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nepal s madesh problem: a peace-building prospective

Outline. Thank You Very Much!. Madesh Problem: What Are the Real Driving Forces (Structural Factors) Behind it?Madesh Movement: What Are the Triggering Factors?Way Forward: What Are the Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions to the Problem?. Madesh Problem: Structural Factors (Greed and Grievances). A Struggle for Securing Identity and RecognitionCulture, tradition, practices and language: Almost all Madeshis have socio-cultural, linguistic and physical affinity with the communities living immedi9456

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nepal s madesh problem: a peace-building prospective

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    1. Nepal’s Madesh Problem: A Peace-Building Prospective Anga R. Timilsina, Ph.D. NASeA-ANMA Joint Convention Atlanta, GA September 2, 2007

    3. Madesh Problem: Structural Factors (Greed and Grievances) A Struggle for Securing Identity and Recognition Culture, tradition, practices and language: Almost all Madeshis have socio-cultural, linguistic and physical affinity with the communities living immediately on the other side of the border in India. A contradiction among Madeshi community about whether they really belong to Nepal Suspicion and/or prejudice among some Pahadi people about Madeshis’ loyalty; a tendency to consider them as ‘Less Nepali’ or ‘Non-Nepali’. Opportunities and Empowerment Issues Low representation of Madeshi people in Nepal’s military and civil service Denial of citizenship rights to Madhesi population because of several reasons including technical difficulties Proportional representation

    4. Outline Madesh Problem: What Are the Real Driving Forces (Structural Factors) Behind it? Madesh Movement: What Are the Triggering Factors? Way Forward: What Are the Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions to the Problem?

    5. Madesh Problem: Triggering Factors The government’s lack of seriousness and responsiveness The government was fulfilling some demands but yet hesitating to give credit to the agitating parties The Government’s hesitation to recognize moral responsibility towards the loss of lives and property The agitating parties’ (including MJF) failure in clearly communicating their demands (e.g., fully proportional representation system; federal political structure) The Maoists’ continued atrocities and highhandedness Culture of violence: The legacy of more than 10-year conflict Underlying international political dynamics: The catalytic role of India and the United States

    6. Outline Madesh Problem: What Are the Real Driving Forces (Structural Factors) Behind it? Madesh Movement: What Are the Triggering Factors? Way Forward: What Are the Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions to the Problem?

    7. Way Forward: Federalism and Diversity Are Key To Building a Stable Multi-Cultural Nepal Short-Term Measures The Major political parties should localize the peace-building efforts by taking their views on Madesh problem to the grassroots level. Madeshi fellows should realize that in a state with combustible mixture of ethnicity, undermining democratic values could be a costly strategy. The government can heal the wounds of Madeshis by Ensuring the rights to use their own language Drafting a new legislation to end discriminations and harshly punish those who uses strong derogatory words against any ethnic group. Recruiting Madeshis in proposed Border Security Force. Long-Term Measures Preparation for a federal structure (principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples): Study the composition of ethnic groups through a new census or a well-designed scientific survey, Carefully analyze the negative and positive consequences of having a federal structure based on certain criteria, and Find measures to ensure the rights of the minorities (in a federal system) and the integrity/sovereignty of the country Federalism in Nepal is a road that has no turning back, but a rush can make things even worse

    8. Optimism: Solution to the Madesh Problem In order to hold the legitimate and acceptable Constituent Assembly Election, security situation in Madesh is key. If Nepal’s major political parties are able to convince the Majority of Madeshi people that they are serious in resolving the Madesh problem, building a new Nepal through the constituent assembly election is possible.

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