Crisis in Nepal

Kandy resolution on Nepal

June 30, 2005

Special Resolution on Nepal

We, the participants from six countries - Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - in a regional meeting on Poverty and Politics organized by the South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) in Kandy, Sri Lanka (26- 28 June 2005) strongly condemn King Gyanendra's unconstitutional and undemocratic seizure of power on 1 February 2005 and the continuous political repression and harassment of members of the political parties, human rights defenders, members of civil society groups, journalists and lawyers. We also denounce King Gyanendra's continuous undermining of the 1990 constitution, rule of law, and the destruction and dismantling of constitutional bodies and democratic institutions since he came to power after the mysterious royal massacre on 1 June 2001. Moreover, we also express our grave concern about the royal regime's attempt to curtail press freedom and civil liberties through the amendment of the Press Law and Civil Service Act.

We express our strong solidarity and support for the ongoing pro-democratic movements and the agendas (reinstatement of parliament, formation of an all party government, dialogue with the Maoists and constituent assembly election) put forward by the seven political parties.

We urge the entire international community and our respective governments in the region to completely halt all forms of military assistance to the present autocratic regime and extend their support and solidarity to the democratic movements in the country.

Similarly, we call upon the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) to stop all forms of violence, attacks on innocent civilians and country's physical infrastructure, for example education, health, communication services.

Finally, we demand the immediate unconditional release of all the political detainees and prisoners of conscience including the senior human rights defender Krishna Pahadi. Furthermore, we also demand the immediate withdrawal of all the executive orders and directives to curtail freedom and civil rights.

Adopted on June 28, 2005 Kandy, Sri Lanka

GPO Box 21179
Kathmandu, Nepal
E-mail: peace_sb@yahoo.com