Posted by: Nepe May 10, 2005
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The Petition from May 15 pro-democracy rally
The Right Honorable
Mr. George W. Bush
President of the United States
Washington DC
Mr. President,
We, the people of Nepali origin living in North America, and friends of Nepal have gathered here at Lafayette Park in Washington DC to show our solidarity with the people of Nepal in their quest for democratic rights and civil liberties.
We condemn the assumption of absolute power by King Gyanendra on February 1, 2005; imposition of draconian measures to restrict fundamental freedoms, including freedom of assembly and expression, right to information, and the protection against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of individuals; and detention of political leaders, human rights activists and journalists. This royal coup has blatantly breached the understanding between the Nepali people and his predecessor, as enshrined in the 1990 Constitution.
Although the King has recently lifted the state of emergency in the face of sustained international pressure, fresh measures have been introduced to severely curb political activities. Many political leaders, activists, and journalists are still under detention and others are barred from leaving the country. Fundamental rights remain suspended. Extra-constitutional bodies have been created to undermine the due process of law.
We strongly demand that the King demonstrate his commitment to democracy in action and not just in words. He must immediately lift all restrictions on free speech, publication, right of peaceful gathering and movement; dismantle all bodies and processes that infringe on the constitutional provisions; and stop interfering with the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. The Government ought to immediately stop extra-judicial arrests and killings by the security forces and must respect its commitments to human rights consistent with the Constitution of Nepal and international treaties.
Resolving the Maoist insurgency is the foremost problem for Nepal at present. Military action alone will only exacerbate the conflict and deteriorate the human rights situation further. Together with serious military pressure, a broad-based political process--including change in the Constitution, if necessary--will be essential to find a political settlement to the problem. And no political process will be legitimate and credible unless the sovereign people have the right to choose their representative government.
We condemn the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) for their acts of killings, extortions, abductions, and destroying public infrastructure. We call upon them to fully renounce violence as a method of political change and come forward for a negotiated settlement with a representative government. The Maoists must abide by the universally accepted norms of human rights.
Mr. President, we commend your zeal to spread democracy across the world, which will give lasting global stability, peace and prosperity. We are confident that you would not allow anyone to extinguish the light of freedom in Nepal for which many Nepalis have made the ultimate sacrifice. Therefore, we request you to take the following measures urgently in order to help Nepal establish full democracy:
1. Apply increased political persuasion and pressure on the King fully to reverse his February 1 move and other steps that have undermined democratic values and institutions, and ask other countries to do the same.
2. Suspend US military assistance to Nepal until a representative government is in place and persuade other countries to follow suit. Otherwise, much of the military aid is likely to be used to suppress political dissent rather than to confront the Maoists.
3. Appoint a special envoy to coordinate US-Nepal policy with other interested parties (including India, China, Great Britain, the European Union and the UN) to help resolve the political crisis in Nepal and democracy take root there.
4. Use substantial US political and diplomatic strength to bring the King, political parties, and the Maoists to the negotiating table and resolve the conflict through dialogue.
5. Encourage and support the Congress to send a fact-finding mission to Nepal and suggest possible remedies.
We take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to you and the Government and people of the United States of America for condemning the royal coup and for your increased efforts and support to strengthen democratic values and institutions in Nepal.
Sincerely yours,
The Undersigned