Campaign for Democracy in Nepal: Press Statement: Protest against the Undemocratic Rule of King Gyanendra

Apr 22nd, 2005 | By admin | Category: Rights in Conflict and Suppression

As part of the Thai labour movement and Asian women workers’ movement, we are having a protest gathering here in the Royal Nepalese Embassy to express our deepest concern about the serious violation of democratic rights, human rights, women rights, and labour rights in Nepal. This is a direct result of the declaration of state of emergency on February 1, 2005 by the King Gyanendra of Nepal.

It is our understanding that following the dismissal of the Royal Government of Nepal, the royal coup issued a decree, which basically suspended all trade union rights and banned meetings of more than five persons. In addition to this decree, we are informed by our counterparts in Nepal that key union/women leaders and activists are included in the list of more than 1,400 persons currently targeted for arrest or close surveillance.

Furthermore, there are many trade union and women leaders and activists who are being arrested arbitrarily without an arrest warrant and denied a trial because they demanded for democracy to be restored. These actions are unacceptable and clearly a violation of all internationally recognized trade union rights and human rights.

Fifteen years ago, after decades of a single party authoritarian rule, backed up by the monarch, the people’s movement in Nepal successfully gained its power and democratic civilian rules were restored in Nepal. However, the King’s action has brought the old system back to Nepal and has resulted in slaughter of democracy.

The justification of the King for his actions is that it is to maintain peace and stability. But we regard it as a move to dismantle the democratic civilian rule and multiparty democracy and the justification offered is not acceptable. The international community regards it as a move to support self-serving interests.

The current autocratic ruling by the King as the head of the cabinet and state has clearly brought in an unstable political situation, has increased violence. It is causing an increase in abuses of democratic norms and human rights. Many reports show more arbitrary detentions, disappearances, tortures and threats. We are alarmed that this is increasing and directed towards the peaceful people’s movement in Nepal.

For the Thai labour movement and Asian women workers movement, restoring democratic and trade union rights is indispensable to put the country back on the path to complete democracy and peace. Peace and stability cannot be gained through autocratic ruling and by dispensing true democracy.

We urge the King and his current puppet cabinet to respect the spirit of democracy and we call upon them to:

1.Repeal the unconstitutional Royal proclamation and end the state of emergency

2.The King to return to being a constitutional monarch

3.Restore multi party system and democracy

4.Release all the trade unionists, women, students, human rights , media people,political activists and all arrested people unconditionally

5.Lift all measures that deny fundamental human rights, and ensure that democracy, press/media freedom and trade union rights exist in the country.

We will continue to monitor the situation and protest until full democracy is restored in Nepal.

“ Respect the Spirit of Nepali People’s Power of 8 April 1990 !

Respect People Power’!

Wasu Diengsungnon, Alliance of Democratic Trade Union

Yaowapa Danse, Women Workers for Liberation (WWL)

Jadet Chowwilai, Friend of Women Foundation (FOW)