Stop rights violations 

Amnesty International (AI) has once again drawn the government’s attention to the " torture" of people in police custody. This, in other words, indicates that human rights violations has dramatically increased in recent times but the government is not taking it seriously. Despite assurances that the government is committed to protect human rights, the general secretary of AI has slammed the government apparently because the police refused to disclose the whereabouts of Gita Shahi. The way the police came up with contradictory statements speaks volumes of how police have been treating detainees.

On October 31, plain-clothed policemen took into custody a regional president of All Nepal Women’s Association without providing any reason for this action. Until AI general secretary met IGP Pradeep Shumsher Rana, the district police had even refused to disclose her condition and the reason why she was detained. The district police have initiated a legal process at the district court against her on charges of "crime against the state". She is charged with murder, looting and other criminal activities. Besides, police have refused to allow family members and legal experts to meet her. This apart, the government has extended Shahi’s detention for further investigation without making public her detention.

The fact stands that the human rights situation in the country after the People’s War started four years ago has been deteriorating. There are cases of detained Maoists disappearing in police custody, of torture, of extrajudicial killings, so on. The government has also not made public the Maoist perpetrated rights violations. Instead, it has detained innocent people, tortured them and pushed the country to the brink of war. As a result, the country has had to spend half of the annual budget to fight war against the four and half year-old Maoists.

The government cannot brush aside incidents of human rights violations. It has to take things seriously. The legal process against Gita Shahi, initiated by the district police, does not prove that she was involved in criminal activities. Therefore, the secrecy that surrounds her detention shows the government in a negative light. Her detention may also have a negative impact on government policy of containing Maoists rather than yield positive outcome. Shahi’s case is actually only one among many such cases of rights violations. The government must recognise that this is no way to win over the hearts of people. It must therefore, take meaningful action to look into cases of rights violations.

Mobilization of army

Megh Nath Sharma

To combat insurgency, a government is required to make the optimum use of its available instruments of national power- social, political, economic, psychological, informational, diplomatic, military and so on. Often these instruments do not complement each other. Therefore, the government has to be very careful and selective. The army could be very effectively utilized in combating insurgency, if the government could perform its essential homework before it decides to mobilize the army. In our case, if the government is genuinely concerned with the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, it needs to be absolutely clear about the implications of inducting the Royal Nepalese Army against the insurgents who are none but Nepalese people. Otherwise, its action, even when well intentioned, could lead to disastrous consequences.

No army in the world has successfully fought a sustained counter-insurgency battle without the support of people. It is also equally true that excepting one or two cases in which society collapsed from within allowing the insurgents to come to power and rule the country, no other insurgency movement in the world has been successful without the people's support. What do these historical facts mean to our government? Will it not be wise of the government to seek and achieve national consensus before it decides to employ the army against the insurgents?

Important operations of any kind, are supposed to take place at three levels. In military parlance, these are termed as tactical operational and strategic levels. These are interrelated and complementary to each other. However, one can easily discern which level is the most crucial. If the strategic situation or decision is incorrect, no amount of successful operations or initiatives at lower levels--tactical or operational--can result in overall success. The centre of gravity of the insurgent organization does not lie in the guerrilla fighters engaged in the fields; it lies somewhere else. It was in Washington that the US government had lost its battle against the Vietcong, not in the fields of Vietnam, where US soldiers almost always outfought and out-gunned the Vietcong. The Royal Nepalese Army is nothing but a well-organised historical institution consisting of multi-ethnic citizens in uniforms, which derive their physical, moral and spiritual inspiration and courage from the people, nation and the institution of monarchy symbolizing the unity of the Nepalese people. Indeed, an army can’t fight a successful battle that is protracted without a good cause. And a cause becomes good in the true sense when people endorse it.

If the Royal Nepalese Army is inducted against the insurgents without national consensus, this apolitical institution, which was instrumental to the creation of our nation, is bound to be politicized. When an apolitical institution becomes politicized, it loses its cohesiveness and spirit, and becomes a political party instrument rather than a national power instrument. Don’t we have the example of our own police force, which was, once, quite a credible entity before it was politicized? A politicized institution that is armed and under loose control becomes detrimental to the sovereignty of the nation itself.

Decision makers need to carefully study and reflect on the causes and effects of the Lebanese civil war. The media talk a lot about the danger of civil war in the country, but they often fail to figure out the likely causes and conditions for a civil war. Employment of the army against insurgents without national consensus could be a cause that could result in serious civil war, paving the way for intervention by external forces. The insurgent leadership seems to be more aware than the government of this inevitable chain reaction which ultimately could lead to the destruction of our national independence, sovereignty and integrity.

Insurgent movements cannot flourish indefinitely and confront the army without support of regional and international communities. Therefore, government counter-insurgency operations at the strategic level must include effective exercise of its diplomatic instrument of national power. This is possible only if we have favourable opinions from regional and international communities. But can we have favourable opinions from these communities if the government decides to mobilize the army without national consensus? If these opinions are not supportive, what could happen to our foreign aid based economy and programmes?

"National vital interest based security decisions, policies, plans, operations and actions must retain continuity irrespective of whichever political party comes to power." This is the fundamental principle of national security, which will not be translated into practice if the government takes the strategic decision to use the army without winning the support of at least the major political parties.

For counter insurgency operations to be successful, development programmes designed to address the hearts and minds of people must always accompany it. But is it possible for the government to implement development programmes if it does not enjoy the mandate of major political parties? What will happen if the well intentioned development packages meant for insurgency-affected areas become politicized? Instead of winning the hearts and minds of the people, the government will further lose its credibility.

Take a look at the other side of the coin. The insurgents’ strategy includes achieving their ultimate aim, if possible, without engaging the army in the field. To achieve this, the insurgents try to buy enough time by ensuring that the government cannot easily create conditions conducive to the mobilization of the army. When the government finally mobilizes the army, the insurgent organization, then at the final stage of maturity, is well prepared and strong enough to face the army squarely.

Indefinite vacillation and delay in the full commitment to active army operation could have disastrous consequence for the future of our nation. The government must free itself from its fear of the past and utilize the maximum resources of army as soon as possible. However, it must win its strategic battle at the centre prior to full army mobilization. The government, which wants the insurgents to abide by the law of the country, must not grossly violate the spirit of the constitution. It must satisfy the basic spirit of the Constitution as and when it intends to fully mobilize the army. Otherwise, it forfeits its credibility as a government and cannot expect its people to obey the law of the country. Expediency, particularly at the strategic level is counterproductive. Therefore, the government must be absolutely clear about its vision and aim which must be to establish and maintain a free, independent and united nation, which is politically and economically stable and viable. It must remember that it will be useless to achieve success by eliminating insurgency if the end result is a nation which is not politically and economically viable, which might therefore fall to the insurgents or foreign power, at any moment in future, perhaps without firing a single shot. To conclude, "By gaining the people, the kingdom is gained; by losing the people, the kingdom is lost ". [Confucius (550-479 BC)]

My city, my container

By Mukesh Chandra Baral

People walking with handkerchief covered noses is a common sight in Kathmandu. Perhaps, a style in the past, this gesture has now become a compulsion. The credit for this novelty goes to the government and metropolitan authorities. They have decided to turn this "could be called beautiful city", into a makeshift garbage container till they get a permanent one. Phew! till they get...

But don’t worry hankies are going to assist us to live. Imagine a life, gleaming with colourful hankies; pink, red, blue, yellow and white (I hope I didn’t miss your favourite colour) and scarfs playing hide and seek with noses all around the valley. What a scene!

We have very sweet slogans too: Mero Paurakh, Mero Gaurab, Mero Kathmandu (my valour, my pride, my Kathmandu). Doesn’t it sound marvellous? We have many more, but forget about them. Just make sure that we have impressive slogans, not only to the ears but for the heart as well.

Quite contrary to the spirit of the slogan, my Kathmandu’s semblance gives me nothing to be proud of. All we have are containers strewn with garbage plus the slogan of clean, green and healthy Kathmandu.

I think, this should be a place that the pigs covert. What pigs dream of, has become our reality. The ‘city of temples’ has turned virtually into a garbage disposal site. It’s because the government’s repeated commitments to find a dumping site have borne no fruit.

The issue of a proper dumping site haunts us all the year round. In fact it has become a part of our everyday life. Campaign for a proper dumping site and we have one more Jatra in the list of innumerable Jatras, the splendour of the valley. And this Jatra has again raised a question that may remain unanswered for good.

The city bears a very strong stench of trash but there are no signs of getting out of it. It seems the commitment of the state regarding a proper dumpsite is too feeble as our leaders themselves are. Or it might be that the government loves to build its political image atop the garbage heap with Metropolitan authorities at the peak. If so, it must not forget about the deadly recent garbage avalanche in the Philippines.

Obviously, ours is a different case. But the existence of airborne bacteria in this kind of environment can be another serious threat, enough for an epidemic to break in the capital city. Yes, they are lurking behind us with their mouths wide-open hinting of imminent danger. Isn’t it getting too late? Isn’t it the shared responsibility of the responsible government, the metropolitan authority and the citizens to resolve the issue?

UNESCO : Promoting peace and ideals

Ramesh Prasad Gautam

The two world wars have, no doubt, proved that war and strife are the greatest impediments in the path of human progress. Since those wars, there has arisen in the minds of men the desire for peace and harmony. After the first world war, the League of Nations was established for peace and security. There were many peace treaties and pacts. Unfortunately, the Second World War was unavoidable and the League of Nations became a failure. That is why we can say that peace among various countries is impossible until the majority of mankind is made to realize the true value of peace, security, cooperation and unity.

The two world wars were great setbacks. After these wars, people have felt the necessity for mutual cooperation. The value of the individual and unity of all are now recognized. Tolerance and mutual dependence bring about that unity. Hence, the United Nations was established with the principal purpose of maintaining peace and security in the world. It was formed with the main objectives of preventing further war upholding human rights and conditions of equality and promoting international justices, social progress and better standard of life for the world’s people.

Being a UN member since 1955, Nepal has contributed to the UN endeavour by sending soldiers for peacekeeping on the one hand, while on the other, it has supported various activities. Nepal has been consistently participating in peacekeeping operations since 1958. In line with its non-aligned foreign policy, Nepal has always advocated disarmament, spoken for global consensus and peaceful resolution of international disputes.

Every individual has the expectation of health, happiness and peace in life. If peace becomes permanent, it becomes much easier to ensure health and happiness. The ethical values embodied in UNESCO’s constitution are justice, freedom of speech, free flow of ideas by word and image, equality and solidarity of mankind.

In the history of human civilization, the most beneficial factors till date are peace, friendship and cooperation. On one side of human civilization, we have a bright and beautiful history, and laudable achievements, on the other side, instability, enmity and wars are still there in our memory. Even at the present, the poor are suffering much. The gap between the haves and have-nots is widening every day.

To protect the future generation from the heartbreaking causes of wars and to uphold human values and prestige, UNO was established on 24 October, 1945. Since then, UNO has been trying with great effort to establish and develop peace, friendship and human values.

Likewise, in order to contribute to world peace and safety by promoting and developing the field of education, science, culture and communication, UNESCO was established in 1946. Nepal is also a member of UNESCO. It has contributed a lot to educational and cultural development of Nepal. It is a matter of great satisfaction that we have been able to preserve our culture and heritage.

In this context, according to the ideals of UNESCO, UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council Nepal was established in 1994. It has the target of contributing in the field of education by providing standard and quality education in schools. Similarly, it is trying to build friendly relations among various schools and to fulfil the ideas of UNESCO, SAARC and world peace. It is trying to generate public awareness towards UNO, UNESCO and democracy. Likewise, it has come up with programmes to create friendly relationship among schools to establish world cooperation. The role of UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council Nepal has become even more important in the face of challenges posed by globalization to cultural diversity and expression. Culture is not only the identity of a country, it is also the very heart of development. It has been linked to language, customs and beliefs of ancestral villages.

Apart from the UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council, Nepal’s other programmes include cooperation in organizing seminars, talk programmes, workshops and training at the national and international level, holding essay and drawing competitions, photo exhibitions based on norms and ideas of UNESCO’s peace themes, encouraging competition among teachers for their professional development, updating texts, and protection of important monuments and multilingual aspects of education.

More than 78 schools in UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council Nepal and teachers, staff, students should be accountable to their duties and responsibilities. The council will be contributing a lot in maintaining peace and understanding. The preamble to its constitution says, "since wars begin in the methods of men that the defences of peace must be constructed." UNESCO should be actively promoting and supporting the UNESCO Associated Schools Cooperation Council as its aim is to study the culture of other nations, promote the principles of human rights and develop education for international understanding.

Every nation should understand that there can be no lasting peace or social development without education. UNESCO’s action is aimed at essential goals: increasing access to basic education while boosting the quality and relevance of that education. Education for all cannot be achieved through a simple approach. New thinking and innovative approaches are needed. The concept of education for all was developed through the world declaration on education for all proclaimed at Jomtien-Thailand in March 1990.

The education for all 2002 assessment is a major, global endeavour to enable countries to revise their plans of action. UNESCO maximized its impact by advising government on how to frame education policies and programmes. Since 1953, being a member of UNESCO, Nepal has been getting cooperation in different fields of development to fulfil the aims and objectives of UNESCO. UNESCO Associated School Cooperation Council has been established. It collaborates with His Majesty’s Government, UN Agencies, SAARC, as well as NGOs involved in the fields of development, child welfare, education, environment and so on.

The development of human resources is the main function of education. Education is instrumental not only for economic development, but also for maintaining peace and sustaining democracy. It is, therefore, clear that individual and community peace are crucial factors that will determine the quality of life. For this reason, UNESCO strongly endorses international peace.