Envoys urge political parties for renewed progress on peace process

Kathmandu, 21 November, (Asiantribune.com): A group of the heads of diplomatic missions in Nepal on Friday urged all political parties in the country to fully abide by the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) reached between the then Seven Political Party and the Maoists and ‘rededicate’ themselves to their commitments to the people.

Issuing a joint statement on the third anniversary of the CPA reached between the government and the former rebels, the envoys also expressed concerns about the government’s apathy towards addressing the conflict-era human rights violations and tackle the continuing state of impunity in the Himalayan nation.

Those issuing the joint statement include Australia, Denmark, European Commission, Finland, France, Germany, Isarel, Japan, Netherland, Norway, South Korea, the UK and the USA.

The appeal comes amidst concerns from various quarters that the parties to the decade-long armed conflict were not serious about implementing the peace accord reached before.

“We note that the Constituent Assembly has fallen behind schedule and that there is so far no agreement on the future structure of governance in Nepal,” reads the statement. “A failure to agree on a vision for the future and to draft the constitution on time will be clear disregard to the expectations and aspirations of Nepal’s citizens and will setback the country’s economic and social development.”

The envoys also expressed concern about the prolonged delay in the integration and rehabilitation of 19,000-plus Maoist combatants. They have asked the parties to keep aside their differences and agree to work together to create a more ‘prosperous’, ‘equitable’ and ‘democratitic’ Nepal.

There have been apprehensions from various quarters that the already precarious peace process in the country could hit a roadblock as the differences between the Maoists and other political parties are growing lately.

The former rebels, who fought a decade-long civil war with the state before getting majority seats in the Constituent Assembly held in April, 2008, stepped down from the government in May 2009 after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav reinstated then army chief Rookmangud Katawal sacked by the Maoist-led government.

Since then, the Maoists have been launching a series of protest programs demanding a public apology from the president. The Maoists have also put forth demand of forming national government under their leadership, dismissing the current Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government.

The decade-long Maoist insurgency that began in 1996 claimed the lives of some 15,000 people in the Himalayan nation sandwitched between India and China.

- Asian Tribune -