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World Indigenous Day Celebrated in Kathmandu with 19 point Declaration Demanding IP Rights

Photo: Sitaram

Kathmandu, August 9, 2008- A week long celebration of World Indigenous Day concluded in capital on Saturday with indigenous leaders urging the inclusion of indigenous voice in the new constitution of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal.

“This is the closing program of this year’s World Indigenous Day but for we Nepalese indigenous nationalities, this should be the beginning of new, powerful programs for ensuring the inclusion of indigenous voices in the forthcoming new constitution,” said the newly elected Speaker of Constituent Assembly (CA) Subash Chandra Nembang.

He also said that as the time was crucial for making the constitution, now is not the time for political parties to quarrel with each other but rather to find common ground. “Political parties have to reach for consensus and move together in the making of Constitution; this is the mandate of the Nepali people,” added Nembang. He also requested indigenous people from every region to unite for the making of a Constitution that equally represents and includes indigenous people.

“The campaign must continue, as all indigenous peoples have to participate in the making of the Constitution to make it as we have always wanted it to be,” Nembang added.

Also speaking, President of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Pasang Sherpa said, “We hope to come together on World Indigenous Day celebration next year with the feeling that the new constitution is ours as well.”

On the same occasion, Kanak Mani Dixit of Civil Society said there has to be empathy for each other among different ethnic groups in this crucial time for the country. “Empathy among ethnic groups at a time like this is a must. One ethnic group must consider other ethnic groups to make a successful constitution, else the situation will be very dangerous,” said Dixit.

Guests at the event. Photo: Smita Magar

Finance Minister Ramsharan Mahat said in the country of diversity it is very challenging to make a Constitution, but with unity and understanding of people it can be made a better so that everyone will feel that it is equally theirs.

Dendoha Jalai Tipura, representing indigenous people of Bangladesh, said they hoped to survive with their identity.

He declared the solidarity with indigenous people of Bangladesh and Nepal. He also said that these kinds of celebration in Nepal have inspired and encouraged Bangladeshi indigenous people to celebrate and be proud for being indigenous.

During the gathering, NEFIN presented its 19 point Kathmandu Declaration 2008 mainly focusing on the inclusion and participation of indigenous people’s issues and voices in the new constitution.

In the new constitution NEFIN demanded that the basis of federalism in the country must be ethnicity, language and region, and guarantee the ethnic autonomous states with Right to Self Determination. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and ILO Convention 169 should be written exactly in the new constitution as it in the document and implement them. While making CA committees, CA has to make ‘Right to Self Determination Implementation Committee,’ ‘Ethnic Autonomous State’s Boundaries Decision making Committee,’ ‘Indigenous Nationalities Committee’ and ‘Indigenous Nationalities Women’s Committee.’

The new constitution should guarantee 66% of Prerogative Rights in the ethnic autonomous state’s Judiciary, Executive and Legislative bodies. It has also demanded the ensuring of the indigenous people’s rights in their ancestor land, water sources, jungle/forest and regional ownership in the law of autonomous state. Along with these demands it has demanded that the CA include issues of minorities, indigenous rights for their cultural identities and many other rights in the promotion and preservation of their ethnic and cultural identities with proportional representation in the country’s bodies.

Representatives of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) read the message sent from United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon in which he has asked indigenous leaders to take steps in identifying endangered indigenous languages, as 2008 year is declared as the Year of Language.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala sent his message congratulating indigenous people in their celebration. He has asked all indigenous people to play important roles in the process of making new Nepal peaceful and developed.

Federation for Indigenous People of Nepal in America (FIPNA) and many other organizations also sent their best wishes for the occasion.

Nembang awarded prizes to the winners of different games and participating artists in cultural show.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

Read our related news on World Indigenous Day:
» Reconciliation Progress Between States and Indigenous Peoples is 'Good Sign'
But 'Not Enough' Say Indigenous Peoples
» World Indigenous Day Celebrated in Kathmandu with 19 point Declaration Demanding IP Rights
» नेपालमा विश्व आदिवासी दिवस १९ बुँदे घोषणापत्र सहित सम्पन्न
» Nepalese Indigenous Peoples Jubilant and as Colourful as They Could Be
» Nepalese Indigenous in New York Celebrated World Indigenous Day
» बिशेष फोटो फिचर (२4+): काठमाडौंमा आदिबासीहरुको धुइरो
» Special photo Feature: Colourful Indigenous Peoples in Kathmandu
» Meet Kaena Hopkins and her friends from Honolulu Hawaii
Hula Indigenous Peoples from Honolulu, Hawaii
» आज विश्वभर अन्तरराष्ट्रिय आदिबासी दिवस मनाइदै
» Voice for Nepalese Indigenous Peoples Rights
» आदिवासी जनजातिहरुको राजनीतिक सम्मेलनमा सबै दलको दोहोलो काढियो
» नेपालमा विश्व आदिवासी दिवस अगष्ट ९ मनाउइदै
» 16th World Indigenous Day August 9 Celebration in Nepal
Press Statements and Declaration on the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
बिश्व आदिबाशी दिबशको अबसरमा जारी गरिएको घोषणापत्र र प्रेस बक्तब्यहरु:
» World Indigenous Day Kathmandu Declaration 2008
» विश्व आदिवासी दिवस काठमाडौ घोषणापत्र २००८
» Prime Minister of Nepal Message on the World Indigenous Day
» The UN Secretary General's Message on the the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
» The UNPFII Chairperson's Message on the the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
» Press Release of Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (FIPNA)
» नेपाल आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघ अमेरिका (फिप्ना) को प्रेस बक्तब्य
» लोकतांत्रिक आदिबाशी जनजाति महासंघ, युएसए' को प्रेस बक्तब्य

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