CarterInternational Observation Mission in Nepal -
Fourth Pre-Election Statement
Read the statement in Nepali (PDF).
CONTACTS:
In Atlanta: Deborah Hakes, +1 404 420 5124, dhakes@emory.edu
In Kathmandu: Darren Nance, +977 1 444 5055/1446, darren@nance.net
Nepal's peace process is at a critical juncture following the Sept. 18 departure of the Maoists from the interim government and the rapid approach of key electoral deadlines. Carteris encouraged by the renewed commitment of all parties to maintaining unity and pursuing intensive negotiations to resolve contentious issues. However, the recent CPN (Maoist) threats regarding Nepal's electoral process as well as both the government and the Maoists' failure to live up to previous commitments remains a serious concern. All involved parties should focus on their collective responsibility to reach timely, thoughtful decisions that best serve the interests of the Nepali people. The legitimacy of all parties will be in question if such action is not taken promptly.
In this regard, recent activities by the CPN (Maoist) around the country are of particular concern. The protest program announced on Sept. 18 was clearly intended to derail the electoral process. The Center is also receiving reports of Maoist obstruction of voter awareness programs, seizure of voter education materials, and harassment of political rivals. This behavior is unacceptable. While the electoral process is only one part of the larger peace process, the Maoists' actions do not instill faith in the Nepali people and call into question their dedication to peace and democracy. Moreover, the attack and continuing threats made on Kantipur print and television media by a Maoist-affiliated trade union is an incursion on press freedom, a principle explicitly agreed to by the Maoists in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the interim constitution. The Maoist leadership has an obligation to publicly condemn and stop this activity.
Carteris also concerned by the government's reluctance to follow through on its own obligations under the CPA, as this has exacerbated the current environment of mistrust. To move past the present political impasse, leaders on both sides should seek common ground in the spirit of their earlier commitments. Government and Maoist leadership should recognize their interdependence; it is in the national as well as the democratic parties' interest for the Maoists to successfully transition into mainstream politics. In order to rebuild trust, both sides should also strive to implement the agreements they have already signed together as soon as possible and to the best of their abilities. Government action on key cantonment and security sector issues as well as Maoist cessation of violence and return of seized land will do much to bridge the present gap.
At the same time, implementation of the agreements signed with the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, and other groups also needs to be a high priority. No other single action could so swiftly generate goodwill among marginalized groups and facilitate continued progress toward peace and inclusive democracy. Ongoing delay threatens to further erode the government's credibility among large sections of the Nepali population and the international community.
The people of Nepal have a democratic right to participate freely in a credible and inclusive electoral process to choose their own representatives, as promised to them in the CPA and the interim constitution. The election commission has done a commendable job in its role of overseeing electoral preparations. Carterappeals to all Nepali political actors to remember the impact of their present decisions on the wider peace process and to act for Nepal's greater good, not simply according to narrow partisan interests. All political actors have demonstrated an admirable capacity to do so over the past two years. At this critical moment, parties have an opportunity to decisively renew their unity and commitment to achieving sustainable peace and multi-party democracy and to fulfill their promise to the people of Nepal.
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Learn more about the Carter Center's work in Nepal
10 August 2007: Carter Center Urges Nepal to Continue Progress for Nov. 22 Elections
16 June 2007: Statement by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Nepal
12 June 2007: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to Visit Nepal
16 April 2007: Pre-Election Statement: Carter Center Election Observation Mission in Nepal
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