This campaign, aims to enhance the capacity of community to take leadership for promoting culture of peace and human rights.
(26th-28th August)
In an effort to initiate peace campaign nationwide, three day National Peace Assembly, entitled ‘Conflict, Displacement and Migration: Challenges for Peace and Development’, was held in the capital from 26th to 28th August 2004. The assembly was launched with the opening session held at Bansantapur Dabali, during which the political leaders, civil society, human rights activist joined together to advocate for establishing peace and security in the country. For the last nine years, Nepal has been experiencing escalating political conflict arising from struggles between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and His Majesty's Government of Nepal. At the session, all the speakers highlighted the importance of peace talks between Maoist and government, which would be the only way to ensure peace and security in the country. The participants coming from 75 districts equivocally stressed on the need of restoring peace in the nation.
Renowned anthropologist and WOREC's advisor Prof. Kailash Nath Pyakurel chaired the session. Dr. Renu Rajbhandari, chairperson of WOREC had highlighted the objectives of the National Peace Assembly.
Several delegates raised their voice to maintain peace in the country at the occasion. Mr. Gopal Raj Pahadi, member of Nepali Congress said that the present conflict could be resolved through democratic way. Similarly, Jhala N Khanal, member of CPN UML emphasized that the only way to resolve the current crisis is peace dialogue. In addition, Mr. Hridayesh Tripathy, leader of Nepal Sadhvana Party (Anandidevi) highlighted that the fact that the conflict has to be resolved politically constructive manner. Leader, Keshav Nepal from JanMorcha Nepal stated that mobilization of army is not the proper way to resolve this present conflict.
Several human rights activists stressed that the country should be made weapon free; and all the people should be ensured with their fundamental human rights. They equivocally agreed that the escalation of conflict is due to use of weapon by both the warring parties.
Other school of thought believed that only the ordeal and pain is felt by those who have suffered due to the actions carried out by both the parties. Participants shared their experience of having to see mothers carrying their children's dead body in their lap, yet remaining helpless. They stressed collective and honest action from all the sectors to restore back peace in the country.
Mr. Devika Timilsina of Hamro Abhiyan concluded the session by highlighting the key points and with the vote of thanks to all the participants.
The second day of the program took place at Staff College Jawalakhel. More than 500 people participated in assembly. The session was divided into two parts; plenary and parallel. In the plenary session, speakers from different sectors presented the papers on various issues stated below.
In plenary sessions, there were presentations of various papers and discussion related them. The detailed discussions on each issue were scheduled in the second session. Several parallel workshops were held on the above mentioned topics to have thorough discussions.
On the last day of the assembly, moderators from each symposium presented summary of the issue based workshops, and group work regarding subject matter, attempts being done to resolve the issues, and recommendation/strategy for future directions.
The assembly was able to generate a 17-points Declaration for Action in Kathmandu based on the presentations, panel discussions, and working groups' outcomes. The 17 points declaration focussed on the restoration of peace by releasing the country from the present conflict situation and also addressed suffering of the civilians due to this conflict. It also developed the codes of conduct for the nation as well as for the Maoist to follow. The assembly concluded with a mass peace rally in Kathmandu with uniform voice to ensure peace and security to all.
The Kathmandu declaration 2004 (MS Word Version 49kb) was handed over to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 7th September 2004.