Nepal unites to press for accountability and honesty from the UCPN-Maoists

As the largest party in the Constitutional Assembly, the Maoists have a legal and moral responsibility to conclude the peace process. This event is created to pressurize the Maoists Party to make concrete progress in peace and constitution.

However, we are not only soliciting the Maoists Party’s response – honesty and commitment to the priorities on hand. After the first silence protest in Paris Danda, we will move to protest in front of the Congress Party headquarter in Sanepa on Aug 18, Thursday. Then our movement will move to UML office, Madhesi Parties offices, and so on – maybe even go to the personal door steps of the senior politicians who are clearly THE obstacle. Stay tuned for more information on where next, exactly, but for NEXT WEEK this is the plan -

• Sunday, Aug 14, 4:00 – 5:00 pm: UCPN- Maoist party headquarter, Paris Danda, Koteshwor

• Thursday, Aug 18, 4:00 – 5.00 pm: NC party headquarter, Sanepa

We are using our SILENCE to make our voice heard loud and clear – placards, banners, Nepali flags, and letters. These will do our talking for us.

This is the letter addressed to Chairman Dahal that we will hand over after the protest: http://www.facebook.com/no​te.php?note_id=26986507303​0863

For more information: www.facebook.com/nepalunit​es

No Work No Pay!

Well done, Sunil Babu Pant... Hope the other CA members also follow your example!

D-DAY + 11 days : Report from the Constituent Assembly

No business today...

Parties having their own meetings, next parliament is set for next Monday only.

Constitutional committee is not meeting either, nor the sub committee headed by Prachanda, which is there to resolve be contentious issues on constitutional matters....

When will work really get done!

Yet the meter keeps ticking. How long can we pay for NO progress? How long?

Letter to the IGP

June 7, 2011

Dear IGP Rabindra Pratap Shah,

Today, at a small picketing conducted by some youth at the Airport Gate to object the international travel of our top leaders while they have more important tasks in Nepal, there was a small argument with the police, regarding whether we would be allowed to picket or not, and whether permission was required to conduct this same activity in a public area.

We want you to understand that these protests are different from all the others that Nepal has ever seen. These are non-violent, and mostly silent expression... done only with placards and Nepalese Flags. We would like to request that Nepalese people be allowed to conduct peaceful protests in areas which are non-restricted (even if this shames our top leaders into positive action).

As you well know, our country is at the mercy of incompetent politicians, and citizen pressure seems to be the only way out of this impasse. This can come either in the form of the usual tyre burning, slogan chanting, public property destroying means (which we strictly abhor) or the peaceful modern ways of protest... like the silent expression picketing we have done at Durbar Marg, the symbolic sweeping of the CA premises, the Nepali flag rally in New Road, and these airport picketing.

We would request that sanity and common sense prevails and the Nepal Police (whose prime duty is to protect us) does not turn against us.

Our protests are aimed at ensuring that our fellow Nepalese do not feel helpless during these difficult times, but actually realize that there are peaceful means of release of these frustrations, in ways that are positive to change in this country.

I am sure this is also aligned with what you would want for this country.

Best Regards,

The People of Nepal

Report: Welcome Home Sir! Now, will you please WORK?

A small band of 27 picketeers (interestingly, Kathmandu has 2.7 m population and Nepal 27 m) stood at the airport gate to welcome Madhav Kumar Nepal, Sujata Koirala and Hisila Yami back to Nepal from their Bangladesh junket. The video shows it all, and also the amount of police presence to restrict peaceful protests.

Interestingly, as soon as Mr. Nepal passed by, one of 'ours' sent him a text message, and this conversation ensued! Enjoy!

•WE:what dd u get frm ur visit....did we get any constituioin...(by a fren hai)

•MKN:why r uafraid oh maobadi then?u cant say anything to them...

•ME:kun thuma darayeu ra.........hijo dekhi t samanya janata ni daraun thali halyachan ni UML sanga

•MKN:khoi prachanda singapore jada k garnu bho?ani hatyar mukta garna k awaz uthaunu bho?

•ME:tyo kam ko lagi ta haile haurlaipathako ho ni CA ma..hajur harule khi kam nagarera ta hmila risuthyo ni......hamilai hamro future kocinta cha......

•MKN:Samasya kaha cha thaha huna ta paryo ?samasya maobadi ma cha..13 patak meeting bsd prachanda 4 coti matra aaucha channna tar ngarik samajle khi bodaina, un haru arms ra army kokura i.e.peace process chitto tungo lane date dinchan gardainan nagarik samaj thha napaye jasto garcha , bhannush kasari bancha sambhidan?

•ME:hami yuva ho sir...hamilai kun party ma samasya chavane thaha chaina..but party bich ko differences lai excuse ta dina milena ni ....hoina ra..hajurnai yesari problems ko solution khojna chodera tarkina bhayena ni....hajurko every steps le hamro future lai effect griracha,,,..if ui haru aaudainan bhane public ma aaunus n bhannus .....hamile sakenu n we will do something...

Enjoy pictures from this event here on Facebook!

PRESSURE WORKS! Lets keep it going!

LIKE http://facebook.com/nepalunites

LIKE http://www.facebook.com/comeonyouthstandup

The Symbolic “Broom”, our filthy politics, and Nepal's deteriorating environment

by Prashant Singh

On the occasion of the World Environment day (June 5), some one hundred cyclists started a rally at 7 AM from Sherpa Mall- Durbar Marg, that sits at the heart of Kathmandu demanding “Cleaner Environment- Cleaner Politics” in Nepal. They pedaled their way to BICC, the building that has been hosting the mammoth 601 member constituent Assembly (CA) for more than three years now. They were joined by scores of other protesters at BICC. Together, they cleaned up the outside of the CA building using brooms, and urged the CA members to clean up the inside of the CA. WE all know that a number of CA members in recent months have been charged with indulging in corrupt activities- many of them currently under arrest.

Sunil Pant, a CA member received a broom with 601 bristles from the protestors who urged Mr. Pant to ask his fellow members to unite and work for the country. Sunil Tamang, a 19 year old student who has just finished a solo-trekking across the breadth of Nepal to see the impacts of climate change pointed out that just as a broom is not effective until all the bristles are tied together, the CA will not be effective until the lawmakers agree and work on the Nation’s common interest together. Sunil (Tamang) was speaking from experience having seen the plight of Nepal with his eyes in last several months.

Environment and Peace in Nepal are interlinked. The chaos and corruption has been causing the plundering of Nepal’s forests by criminals seen widely to be hands in glove with the politicians and the enforcement authorities. The situation has helped the poachers to kill Nepal’s globally significant wildlife species at will. Deteriorating environment means increased incidence of poverty and societal conflict in Nepal as the nation’s largely rural population heavily depends on natural resources. Amidst several other advantages, the completion of peace process, and promulgation of the new constitution would help Nepal’s environment.

One hopes the good sense prevails in coming days.

Kindly visit our page, and support the cause we are standing for at www.facebook.com/nepalunites

EVENT - Welcome Ma Ku Ne back to Nepal!

Mr Nepal,

Did you enjoy your trip to Bangladesh? Did you learn a thing or two to solve the current political impasse? or maybe how to reintegrate the combatants into civil society? or more importantly, the difference between federal systems and multi-party systems?

We have a small welcome committee for you ready when you arrive back tomorrow at the airport. No worries, we will not be vocal (in sound) nor violent (thats against our principles in the real New Nepal) but the message will go loud and clear - we do not want you to waste precious time in foreign travel.

Its time you sat down and concentrated on the job at hand - get the country on the road! We have waited far too long!

Oh, and we are not singling you out! This goes out to all leaders and CA members. Stay put in Kathmandu (BICC to be specific) and finish the job you all set out to do a full 3 years ago!

Your nation depends on your performance at BICC, not on your performance abroad!

Regards,

Your loving Nepali Public!

---------------------------------------------

Event: Welcome Committee

Venue: TI Airport, Kathmandu

Time: 1400 hrs

Date: 7th June 2011

Check out the event on Facebook. Attend even if you cannot come, its proof you approve of it!

The US takes note! Persistence works!

"The work to be done here at home is crucial right now. I've asked my team in the Embassy to review whether we have any other travel planned by legislators between now and August 28"

- Taken from the US Ambassador's Facebook Wall

Persistent persuasion works. Will other embassies, donors, INGO's follow?

The US Embassy is on facebook here... and this is only posted because the "parivartanka lagi hami nepali ek" page is one of the favourites there! Social media efforts work.

Keep up the PRESSURE!

EVENT: Nepal Unites to Clean up YOUR Act! (Rajnitik Durgandh Shuddhikaran Karyakram)

On June 5, 2011, through another effort to give continuity to the pressure-building campaign by the Nepali Citizens, we’re organizing a symbolic event that celebrates World Environment Day as well as sends the 601 lawmakers and senior politicians our message. It’s simple; we suggest that they start demonstrating accountability, starting with completion of the peace and constitution drafting process within the extended deadline of August 2011. Their DIRTY, irresponsible conduct is making the entire nation dirty. Clean up the mess!

ATTEND this event on FACEBOOK

Date: Sunday, June 5, World Environment Day, 2011
Time: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
Starts: Outside Sherpa Mall
Ends: Outside BICC- The Constituent Assembly
Theme: Clean Environment, Clean Politics

AGENDA:

0630 am: Cycle enthusiasts assemble in front of Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg

0700 – 0720 am: The group bikes to BICC, New Baneshwor

NOTE: Those who prefer to walk, drive, or run assemble directly at BICC (in front of the black water tank, west gate) and you will be joined by the 100 plus cyclists.

0730 – 0800 am: Sweep clean the area around BICC.

0805 – 0810 am: A young participant (student) hands a broom over to Mr. Sunil Pant, Constituent Assembly member, and asks him to relay the message –

“We have cleaned the outsides of the Constitution Assembly, now YOU clean up the mess inside in order to complete the peace and constitution drafting process by the deadline of August 2011.

Please get your acts together, immediately stop all blame-games and power-plays, FOCUS, and give us what’s expected from you.”

Clean up your act! नेताहरु!......फोहरि खेल नखेल!

------------------------------------

नेपालीमा:

समय: बिहान ६:३० देखि ८:३०
शुरु: सेर्पा मलबाट
अन्त: संबिधान सभा भवन अगाडिवातावरण सफा गर, राजनिति सफा गर

कार्यसुची

६:३० बजे: साईकल चलाउनेहरु सेर्पा मल अगाडि भेला हुन्छन्७:००- ७:२० साईकल चलाएर संबिधान सभा अगाडि पुग्छन यो टोली
७:३०- ८:०० - संबिधान सभा भवन अगाडि साफ-सुगर गर्छन्८:०५-- ८:१० - एक जना युवाले सुनिल बाबु पन्तलाई कुचो दिएर यो सुचना दिन आग्रह गर्छन्" हामीले संबिधान सभा अगाडि सफा गर्यौँ, अब भित्रको फोहोर तपाईँहरुले सफा गर्नुहोस र शान्ति अनि संबिधान बनाउनुहोस अहिलेको समय भित्र ।तपाँईहरु खुरुक्क आफ्नो काममा लाग्नुहोस् र आम नेपाली जनताले खोजेका कुराहरुमा पूर्ण ध्यान दिनुहोस् यो नानाथरिको झै-झगडामा नलाग्नुहोला !"

नेताहरु!......फोहरी खेल नखेल !

परिवर्तनका लागि हामी नेपाली एक

OPEN LETTER: Please Stop Mr. Nepal leaving the country!

To,
Mr. Subhash Nembang,
Speaker,
Constituent Assembly of Nepal,
BICC,
Kathmandu, Nepal

Dear Mr. Nembang,

We, the concerned citizens of Nepal, are united in our resolve to hold our government accountable in their conduct and ensure transparency in their actions. We believe that this campaign is in accordance to your stated goal of supporting democratic values and human rights in Nepal. Hence, we would like to request you to kindly intervene in your capacity as a Speaker to discourage all international travels for our 601 Constituent Assembly (CA) lawmakers and senior politicians of all political parties in the next three months and until the expiry of the extended term of the CA. We are certain that you understand and appreciate the value of their time for the country as well as the need for them to wholeheartedly focus on completing the peace and constitution drafting process by August, 2011.

Over the last three years, Nepali citizens entrusted our CA lawmakers to draft a strong democratic constitution that will enshrine the universal rights of every Nepali citizen. Unfortunately, too much time was lost in political bickering, blatant power-plays and blame-games. We believe that these delays have been exacerbated by extensive international travels funded by agencies such as yours. While we understand that such trips contribute to capacity building and were intended to support the process, those skills are yet to translate into actions. Completion of the peace process and constitution drafting is both essential and time-sensitive.
We are certain that, along with us, you have also witnessed how the myriad issues that Nepal faces, from the economic stalemate, slow and often halted development efforts, to absence of rule to law, have been held ‘hostage’ by the tensions and mistrust that have arisen from this incomplete constitution drafting and peace process. With this letter, we are requesting you to act on your conscience and support the cause for a democratic and stable Nepal.

Restricting international travel is one of the most effective "other" tools that can be employed, and we passionately appeal you to enforce it in your capacity. In fact, it is one of the most recurrent idea that come from Nepalis from all walks of life.

Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, ex Prime Minister and one of the key members in the Constitution committee is slated to leave for Dhaka tomorrow to attend the Peace Conference. At present, we see no event that requires more urgency and dedication than the peace process and eventual drafting of the Constitution. As outlined in the 5 point agreement between the major parties, we are all working towards a deadline, the seriousness of which is challenged by international travels of CA members such as this. We call on you, as a Speaker and more importantly, as a Nepali to draw the attention of Mr. Nepal as well as other CA members to what the Nepali people need and demand during this critical point in time.

We trust that with your conscience as a Nepali and the power vested in you by the citizens of Nepal, you will take the necessary steps to prevent any travels, events or expenditures by the CA members which will further deter the realization of peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the citizens of Nepal.

Nepal Unites परिवर्तनको लागि हामी नेपाली एक

For more information on the group and its efforts, please visit www.facebook.com\nepalunites

Campaign on the street - Supersize!

A LAST CHANCE hoarding went up today in a busy intersection in Kathmandu, reminding the leaders of the nation that this 90 day extension is their last chance possible. And also NOT to MESS it up this time around!

OPEN Letter to Donors, Embassies and INGO's : Nepali Translation

श्री दातृ तथा विकास निकाय र दूतावासहरु,

हामी सचेत नेपाली नागरिकहरु आफ्नो सरकारलाई उसका काम कारवाहीमा जवाफदेही बनाउन तथा त्यसमा पारदर्शिता कायम राख्नको लागि एकताबद्ध छौं । हाम्रो विश्वासमा यस अभियान लोकतान्त्रिक मूल्य र मान्यता तथा मानवअधिकारको प्रबर्द्धन गर्ने त्यस संस्थाको घोषित लक्ष्यसँग मेल खान्छ । त्यसैले हामी सम्बन्धित संस्थाहरुसँग संविधान सभाका कुनै पनि सदस्यहरु तथा राजनीतिक दलहरुका कुनै पनि वरिष्ठ नेताहरुको अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय भ्रमणहरुलाई नयाँ संविधान जारी नभईञ्जेलसम्म प्रायोजन नगरिदिनुहुन अनुरोध गर्दछौं । हामी सम्बन्धित संस्थाहरुले हाम्रा सभासद् तथा नेतृत्व तहको भदौसम्ममा संविधान मस्यौदा गर्ने तथा शान्ति प्रक्रिया सम्पन्न गर्नेमा उहाँहरुको समयको कति महत्व छ भन्ने बुझ्नुभएको छ र त्यसलाई सम्मान गर्नुहुन्छ भन्नेमा विश्वस्त छौं ।

विगत तीन वर्षहरुमा नेपाली नागरिकहरुले सभासद्हरुलाई नेपाली नागरिकहरुका विश्वव्यापी मानव अधिकारको सुनिश्चितता गर्ने बलियो लोकतान्त्रिक संविधान बनाउने अभिभारा सुम्पिएर पठाएका हुन् । तर बिडम्बना नै भन्नुपर्दछ, धेरै समय सत्ताको लुछाचुँडी तथा आरोप प्रत्यारोपमा नै बित्यो । हाम्रो विचारमा यस अवस्थालाई यस संस्थालगायत अन्यहरुले विभिन्न शीर्षकमा प्रायोजन गर्ने गरेका अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय भ्रमणहरुले झन् विकराल बनाइदियो । त्यस्ता भ्रमणहरुको उद्देश्य यहाँ चलिरहेका विभिन्न प्रक्रियाहरुलाई समर्थन गर्ने तथा क्षमता अभिवृद्धि गर्ने थिए तर त्यहाँ सिकेका सीपहरु अझै कार्यान्वयन भएका छैनन् । संविधान निर्माण तथा शान्ति प्रक्रिया सम्पन्न गर्ने कामहरु कति समय संवेदनशील छ भन्ने सम्बन्धित संस्थालाई अवगतै छ ।

हामीलाई विश्वास छ हामी सँगसँगै तपाईंले पनि नेपालले सामना गरिरहनुपरेका आर्थिक गतिहीनता, कानुनी शासनको अभावजस्ता विभिन्न विषयहरु अधुरो संविधान निर्माण तथा शान्ति प्रक्रियाको स्थितिबाट सिर्जित अविश्वास तथा तनावको सिकार भैरहेका छन् भन्ने महसुस गर्नुभएकै छ । यस पत्रबाट हामी तपाईंलाई आफ्नो विवेक प्रयोग गरी लोकतान्त्रिक तथा स्थिर नेपालको यस अभियानमा सहयोग पु-याईदिनुहुन अनुरोध गर्दछौं ।

यस संस्था सहभागी दातृ समुदायबाट हालसालै लिइएका दुई कदमहरु धन्यवादका पात्र छन् र तिनीहरुलाई निरन्तरता दिनु जरुरी छ । बेलायती सहयोगी संस्था डीएफआईडी ले देशव्यापी बन्द आयोजना गर्ने एक गैरसरकारी संस्थालाई सहयोग रोक्का गर्ने गरेको निर्णय तथा अमेरिकी दूताबासले बन्द आयोजकहरुलाई अमेरिकी भीसा नदिने भन्ने गरेको निर्णय नवीन तथा नितान्त आवश्यक थिए । अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय भ्रमणलाई निषेध गर्नु एक एकदमै प्रभावकारी ‍औजार हो र हामी त्यस संस्थालगायतलाई उक्त कदमलाई प्रभावकारी रुपमा लागू गर्न जोडदार अपिल गर्दछौं । वास्तवमा सबै क्षेत्रका नेपालीबाट यो बारम्बार व्यक्त भैरहने विचार हो ।

हाम्रो विश्वास छ हाम्रा यी लक्ष्यहरु बहुमत नेपालीहरुको आकांक्षालाई प्रतिबिम्बित गर्दछन् र त्यस संस्थाको मूल्य मान्यतासँग पनि मेल खान्छन् । हामी आशा राख्दछौं त्यस सँस्थाले हाम्रो आग्रहलाई स्वीकार गर्नेछ ।


भवदीय

परिवर्तनको लागि हामी नेपाली एक

यस अभियानको बारेमा थप जानकारीको लागि www.facebook.com/nepalunites लिंकमा थिच्नुहोस् ।

PRESSURE WORKS - Trip to US Cancelled

A small step taking in the right direction. Newspapers (this on Republica) are reporting this morning that the proposed trip of the lawmakers to the US for two weeks (seriously?) has been canceled citing political situation in Nepal being more urgent.

Great! Right moves have to be lauded. So kudos committee members - on seeing sense in the untimeliness of such a trip! Give us the constitution in time and you can have a paid holiday in Khaptad National Park (why spend our money in another country?) courtesy the Nepali people!

And in the hope that such trips would not happen in the future too, a pre-emptive move by the Nepali people came in the form of a OPEN LETTER - which should hit the Daily papers and the internet today - urging all donors, embassies and INGO's not to fund such travel.

Youth Group - COME ON YOUTH Stand Up! had also announced a picketing program at the airport this morning which according to Facebook commitments to attend, would have made quite a show!

One small success! We have miles to go! Keep up the PRESSURE!

Secretly, even the Lawmakers will thank us for it! Join http://facebook.com/nepalunites

Stop Funding International Travel for all 601 CA Lawmakers: Open letter

June 01, 2011

Dear Donors, INGO's and Embassies,

We, the concerned citizens of Nepal, are united in our resolve to hold our government accountable in their conduct and ensure transparency in their actions. We believe that this campaign is in accordance to your stated goal of supporting democratic values and human rights in Nepal. Hence, we would like to request you to stop funding all international travels for our 601 Constituent Assembly (CA) lawmakers and senior politicians of all political parties until the expiry of the extended term of the CA for the next three months. We are certain that you understand and appreciate the value of their time for the country – for them to wholeheartedly focus on completing the peace and constitution drafting process by August, 2011.

Over the last three years, Nepali citizens entrusted our CA lawmakers to draft a strong democratic constitution that will enshrine the universal rights of every Nepali citizen. Unfortunately, too much time was lost in political bickering, blatant power-plays and blame-games. We believe that these delays have been exacerbated by extensive international travels funded by agencies such as yours. While we understand that such trips contribute to capacity building and were intended to support the process, those skills are yet to translate into actions. Completion of the peace process and constitution drafting is both essential and time-sensitive.

We are certain that, along with us, you have also witnessed how the myriad of other serious issues Nepal faces, from economic stalemate, slow and often halted development efforts, to absence of rule to law, have continued to be a “hostage” to the tensions and mistrust that arise from this incomplete constitution drafting and peace process. With this letter, we are requesting you to act on your conscience and support the cause for a democratic and stable Nepal.

There have been two recent efforts from your community that warrant applause and need continuity. DFID’s decision to cut funding to an NGO which has repeatedly called for nation-wide bandhs and the U.S. Embassy’s decision to deny US visas to the organizers of bandhs are both innovative and much-needed. Restricting international travel is one of the most effective "other" tools that can be employed, and we passionately appeal you to enforce it. In fact, it is one of the most recurrent ideas that come from Nepalis from all walks of life.

Our goals reflect, we believe, the aspirations of the majority of the Nepali people and also echoes your values. We hope you will uphold our sincere request.

Sincerely,

Nepal Unites
परिवर्तनको लागि हामी नेपाली एक


For more information on the group and its efforts, please visit www.facebook.com\nepalunites

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परिवर्तनको लागि हामी नेपाली एक (Nepal Unites)
Website: http://facebook.com/nepalunites
Mobile update: sms 2426 and type Nepal
email: nepalunites@gmail.com

Kudos Ace Travels!

And then there are companies such as Ace Travels (www.acetravels.com) who have the guts to put their money where their mouths are. Our politicians could learn a lot from them. Their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/acetravel) is currently a hot bed of debate and opinion flowing from their over 70,000 strong fans. Not satisfied by only leading in the cyber world, they decided to bring the message to the masses.

Yesterday, they put up an advert on the front page of the Kantipur Daily with the simple message "Jyala Pura Leyeu, abha sambidan deu" (you have been paid enough for this job, now give us the constitution).

Kudos Ace Travels! Hats off to you... and I hope businesses, people, politicians specially are led by your example!

Nepal is uniting! The Pressure is ON! Change is inevitable!

SUCCESS: Prachanda says Maoist Lawmakers will take no salary and allowances!

So finally, some of the pressure that the Nepalese people have been asserting has shown results. From nepalnews (read full article here)

"Speaking at an interaction programme organised by ABC Television and Nepal FM in the capital today, he (Prachanda) declared that the lawmakers from his party UCPN (Maoist) will not take the salary and other allowances during the extended time period of CA and urged other political parties to follow suit."

Well said, and thanks for taking the lead, Mr. Prachanda, but you will only gain the respect of the Nepalese people when you implement this.

Nepal is watching you!

On the other side, well done, fellow citizens... Keep the pressure on!