Agreement between the
Government and Janajatis
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(7 August 2007/ 22
Saun 2064)
1. While nominating candidates for the
first-past-the-post electoral system arranged for the constituent assembly
election in the present constitution, candidacy will be determined so as to
ensure proportional representation of all castes and janajatis.
2. While preparing a proportional list, all
political parties participating in the election will make arrangements to
ensure representation of each of the listed indigenous janajati communities.
3. In case a listed indigenous janajati
group is unable to secure its representation through both electoral systems,
the Government of Nepal and the eight parties will reach a mutually
acceptable conclusion in order to ensure that there is at least one
representative of such a group and that the representation is legal and
constitutional.
4. A state restructuring commission will
soon be formed to present recommendations to the constituent assembly
regarding a federal state structure based on ethnicity, language, geographic
region, economic indicators and cultural distinctiveness while keeping
national unity, integrity and sovereignty of Nepal at the forefront. The
commission will include indigenous janajatis, Madhesis, dalits, women and
eminent experts from various groups, regions and communities.
5. A commission for indigenous janajatis
will be formed.
6. While so far only Nepali has been
recognised as the government's official language, the constituent assembly
will also make arrangements to give recognition to locally spoken mother
tongues along with Nepali. The government will remain committed towards
ensuring linguistic rights of its citizens.
7. Arrangements will be made for the general
public to seek and receive information on matters of public importance,
including the constituent assembly, in their respective mother tongues.
8. The Government of Nepal has agreed in
principle that all groups, genders, communities, castes and ethnicities
should be represented in political parties at all levels. A fully
representative task-force will be formed immediately to conduct a study in
order to ensure inclusive participation and proportional representation of
all castes, ethnicities, groups, communities, genders and regions in all
bodies and levels of the state.
9. All sectors will take initiatives to
practically implement their legal and policy-level commitments to ensuring
inclusive and proportional representation of all genders, classes, regions
and communities, including indigenous janajatis in all bodies and levels of
state.
10. A system will gradually be developed to receive advice and
consultation from concerned groups and bodies while making important
decisions regarding various groups, regions, genders and communities,
including indigenous janajatis.
11. Arrangements will be made to immediately pass the proposal to
ratify and adopt Convention 169 of the International Labour
Organisation.
12. Appropriate steps will be immediately taken to complete the
necessary legal process for adopting the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
13. A District Coordination Committee for indigenous janajatis will
be formed in a democratic and transparent manner. Also, high importance will
be given to the involvement of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous
Nationalities and the National Federation of Indigenous Women in this
process.
14. In keeping with the spirit and sentiment of gender mainstreaming
in development plans and programmes, including interim planning, and paying
attention to women and diversity in programme implementation and profit
sharing, emphasis will be laid upon participation of women from indigenous
janajati, dalit and Madhesi groups.
15. As party to the Convention on Biodiversity, the country will
ensure that the traditional knowledge, skills, practices and technology of
indigenous janajatis are harnessed and preserved.
16. The country will honour the renowned geographer Dr. Harka
Gurung.
17. Arrangements will be made to provide Rs. 1 million each as
relief and compensation to the families of all the Nepalis who died in the
helicopter crash in Ghunsa, Taplejung.
18. The process started by the government to find a permanent
solution to the problems faced by freed kamaiyas (bonded labourers) will be
taken forward in an effective manner as per the agreement.
19. The government will make a serious effort to reach an agreement
for addressing the demands of various groups and communities, including
Madhesis, women and dalits through talks and discussions with the respective
groups.
20. Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Indigenous
Nationalities Joint Struggle Committee and National Indigenous Women
Federation request all indigenous communities in the country to unite for the
success of the upcoming constituent assembly election.
- Ram Chandra Poudel, Coordinator,
Government Talks Team
- Dr. Om Gurung, Coordinator, Nepal
Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
- KB Gurung, Coordinator, Indigenous
Nationalities Joint Struggle Committee
[Translated from Kantipur,
Wednesday, 8 August 2007 (23 Saun 2064); Year 15, Issue 171, Page 7]
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