Leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), human rights and social activists, and the people from different groups and communities from all the 75 districts convened in Kathmandu on 26th and 27th April 2010 for National Civil Society Conference organized by NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN).
On the occasion civil society leaders, human rights activists, people engaged in the constitution making and the peace process, foreign dignitaries, leaders of the major political parties and Subash Chandra Nembang , Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly (CA) shared their views on the issues of human rights, social justice, constitution making and the peace process and current political condition of the nation.
CSO leaders expressed their concern to the political party leaders and Chairperson of the CA regarding the delay in the constitution making process. On this the leaders expressed the positions of their parties. Dinanath Sharma, Spokesperson of United Communist Parties of Nepal (Maoist), Bharatmohan Adhikari, Central Committee Member of Communist Party of Nepal (UML), Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Central Committee Member of Nepali Congress and Jitendra Dev, Spokesperson of Madhesi Peoples' Rights Forum (Democratic) spoke on the occasion.
Speaking at the programme Nembang suggested the political parties for a high level political consensus narrowing down the mutual differences. He mooted that the political parties should put aside their differences for constitution and peace building which is the mandate of the people. He pointed that taking hold of the government and constitution making, and integration of the Maoist combatants and the constitution making are different from each other. He urged the political parties to focus on the main agenda which is the constitution building.
His Excellency Finn Thilsted, Royal Danish Ambassador to Nepal, expressed that the people in Denmark believe in democracy, equality and law and order which are the key to the key to economic and social prosperity of Denmark. He said that he likes to see peace and prosperity in Nepal as well. He mooted that economic prosperity is not possible in absence of peace. He suggested that the new constitution in Nepal should guarantee equality, social justice and rule of law. Relating the constitution making and peace process of Nepal, he said to the Nepalis, "to come to your senses, think about diverse society, giving more colour to this beautiful country. Let's hope parties are able to come out of crisis at the last time".
Mr. Robert Piper, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nepal, brought to light the role of the UN in the peace process of Nepal. He hoped that Nepalis will achieve democracy, secularism and sustainable peace through the new constitution. Likewise, he pointed that how the new constitution will be implemented is said little so far. Many institutional developments are to be made for this. Finally, he expressed his commitment to stay with the people of Nepal to build Nepal and its constitution.
The Convention also consisted of two thematic sessions: Peace process and new constitution making: Challenges and opportunities; and Issues of economic, social and cultural transformation in the new constitution. In the first session, which was chaired by NFN General Secretary Sharmila Karki, political analyst C. K. Lal, CA member and woman rights activist Sapana Malla Pradhan, President of Human Rights Alliance Ganesh B. K. and political analyst Shyam Shrestha had their presentations. Likewise, Dr. Yubraj Sangraula, senior lawyer and Minar Pimple, South Asia Regional Coordinator of UN Millennium Campaign presented on the second thematic session chaired by NFN Vice President Lila Bokhim. After the presentations on the thematic issues opportunities were provided to the participants to have their say and to put their queries forward on the issues.
As part of the conference, 16th Annual General Meeting of NFN was held on the second day of the conference. NFN members, from throughout the country, discussed on the organizational and other issues within the NFN. At the conclusion, the conference came up with a civil society declaration appealing the political parties, government and other concerned stakeholders to give constitution building and the peace process a logical end through political consensus. The declaration also focused on the issues like political, economic, social and cultural transformation, impunity, rule of law, aid governance and regulation of INGOs.
