Nepal

Overview

Nepal's journey toward the institutionalization of the democratic system and the success of the peace process achieved through the 2006 People's Movement has been slow but steady. The country's effort to achieve an inclusive, democratic constitution that ensures people's rights via the Constituent Assembly (CA) is in jeopardy. Similarly, addressing the root causes of a decade-long armed conflict launched by the Communist Party of Maoists (currently the Unified Communist Party of Maoists) in February 1996, and ended in November 2006, faces increasing obstacles. 

In Nepal, there are certainly challenges as well as opportunities for state restructuring, transformation of society, and the initial steps for nation-building. Although the peace process was supported and monitored by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), the mandate of the U.N. agency ended prior to implementation of major arrangements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including management of arms and transitional justice arrangements in mid-January 2011. Similarly, the CA, elected in April 2008, has failed to deliver the first draft of the new constitution, and the timeline of the CA has been extended a second time for another three months until August 2011. 

Nevetheless, despite the challenges, Nepal has been making progress. On May 29, 2011, to build consensus and to find solutions for safeguarding Nepal from becoming a failed state, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the Nepali Congress, and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) signed a five-point agreement that paved the way for the extension of the CA term for three more months. The recently adopted plan has been to resolve the peace process within a month, prepare the first draft of the constitution by the second, and then endorse it before the August 28 deadline. Though there remain some areas for discussion between the Army and the Maoists regarding the role of the Maoist combatants after their integration into the Army, political parties have come closer to resolving their differences on the matter. Further, the tenure of the Dispute Resolution Subcommittee of the CA has been extended by another two months. Of the 22 remaining dispute issues for the constitution, the model of federalism has been one of the most contentious issues yet to be resolved. 

Before the second deadline of the CA's term last month (May 2011), there were expressions of growing concern among the public. The result was a crowd of civil society members, people from different ethnic, youth, and women's groups gathering outside the CA hall. There were a number of rallies, bandhs, demonstrations, hunger strikes, and other programs to pressure the government, political party leaders, and CA members to complete the drafting of the new constitution and bring the peace process to an end. 

Nepal's path to peace is rife with challenges and obstacles, but also possibilities. However, until a peaceful end has been reached, it is critical that a catalyst serves to keep intact and enhance the security situation of the country. 

Through the Strengthening Security and Rule of Law Project in Nepal, USIP has been working to bring together the local community, Nepal Police, political parties, government administration, and various other stakeholders to strengthen civilian security and rule of law by building capacity, holding dialogues, and enhancing relationships through its local partners in 21 districts.

• Learn more about Nepal's peace agreement

• Read a first hand account of the May 2009 Maoist withdrawal from the government

USIP Goals in Nepal

USIP supports Nepal in its transition by focusing on four areas:

• Strengthening security and the rule of law through dialogue
• Engaging in transitional justice discussions
• Providing practical tools and resources to civil society, justice sector actors, political party representatives and government officials, including: Combating Serious Crimes in Postconflict Societies (Nepali edition), The Model Codes for Postconflict Justice, resource material on the constitutional process and a handbook on transitional justice
• Organizing workshops and public events for government officials, NGO representative, congressional staffers, media, the diplomatic community and the public in Washington D.C. and for the Washington Nepal Forum

Updates from the Field

• Watch a video of dialogue sessions held between the Nepal Police and civil society in April 2007
• Read about the formation of a Youth Forum in Biratnagar
• View a slideshow of Director Colette Rausch's May 2009 trip to Nepal

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