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| 1. |
Executive Summary |
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A two-day regional workshop entitled 'Conflict, Displacement and Migration: Challenges for Peace and Development', was held in the eastern region of Nepal at the industrial city Biratnagar. Considering the escalating violence in the country, it was WOREC's attempt, as a human rights organization to take an initiative that would allow people from several walks of life to discuss the pressing issue, generate ideas and move forward in the peace building process with appropriate strategies. Accordingly, the forum was able to give insights via presentations on conflict and related matters, share knowledge and discuss the ways to move ahead. The assembly brought together people from all walks of life to share the knowledge and work together, developed Declaration for Action, formed Peace Youth Network, strengthened participant's determination to take steps in establishing peace and increased people's understanding on the matter of conflict and its linkage to other sectors.
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| 2. |
Introduction |
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For the past eight years, Nepal has been experiencing escalating political conflict arising from struggles between the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN Maoists) and His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Although the conflict has arisen in the political sphere, it has had serious consequences for the economic and social situation of communities, and of the country as a whole. While migration has always been intertwined with the history of Nepal, the conflict situation has led to a drastic increase in migration and has altered the reasons for migration. The political conflict has also had strong impact on development programs; while the government, NGOs and communities have attempted to continue to mobilize and work towards the goals of social justice and sustainable development, this work is being compromised in various ways; many programs have had to shut down due to safety concerns of the staff and community members involved. Communities are becoming dis-empowered in their ability to direct their visions of development because of displacement, insecurity and violence, and have been left without a voice in the conflict between the government and the Maoists. Moreover, the conflict situation itself has had a significant impact on the physical, mental and sexual health of women, youth and children as evidenced by the lack of health care access, increased rate of sexual violence and displacement. In light of the aforementioned complexity, a forum to discuss the issues was strongly felt.
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| 3. |
Objective |
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The overall objective of the workshop was to initiate a peace building process involving all sectors primarily community.
| 3.1 Specific objectives of the people's assembly were: |
- To provide a forum for communities to share the ways in which the political conflict is affecting community-based development and sustainable livelihoods.
- To analyze the impacts of the micro and macro levels of violence experienced by youth and to develop strategies to promote the human rights of youth within the present political context, particularly in relation to safe migration.
- To discuss the impact of political conflict on migration and displacement, and to develop an action plan.
- To review policies and programs of the government in regard to youth and women, and the ways in which these policies and programs correspond to the international commitments embodied in Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- To examine the link between domestic and political violence in relation to women, and to develop pragmatic solutions to safeguard women's right to health against this backdrop.
- To examine the role of the media in supporting the peace building process.
- To develop a declaration for action
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| 4. |
Participants |
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About 575 participants attended the assembly in total that comprised NGOs, INGOs, employment agencies, elected officials, political party leaders, tarun dal, prarayu survivors/returnees, trade union/women's association participants, women/CBOs, youth, youth volunteers, media, task force, children, and others. On each issue related symposium, participation ranged from 75-150 each.
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| 5. |
Opening session |
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The coordinator of the assembly Ms. Soni Pradhan commenced the assembly followed by the seating of the assembly chair and guest of honors. Each guest of honor then made short remarks.
| Sujan Raut Child |
representative, Rangeli |
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The present conflict has violated a child rights. Children, who are supposed to be holding books are made to hold guns, and are unwillingly dragged to the unnecessary war. Several kids are forced to become street children. Due to violent conflict, children have becomes orphans leading into forced displacement, as well as trafficking.
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| Kamala Rai |
Youth representative, Udaypur |
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The present conflict has affected youth on physical, mental and intellectual level. In a two-way tug of war between the ruling party and the armed rebel, youth has been dragged in. Thousands of youth are forced to leave the country. It has thus become crucial for the ruling party as well as the rebellion party to look at youth little more closely, and determine their activities accordingly.
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| Dev Kumari Mahara |
Women representative, Siraha |
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The magnitude of violence is twice as much among Dalits (scheduled castes), one by falling in Dalit group, the other being Dalit women. The ruling party suspects and punishes most to the youth and men of Dalit group. Such trend has led to killings a number of Dalit youth and men making widows to several Dalit women.
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| Ms. Dev Kumari Thapa |
Distinguished Senior Literateur |
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Peace and development go hand in hand. Even the religious epics have given women an utmost respect. Violence against women, human trafficking, sexual harassment to children, witch-blaming to elderly and middle aged women kind of ill behavior still prevails in our society. All women should move ahead unified to establish a conducive environment for empowering women.
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| Mr. Anil Kumar Thakur |
Local District Development Officer, Morang |
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NGOs have played an important role in coordination and implementation for the development of the society. Also, government programs will become successful if they are run in cooperation with the people, people's representatives and other organizations.
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| Mr. Kailash Nath Kharel |
Assistant to the Chief District Officer, Morang |
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Conflict is a clash between two views. It takes place at an individual, home, society, national as well international level. Society cannot move forward without conflict. It is an ongoing process in the society. There are two kinds of conflict, a violent conflict and a non-violent conflict. The conflict prevailing in our country now is a violent conflict. Women, children and youth are affected most.
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| Mr. Sushil Pyakurel |
Human Rights Commission Member |
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Human Rights Commission has been weakened, but not tired. No single sector should be allowed to cross the limit bound by laws and rules of governance. Unlawful violent activities are unacceptable from both the government as well as the struggling rebel parties. Ruling party should abide by the perimeter set forth by the law. Maoists parties should also stand as a responsible political party not going beyond national and international laws.
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| Dr. Renu Rajbhandari |
Assembly Chair, Founding Member, WOREC |
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It is about the time that we, women transformed ourselves to Durga (a saviour goddess defeating evil over good) to bring violence against women to an end. Nepal has signed several treaties, conventions, and international laws against women, displacement and violence but is yet to enforce them appropriately. Women are not behind but made to leave behind. We should stand up ourselves and create our own future.
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| 6. |
Issue-based symposiums |
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In the second half of the afternoon, five issue-based symposiums were held simultaneously on different issues. Panel discussions were held in the first half of the symposium, and in the second half, groups came up with recommendations to resolve the issues. |
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6.1 Challenges to women's health in the context of conflict
This symposium was aimed at examining the connections between domestic and political violence in relation to women, and developing pragmatic solutions to safeguard women's right to health against this backdrop. This symposium was facilitated by Ms. Anjana Shakya, paper presented by Ms. Indira Koirala, and opinions given by each panelist.
The excerpts from the symposium were as follows.
Nepal being the patriarchial society, women are fallen behind in all sectors. The condition is worsened further due to structural violence and discrimination in practice. It is also important to note that while violent conflict has had many negative affects, it has improved some sectors such as lower consumption of alcohols, which in turn is linked to violence. The problem women are facing due to the conflict is on three different levels: family, societal and physical/mental level. There has been some endeavors to resolve the problem but has not been adequate.
| Recommendations |
- Systematic management of health workers in the VDCs, and mandatory station of health service provider at the health center
- 24 hour health service, and trained health provider to carry out safe delivery
- Health information transmission in the media
- Enforcement of the signed health treaties, conventions in practice
- Amendment of the constitutional bodies to further include women in the development process and eliminate any sort of discrimination, violence.
- Relief assistance to the conflict victims and their family by the government.
- Inclusion of topics such as reproductive health, women's health rights and other relevant information in the academic curriculum.
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6.2 Youth in the cycle of conflict: challenges and alternatives
The aim was to analyze the impact of the micro and macro levels of violence experienced by youth, and to develop strategies to promote the human rights of youth within the present political context, particularly in relation to their well-being and development. This symposium was facilitated by Mr. Dinesh Prasain, paper presented by Ms Soni Pradhan, and brief presentations were made by each panelist.
The highlights of this symposium were as follows.
In the present context, youth faces a wide array of challenges and problems. The few to name are: forced migration, hindrance in education, trafficking, unemployment, unsafe migration, sexual harassment, depression, hindrance in prospering the talents, rape and social hatred, disruption of daily life, mental and psychological impact, and deprivation of exercising their rights.
| Recommendations |
- Work toward resolving the unemployment problem such as providing skilled trainings, vocational trainings and relevant information by ministry of labor
- Focus on providing quality education
- Instill a sense of responsibility toward the nation among youth
- Enforce laws and regulations in practice, correct the political crisis and maintain equality on all levels
- Proper use of local resources
- Create pressure among those in political power
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In the process, youth themselves can take on different roles such as: organize and strengthen their activities of interest, develop a work plan, seek support from organizations that are interested in providing employment tools and trainings, raise voice against prevailing social ill behaviors and malpractice, create a mutual saving fund, develop leadership and youth network, establish a youth counseling center, and mobilize youth for youth. The formation of Youth Peace Network at the assembly was also annouced. The network vowed to engage in a variety of awareness raising and peace initiative activities.
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6.3 Safe Migration: Challenges and Opportunities
This symposium was aimed to analyze the impact of political conflict on migration and displacement, and to develop an action plan for communities, NGOs and GOs to promote safe migration and the human rights of migrating persons. The major points of this symposium were follows. This symposium was moderated by Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, paper presented by Upama Malla, and opinions shared by experts in the field.
The highlightof the symposium is outlined below.
Migration is natural, worldwide phenomena and is a human necessity as well as a basic right. However unsafe migration puts the right into risk which results into trafficking, forced labor and violation of human rights. Migration, if carried out effectively benefits three sectors migrant, the country of origin and the country of destination.
The challenges the nation faces that lead to migration are : Lack of secured life,
economic crisis, unemployment, ineffective labor laws, non-affirmative payment
violence at home, lack of responsibility, urbanization, lack of awareness, traditional agricultural practices, corruption, centralization of capitals. While it was acknowledged that the endeavors were being done by different sectors, it was also established that much more needs to be done, for which a few recommendation are :
- Strongly enforce laws and regulations
- Exercise Geneva treaty section-3 in practice
- Make government and NGO activities transparent
- Put peace, security and ruling in place
- Declare child peace zone
- Keep systematic track of internal and external displacement
- Establish a fund for migrants
- Provide counseling, rehabilitation and reintegration for conflict victims
- Draft clear laws for refugees
- Increase government investment in agricultural sector
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6.4. Consultation workshop on Beijing +10
This symposium was aimed to review policies and programs of the national government in relation to youth and women, and the ways in which these policies and programs correspond to the international commitments embodied in CEDAW as well as to the Twelve Critical Areas of Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action (BFPA). This symposium was moderated by Ms. Sabitri Shrestha and presentation made by Ms. Sushila Shrestha.
There has been some program implementation attempts on the basis of Beijing conference. However, they have not been successfully executed due to barriers primarily, structural gender discrimination.
- Some suggestions and recommendations for future directions are
- Practical implementation of Beijing Declaration
- Rehabilitation programs for women displaced due to the conflict
- Framing of special programs for women who are conflict victims
- Amendment of the laws as necessary
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6.5 The role of the media
This topic was aimed to identify the role of the media in contributing to building sustained peace in the context of political conflict. The symposium was moderated by Mr. Devika Timilsina, and paper presented by Ms. Madhu Rai. At the symposium challenges and problems as well as recommendations for future were discussed. The challenges media currently faces are: fear of reporting news by the victims, media intervened by different parties/sectors, masking of real incidents by those who create it, inadequate recognition of the journalist's hard work, open attack to media personnel by struggling party and ruling party and lack of relief assistance to the media personnel in an event of becoming conflict victims.
| Recommendations |
- Government should guarantee the safety and security of the media journalists
- Rights to information should be enforced
- Ruling and struggling party should respect the media journalism and journalists
- Relief assistance and support system should be made available to the media personnel that become the victim of the conflict
- Open attack to the media personnel should be brought to an end
- Media journalists should be able to report any kind of news freely
- Media journalists should abide by the journalism ethics
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| 7. |
Platform for Action |
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Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti shared the Platform for Action that was developed based on the discussion and group work over series of programs held.
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| 8. |
Closing Remarks |
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Mr. Chundamani Acharya, member secretary of Nepal Bar Association gave an appreciation to all those involved in holding the assembly successfully in such a difficult time. He also said, in the present context we should take peace initiatives ourselves rather than relying on others
Dr. Renu Rajbhandari stated that the BIRAT declaration for action is a small attempt on our part, but will occupy a strong place historically. She also said that our responsibility did not end at the development of Declaration of Action, in fact it just began.
Prof Dr. Kailash Nath Pyakurel made a remark saying that if we move forward unified anything can get done, and congratulated the organization for successfully holding the assembly.
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| 9. |
Others events |
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Other events comprised cultural program, press conference and peace rally.
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| 10. |
Conclusion |
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The assembly was completed successfully with a number of accomplishments such as formation of Youth Peace Network, determination of women's group to pressure the government in establishing peace, strong recommendations for future directions on each issues discussed and the declaration for action. The assembly was also able to meet the objective the organization had set forth. Encouraged by the turn out and participation of the assembly WOREC intends to expand the peace campaign to other regions of Nepal.
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November 11-12,2003
WOREC Kathmandu
November 2003
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