|
On
February 1, 2005, King Gyanendra dismissed the Government headed by Prime
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and imposed a state of Emergency in Nepal.
Presented below is the full text of his proclamation:
|
(Unofficial Translation)
PROCLAMATION TO THE NATION FROM HIS MAJESTY KING GYANENDRA BIR
BIKRAM SHAH DEV
(February 1, 2005)
Beloved Countrymen,
1. The Kingdom of Nepal was built on the foundations of the
unification process initiated by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great. It is
well known that to reign in accordance with the people's aspirations, our
forefathers initiated revolutionary measures of historic importance, ensuring a
bright future of the nation and her people. History is witness to the fact that
both the Nepalese people and the King have, in unison, played decisive roles in
each and every period of the Kingdom's process of unification, democratisation
and modernisation.
2. Today, we have once again reached a juncture where, in
keeping with popular aspirations, a historic decision must be taken to defend
multiparty democracy by restoring peace for the nation and people. Even when
bloodshed, violence and devastation has pushed the country on the brink of
destruction, those engaged in politics in the name of the country and people
continue to shut their eyes to their welfare. Tussle for power, abuse of
authority on gaining power and unhealthy competition in fulfilling personal and
communal interests at the expense of the nation and citizenry contributed to
the further deterioration in the situation. There were attempts to flout the
universally accepted rule of law in the name of politics. Our desire to ensure
social, political and economic justice for our beloved people through the
meaningful exercise of multiparty democracy could not be materialised. There
was a steady rise in crimes against the nation and people, including
destruction of development infrastructures constructed for the people's
benefit. Whereas all democratic forces should have adopted an unified approach
against terrorism, leaders instead continued their tussle for power,
encouraging simple political workers to vandalise public utilities in the name
of politics. Faced with this steadily declining situation, it is now time to
bring to an end the ongoing acts of terrorist violence and pledge, in earnest,
to fulfill the people's aspirations with the restoration of peace and security
in the country.
Beloved countrymen,
3. Democracy and progress always complement each other. But,
Nepal's bitter experiences over the past few years tend to show that democracy
and progress contradict one another. Multiparty democracy was discredited by
focusing solely on power politics. Parliament witnessed many aberrations in the
name of retaining and ousting governments. Not a single House of
Representatives was allowed to complete its tenure. Continuous confusion and
disorder resulted in the obstruction of the democratic process. While the
people's aspirations continued to be shattered and their trust trampled on,
they became increasingly disenchanted with democracy itself. After being
incapable of holding elections, there were conspiracies to form undemocratic
governments, which would be responsible to no one. There was also a written
consensus amongst all political parties on vacuuming the people's
representatives out but they could not see eye to eye when it came to working
together in filling this void. The participation and concurrence of political
parties in making way for a form of governance, which negated popular
representation, was against the people's wishes and norms and spirit of
multiparty democracy. So, we appealed to all those who have faith in democracy
with the intention of activating, at the earliest, the system of popular
representation. We also met a number of times with members of the general
public, senior citizens, representatives of the civil society and leaders of
political parties in our effort to gauze the popular mandate and try to
convince them of the country's requirements and people's aspirations. We
reminded them that the only wish of the Nepalese people and friends of Nepal
was to bring to an end the ongoing violence and destructive activities and
return peace and tranquility to the country without any further delay. In order
to conduct the general elections in an environment of peace and security,
opportunities were given to leaders of various political parties to constitute
the Council of Ministers, with executive power. But the situation did not
improve. National politics was plagued by not uniting in running the government
but opposing it on being ousted from it. No serious efforts were made to
attenuate the real threat posed against democracy by terrorism in the form of a
single-party autocracy. The habit of passing carefree remarks on matters of
national security continued. Political parties were unable to display
responsible behavior in augmenting the patriotic fervour of our dutiful
security personnel, who are active round the clock in ensuring security of the
nation and people. Multiparty democrats could not sincerely unite, with
national interest as the focal point, to forever end the cycle of devastation
being lashed out against the nation and people. Likewise, political parties
also could not identify national priorities in keeping with the people's
aspirations.
4. Throughout history, the Nepalese people never had to bear the
burden of such terrorism, agony and exploitation. No democracy has ever had to
go through such a dismal situation, where the innocent are punished by criminals,
people whose property is seized and innocent children, women and the elderly
who are mercilessly killed by criminals cannot receive any kind of protection
from those who govern in their name and parties who claim to represent the
people do not act in their defence. The nefarious designs of an individual or
group, negating the wishes of the Nepalese people as well as the national
interest and acting through sponsored mobs, cannot form our national agenda.
Conscientiousness towards our responsibility to the future of the country and
people has nudged us many a time. Circumstances have reached such a critical
stage that it has now become imperative for us to take a decision in the
greater interest of the nation and people in accordance with their aspirations.
Beloved Countrymen,
5. Nepal's independence, national unity and sovereignty are best
safeguarded by the intimate relationship between the King and people. An
Institution of Monarchy ever devoted to the country and people and a people
with an innate love for their land is the glorious history of the Kingdom of
Nepal, its present and also its future. In keeping with this glorious
tradition, popular will as always remained the guiding light for Nepal's
Monarchy. We are committed to social justice; totalitarianism and authoritarianism
are entirely inconsistent with the Monarchial traditions of the Shah Dynasty.
We are convinced of the fact that the Nepalese people have deep faith in and
are firmly committed to Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy. We
believe that centralisation of authority is against democratic norms. We feel
that a meaningful exercise in democracy can take place only when elected
representatives at all levels are given their share in the governance of the
country in accordance with the principles of separation of powers. It is our
desire that, while no Nepalese should experience pain or suffering, every
citizen should have unfettered access to social, economic and political
justice. We strongly believe that the people should always feel that their wishes
are being fully honoured and their interests completely protected in the
governance of the country. It is our desire to ensure that the Kingdom of Nepal
forges ahead towards the creation of a mature democracy and welfare society
with the collective judgment, understanding and farsightedness of all patriotic
democrats. We are confident that there can never be any differences among
democrats on achieving the fundamental objectives of national welfare.
6. We have no interest other than the restoration of sustainable
peace and exercise in meaningful democracy for the welfare of Nepal and
Nepalese people. Monarchy is guided not by a cheap popularity but by the
overall welfare and continued progress of Nepal and her people. Everyone should
respect the people's desire for effective reforms. Let no Nepalese feel
compelled to take up arms as a means of expressing frustration or
disenchantment. At the same time, it must be ensured that every citizen has the
opportunity to express discontent effectively without jeopardizing social
harmony. It is clear that what the people want are a meaningful exercise in
democracy, an effective market economy, good governance, transparency and a
corruption-free rule of law. Our only wish is to guarantee our people's
happiness through democracy, instill hope among the youth for a brighter future
and to ensure dignity for Nepal amongst the comity of nations. Equal
opportunities for the development of all our languages, peoples and their
cultures alone can preserve and consolidate the Kingdom's distinct
characteristics.
7. Contrary to the wishes of the Nepalese people, on whom
sovereignty is vested, no serious efforts were made towards initiating
elections to the House of Representatives within the year 2061 B.S. by
maintaining, to the extent possible, peace and security. Instead of preparing
the electorate and political parties for the elections and laying the necessary
legal, managerial and technical groundwork, time was wasted on paying only lip
service on the urgency of holding elections. As it is our responsibility to
preserve our nationalism, national unity and sovereignty, as well as to
maintain peace and security in the country and ensure that the state of the
nation does not deteriorate any further, we have, by virtue of the State Authority
as exercised by us and in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution of the
Kingdom of Nepal – 1990, taking into consideration Article 27 (3) of the
Constitution, dissolved, effective from today, the current Council of Ministers
to fulfill the people's desire for the restoration of peace and security and to
activate soon the democratic dispensation. The Council of Ministers to be
constituted will be under our Chairmanship. This Council of Ministers will give
utmost priority to reactivating multiparty democracy in the country within
three years with the implementation of effective reforms by restoring peace and
security.
Beloved countrymen,
8. Only a meaningful multiparty democracy can be an effective
means of governance by the people. A successful multiparty democracy alone is
synonymous with people's democracy. Such a system, which is people-oriented,
mature, cultured and refined, has been disrupted. Terrorising the innocent
population, extorting money through intimidation, brutally murdering those who
dissent, kidnapping students and perpetrating atrocities against teachers,
making false promises to simple people and destroying development projects
aimed at the people's welfare are crimes against the nation and people, which
have to be brought to an immediate end. From now on, such crimes will be dealt
with firmly in accordance with the law. Our security forces have been mobilised
to carry out their responsibilities more effectively to end terrorism and
restore peace and security in the interest of the nation and people. All the
organs of the state must remain alert in honouring and upholding human rights.
However, it will be unfair to put the state and terrorists on equal footing. We
are confident that all peace-loving Nepalese who have faith in democracy will,
as always, continue to cooperate with the security forces in maintaining peace
and tranquility.
9. We call upon all those who have gone astray, taking up arms
against the nation and people, and those who are engaged in criminal activities
against peace and democracy to return to the mainstream of national politics
peacefully. Ensuring opportunities to freely express one's views with
patriotism as the focal point, fulfilling one's aspirations and contributing to
the welfare of the nation and people are the inherent features of multiparty
democracy. We assure all those who avail of this opportunity to join the
national mainstream that the state will give them opportunities and rights
equal to those enjoyed by all our citizens, without any discrimination
whatsoever; neither the people nor the law will tolerate any terrorist
activities against the state or its citizens.
Beloved countrymen,
10. We would like to thank all the friendly nations who have
generously supported us, appreciating our commitment to fight terrorism, as
well as donors and international financial institutions that have rendered
invaluable assistance in our development endeavours. Even the world's
democracies are presently faced with the threat of terrorism, which cannot be
confined within geographical boundaries. The world community has in fact
realised that the more secure, stable and prosperous the smaller nations
become, the more secure, stable and prosperous will the region and the world as
a whole be. Nepal is, therefore, committed to eliminating terrorism in her own
interest as well as in the interest of democracies around the world. Nepal
aspires for peace - for herself, her neighbours and South Asia - and to rid the
world of the threat to peace.
11. While expressing our unflinching faith in multiparty
democracy, we would like to mention that economic and institutional reforms
will continue. Efforts at reforms in the utilisation of public expenditure and
public service delivery will be made more effective. Banking discipline will be
restored. Measures will be adopted towards the effective implementation of the
poverty reduction strategy and the anti-corruption drive. Sustainable
development is now our national agenda. No one will be allowed to jeopadise the
people's security and the future of democracy. Nepal will not allow terrorists
to use her territory against herself or against any other friendly nation. In
our ties with other countries, emphasis will be laid on fostering constructive
relations based on mutual benefit and pragmatism.
12. Corruption, which has been continuously spreading its
tentacles, has not only cast a shadow over politics and administration, but has
also obstructed the nation's march towards progress. Corruption has struck at
the very core of our society, the result of which the common man's confidence
in the laws of the land has been shaken. Therefore, in keeping with the popular
will and to fulfill the main criterion of good governance, effective measures
will be adopted to curb corruption, while ensuring that the principles of
justice are not infringed upon.
13. It is our desire that democracy be a way of life, politics
be conducted in keeping with democratic norms and values, people from all
strata of society honestly adhere to democratic ideals and everyone be guided
by the interest of the country and people. All Nepalese wish to see our country
as a progressive nation, occupying a pride of place in the international
community, where democratic ideals thrive in a peaceful environment. It is our
belief that upholding human rights not only preserves and promotes democratic
values but also enhances a way of life and civilisational values commensurate
with the 21st century.
Beloved countrymen,
14. Our decision should leave no room for confusion amongst the
security personnel and civil servants in discharge of their duties and
responsibilities. Today, it is we Nepalese who must take an initiative to
ensure a bright future for Nepal and the Nepalese. An independent press serves
as the medium for raising the level of democratic consciousness. It plays a
crucial role in the promotion of national interests. We believe that the press
will make effective contributions in ensuring that democratic norms and values
inspire our way of life as well as governance. We are confident that, with this
in mind, all those who have faith in multiparty democracy will discharge their
duties from their respective places and the people's aspirations along with the
country's requirements will be realised through the shared efforts of all the
countrymen.
15. Today, the nation has made a firm commitment and a decision
has also been taken accordingly. The nation has taken a step forward towards
democracy and progress, leaving behind violence, insecurity and conflict. At a
time when the country is in the grip of terrorism, all those who believe in
democracy and peace must unite. Let us, therefore, be inspired by our
collective wisdom and guided by our national perspective. Any nefarious
attempts at disturbing peace and security and hindering efforts at making
democracy meaningful will not be tolerated either by the nation or people. Yet,
in pursuit of liberalism, we should never overlook an important aspect of our
conduct, namely discipline. This is also the thinking of the 21st century. We
wish to repeat once again that those who cannot do justice to Nepal, those who
cannot believe in the sound judgment of the people and those who cannot stand
in favour of peace will stand condemned by the motherland.
May Lord Pashupatinath bless us all!
Jaya Nepal!
No comments:
Post a Comment