Poll # 412. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. At this rate, can the new constitution be written in two years? ROBIN SAYAMI z Why not have Ram Bahadur nurturing one’s languages, culture Thapa as prime minister instead and self-esteem. of Prachanda or Baburam? He is Dhirendra Premarshi in Kantipur not tainted, we don’t know of him p5 visiting embassies, he is clean. Torn apart He is even good-looking. z How is Hindi a Nepali Interview with Madhab Nepal language when Pahadis use it to z Let’s face it, it’s not original z President Yadav’s attempt to p2 communicate in the Tarai, but is an anymore to fight just for the rights become a Nepali is admirable, but Indian language when Madhesis of one’s community. The way to many more Madhesis would z I do come from an area where use it to speak to each other or in build a new Nepal is for Pahadis prefer to be known as Nepalis for Maithali is used, my wife speaks public? to also champion the cause of the what they are rather than what Bhojpuri. What language do you Prashant Jha in Plain Speaking Madhesis and understand their they have to become to be think we use to communicate with p10 historical sense of injustice. recognised as such. each other? Editorial CK Lal in State of the State Interview with Paramananda Jha z “I feel that I was stopped from p2 p2 in Naya Patrika heading the new government and p5 participating in the Summit as it was feared that a new message z If taking an oath in Nepali was would be disseminated to the a problem, it should have been world through my address.” taken in the mother tongue.
    [Show full text]
  • Developing a Disaster Management Framework for News Production in Nepal”
    “Developing a disaster management framework for news production in Nepal” A qualitative study on Nepalese media portrayal of disaster events using news frames and PPRR cycle of disaster management” Bharat Raj Poudel Master of Community Development (MCD)-(SCU-AUS), Master of Sociology Anthropology (TU-Nepal) Supervisors Prof. Gerard FitzGerald School of Public Health & Social Work, QUT Prof. Michele Clark School of Public Health & Social Work, QUT Dr. Amisha Mehta Senior Lecturer, QUT Business School, Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, QUT External Supervisor: Professor Meen Bahadur Poudyal Chhetri Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Health, School of Public Health & Social Work Queensland University of Technology 2016 i Abstract Nepal, due to its topography and changing climate conditions, faces continuing threats of natural hazards. The effects of these disasters are devastating and result in human and infrastructure losses. Nepal ranks in the 11th position in terms of disaster risk as a whole, and ranks in the 12th position in human exposure to floods out of 162 countries. Nepal has faced nearly 13,500 disaster events in the last century, with significant human casualties and enormous economic losses. Nepalese news media have underreported disasters despite the frequent occurrence of natural disasters in the country, and whenever a disaster is reported it seems to lack a developmental, social responsibility and particular media management framework, guidelines or model. Moreover, the news media in Nepal tend to focus story coverage on current affairs, politics, business, technology, and the arts etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Text Chapter 1
    2010 SUSTAINING RECOVERY AND DYNAMISM FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations and serves as the main economic and social development centre for the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific. Its mandate is to foster cooperation between its 53 members and 9 associate members. ESCAP provides the strategic link between global and country-level programmes and issues. It supports Governments of countries in the region in consolidating regional positions and advocates regional approaches to meeting the region’s unique socio-economic challenges in a globalizing world. The ESCAP office is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Please visit the ESCAP website at www.unescap.org for further information. The shaded areas of the map indicate ESCAP members and associate members. The cover design concept The vertical structures (red and green) represent patterns of development pursued in the past. The inability to return to ‘business as usual’ in the aftermath of the crisis has led to a discussion on the need for a rebalancing in favour of greater domestic and regional demand. The Survey argues that this could be achieved through more inclusive and sustainable growth. This is represented by the orange structure which is horizontal and wider, thus more stable and durable, signifying inclusiveness and sustainability whereas vertical structures strive upwards monolithically, leaving out people, ideas and issues. Design by Marie Ange Sylvain-Holmgren 2010 SUSTAINING RECOVERY AND DYNAMISM FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SURVEY OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 2010 Sustaining Recovery and Dynamism for Inclusive Development United Nations publication Sales No. E.10.II.F.2 Copyright © United Nations 2010 All rights reserved Manufactured in Thailand ISBN: 978-92-1-120592-3 ISSN: 0252-5704 ST/ESCAP/2547 This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is acknowledged.
    [Show full text]
  • Greed, Grief, a Gift. War-Traumatized Women and Contextualizing Expressive Arts Therapy
    Lingnan University Digital Commons @ Lingnan University Theses & Dissertations Department of Cultural Studies 2016 Greed, grief, a gift. War-traumatized women and contextualizing expressive arts therapy Sjoukje Marloes VAN HOUTEN Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.ln.edu.hk/cs_etd Part of the Critical and Cultural Studies Commons Recommended Citation Van Houten, S. M. (2016). Greed, grief, a gift. War-traumatized women and contextualizing expressive arts therapy (Doctor's thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from http://commons.ln.edu.hk/ cs_etd/31/ This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Cultural Studies at Digital Commons @ Lingnan University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Lingnan University. Terms of Use The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved. GREED, GRIEF, A GIFT. WAR-TRAUMATIZED WOMEN AND CONTEXTUALIZING EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY VAN HOUTEN SJOUKJE MARLOES PHD LINGNAN UNIVERSITY 2016 GREED, GRIEF, A GIFT. WAR-TRAUMATIZED WOMEN AND CONTEXTUALIZING EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY by VAN HOUTEN Sjoukje Marloes A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Studies Lingnan University 2016 ABSTRACT Greed, Grief, A Gift. War-Traumatized Women And Contextualizing Expressive Arts Therapy by VAN HOUTEN Sjoukje Marloes Doctor of Philosophy This dissertation explores the universality of trauma-storing in the body and the need for contextualization when it comes to treatment. Of the two central themes addressed, the first is war-related trauma and the intersection of expressive arts therapy and South (East) Asia (Nepal and Hong Kong in particular) with its specific imagery, art, and culture, and to see how both feed into each another and can transform as a result.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2009
    PANTONE 144 PANTONE 144 Annual Report 2009 Contents/Foreword Foreword Table of contents Human rights defenders are key actors in the rule of law, Foreword 2 the struggle against impunity and the establishment of democracy in any society. They sometimes have to work Focus clandestinely, often at the risk of their own lives and “off the radar” of mainstream media. Israel Carías assassination trial: hints of justice in Guatemala 4 2009 has been another very challenging year for human rights defenders. Unfortunately, the number of “The lack of legal support for the agrarian struggle is a major problem”, cases of harassment, threats, forced disappearances interview with Claudia Samayoa, and assassinations remained very high over these director of UDEFEGUA 6 twelve months. In Colombia, defenders have deliberately been accused of Protection collaborating with guerrillas, leading to systematic What is a Protection Desk? 7 stigmatization, noted by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Margaret Sekaggya AFricA as one of the essential causes for defenders’ insecurity in dr congo: Journalists and human the country. In Burundi, Ernest Manirumva, a prominent rights defenders in danger 8 defender from the anti-corruption organization uganda: Sexual minorities OLUCOME, was stabbed to death at his home in April defenders at risk 10 and his colleagues who led the campaign “Justice for uganda: 10 years after Ernest Manirumva” consequently received serious death Johannesburg, challenges remain 12 threats. In the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, impunity prevailed for the murders of the LAtin AmericA journalists Serge Maheshe, Didace Namujimbo, Bruno Honduras: E-Defenderh, a new space Cirambiza and the human right defender Pascal to protect human rights defenders 13 Kabungulu.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaster-Mgmt-Ref-Hdbk-2012-Nepal.Pdf (English)
    Table of Contents Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………3 Disaster Management in Nepal……………………………………………………………..8 Disaster Profile……………………………………………………………………….9 Laws, Polices, and Plans on Disaster Management…………………..…..……..22 Organizational Structure of Disaster Management…………………………........37 Key National & Regional Agencies in Disaster & Hazard Management…..........43 Key US Government Agencies and Programs in Nepal………………………….73 Early Warning Systems…………………………………….………………………..81 Key Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief and Development Organizations in Nepal................................................................................................................................83 United Nations………………………………………………………………….…….85 International Organizations and NGOs…………………………………………….119 National (Nepal) NGOs……………………………………………………………...176 Country Background…………………………………………………………………………197 Geography…………………………………………………………………………....199 People and Society…………………………………………...………………………200 Government…………………………………………………………………………..204 Economy………………………………………………………………………………207 Transportation…………………………………………………………………………213 Military………………………………………………………………………………….213 Transnational Issues…………………………………………………………………..214 Sources/References/Further Reading………………………………………………………..215 2 Executive Summary Nepal is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. It is affected by many different types of natural disasters each year, such as flooding, drought, landslides, wildfires, windstorms, hailstorms, thunderstorms, global lake outburst floods,
    [Show full text]
  • Open 2.23.2012 Dissertation.Pdf
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Agricultural Science GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEPAL A Dissertation in Rural Sociology by Atsuko Nonoguchi Copyright 2012 Atsuko Nonoguchi Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2012 The dissertation of Atsuko Nonoguchi was reviewed and approved* by the following: Carolyn Sachs Professor of Rural Sociology and Women’s Studies Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Leif Jensen Professor of Rural Sociology and Demography Clare Hinrichs Associate Professor of Rural Sociology Nancy Tuana Professor of Philosophy Ann Tickamyer Professor of Rural Sociology Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School. ii ABSTRACT Climate change discourses, including Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, have focused on differential climatic risks and impacts among different social groups of people. From a gender perspective, women in developing countries are considered more vulnerable than men due to their limited access to resources in relative to men. However, overemphasis on women’s limited resources or lower capacities often leads to the stereotyped view of women as helpless victims and undermines their coping strategies. It is also problematic to view women as a universal group of the vulnerable, ignoring the intersection of gender with other socioeconomic factors of class, caste/ethnicity, and age. Findings from the author’s field research in two flood-prone communities in Nepal in 2009 show some key implications of gender and climate change. In these sites, vulnerability and adaptive capacity were firmly shaped by the structural inequality of gender, caste/ethnicity, and age.
    [Show full text]