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नेपाली अनलाइन् पोटंल
New York, April 22, 2008- The senior Maoist leader and Local Development Minister Dev Gurung was busy today in New York City talking about his vision for a new Nepal.
He addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issue (UNPFII) Seventh Session this afternoon at the UN Headquarters before delivering his keynote address: “Vision for a New Nepal: A Maoist Perspective” at a meeting jointly organized by the India China Institute of The New School University, Alliance for Democracy in Nepal, America Nepal Friendship Society, Association of Nepali Tarain in America, Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (15 Janajati organizations) and United Nepalese Democratic Forum.
Maoist leader and Minister Dev Gurung addressing the UNPFII Seventh Session.
At the UNPFII’s Seventh Session, Minister Gurung spoke to the representatives of indigenous peoples, governments and non-government organizations from around the world about Nepal’s current political development saying “The aspirations of all the indigenous peoples was articulated, especially during the decade-long historic “people’s war”.
On 10th of April, this month, we held a successful election to the Constituent Assembly, is a significant milestone in the peace and democratic process. The lection saw an overwhelming participation, including from indigenous peoples.
The people of Nepal have voted for change and for political transformation of the State from the traditional unitary, centralized, feudal-monarchical and so-called high caste dominated state to a republican, inclusive and federal democratic state that establishes equal political, economic, cultural and environmental rights of the people, including that of the indigenous peoples.”
He also pledged Nepal’s commitment to work together with the Forum in the protection and promotion of the rights of the indigenous peoples in Nepal and elsewhere. (Read his full speech»)
Minister Dev Gurung with the Nepal Experience panel discussion organizers.
Minister Gurung addressed another UNPFII meeting earlier this morning “The Nepal Experience” at the UN on the ratification of ILO Convention 169 by Nepal which was sponsored and organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
Addressing the session, he said “In an attempt to address the diversities as well as complexities of Nepalese society and status and conditions of indigenous peoples, particularly the most marginalized groups within the indigenous communities to respond to their needs, aspirations and empowerment, Nepal ratified the ILO Convention 169 in August 2007 and by doing so it became the first country in South Asia to ratify this convention.”
Nepalese delegation team at the Nepal Experience panel discussion.
He added that the Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the ILO and “in consultation with all stakeholders including indigenous peoples organization”, formulated a three year strategic plan identifying the activities to be implemented to achieve the goal of inclusive democracy and socio-economic development.
"The Nepal Experience", the panel discussion event, was chaired by Rafael Soriano, Director of Indigenous Peoples Programme, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. Other speakers were Birgitte Feiring, Chief Technical Advisor of ILO PRO 169 and N Djonkou, Director of ILO Office for the UN.
"Case Study on the Kulekhani Dam", a documentary made by LAHURNIP about the displaced people of Kulekhani, was also screened at the event.
Minister Dev Gurung (2nd from right) with (from L to R) Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute and Madhuraman Acharya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, Dr. Navin K. Rai, Lead Specialist, Social Development Department of The World Bank & Dr. Krishna B. Bhattachan, Professor of Sociology, Tribhuwan University and Advisor, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN).
In his New School public talk, “Vision for a New Nepal: A Maoist Perspective”, Minister Gurung asserted that his party is ready to transform Nepal into a real new Nepal by abolishing monarchy, guaranteeing land rights for people who work the land and transforming justice and administrative state mechanism. In other words, “for the people, by the people and of the people.”
He said "There will be no room for Nepal’s monarchy because the suspended King Gyanendra and Crown Prince Paras lost moral ground by misusing their power to oppose the will of the people of Nepal."
Participants of the New School event. Photos: eEyeCam
Ashok Gurung, Senior Director, India China Institute and Madhuraman Acharya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, gave their welcome remarks while Dr. Navin K. Rai, Lead Specialist, Social Development Department of The World Bank, moderated the program. Dr. Krishna B. Bhattachan, Professor of Sociology, Tribhuwan University and Advisor, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), was also there as the commentator and interpreter for Minister Gurung’s speech.
According to press statement released by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN, earlier today, Minister Deb Prasad Gurung met With Mr. Vijaya Nambiar, Under Secretary General and Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary General and handed over a letter from Chairman Prachanda of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) addressed to Mr. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, thanking him for the role of the United Nations in supporting the peace process including the recently held election to the Constituent Assembly. On behalf of the Secretary General, who is currently on a trip to Africa, Mr. Nambiar congratulated the people of Nepal for successful election and reiterated the UN’s readiness to support Nepal in the manner requested by the government of Nepal.
Hon. Deb Prasad Gurung also met with Ms. Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary General, currently holding the charge of the Department of Political Affairs. He thanked the United Nations for its support and cooperation in the peace process in Nepal and stated that the next government will be formed under the leadership of the CPN (Maoist) in consultation with all political parties soon. Ms. Kane commended the role of the Nepalese political parties in holding peaceful and orderly elections.
Minister Gurung is here for the UNPFII’s Seventh Session. He will be leaving for Nepal on Thursday, April 24th.
Nepalese Delegation
There are 18 Nepalese delegation members participating the UNPFII 7th session. They are (1) Local Development Minister Dev Gurung, (2) MP Vijaya Subba, (3) Dr. Chaitanya Subba, National Planning Commission, (4) Dr Krishna B. Bhattachan & (5) Nima Lama, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), (6) Jitpal Kirati, Vice Chairman National Foundation of Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN), (7) Tana Gautam, Secretary, Government of Nepal, (8) Ganga Datta Awasthi, Secretary, Ministry of Local Development (MoLD), (9) Baburam Gautam, Under-Secretary, MoLD, (10) Nabin Subba & (11) Soloman Rajbansi (ILO), (12) Lakki Sherpa, National Network of Indigenous Women Nepal, (13) Sita Gurung, Executive member, NFDIN, (14) Member, Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, (15) Shankar Subba, LAHURNIP,(16) Indira Chongbang, Association of Nepalese Indigenous Journalists (ANIJ), (17) Chanda Pun Magar, Pewa Nepal and (18) Khim Ghale, (ANIJ & OHCHR).
-Pradeep Thapa Magar in New York
Maoist leader and Minister Dev Gurung at the UNPFII Seventh Session.
Maoist leader and Minister Dev Gurung with Nepalese in New School event.
Photos: eEyeCam
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