It is an honour to have been invited to address this Foundation, as it commemorates the non-violent ideals of Mr Mahendra Narayan Nidhi, at a celebration of Gandhi Jayanti. As your Honorary Chairperson said, it was only last year that the United Nations General Assembly designated the 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as Non-Violence Day, and as the head of a mission which is devoted to assisting Nepal towards the successful completion of its peace process, I am delighted to represent the United Nations at this event.
I had no opportunity to know Mr. Mahendra Narayan Nidhi, but I understand him to have been a shining example of progressive but peaceful politics at a time when Nepal was undergoing great turmoil immediately after the first Jana Andolan. His contribution to peaceful political transformation as a Minister and senior leader of the Nepali Congress, is worth reflecting upon today when Nepal is again in a period of major transition.
Nepal’s peace process has been unique, and each time I return from United Nations headquarters in New York, as I did again early this week, I am reminded how its progress to date stands out and is admired by the international community. But we all know that serious challenges still lie ahead. The future of the Maoist army in the cantonments needs to be decided, as must the restructuring of the state to reflect the aspirations of all Nepalis. These are tasks that can be accomplished only through peaceful discussions in the appropriate forums, as prescribed in the agreements. I look forward to the early establishment of the multi-party Special Committee to oversee the Maoist army’s future, so that its decisions can lead to the completion of UNMIN’s mandate.
Nepal now has an elected Constituent Assembly of unprecedented inclusiveness to resolve the great challenge of restructuring the state. The international community is hopeful that Nepal will continue to make further advances in including women and traditionally marginalized communities in bodies of all kinds, at the same time as a new state structure is discussed and agreed in the constitution-writing process..
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Publisher:
UNMIN
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(2008
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Type / Script:
Press Release
in English
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Keywords:
CONSTITUTIONS, PEACE, PEACE AGREEMENT, PEACE MAKING, ELECTIONS, POLITICAL CONDITIONS, POLITICAL SITUATION, POLITICAL PARTIES, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, POLITICAL COOPERATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, FREEDOM, RIGHT TO INFORMATION, PEACE PROCESS, CIVIL SOCIETY, ARMIES, ARMED FORCES, CEASEFIRES, VIOLENCE
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Thematic Group: UNMIN
:
Peace and Conflict through Political Mission
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Thesaurus:
01.01.00
- Political Conditions, Institutions, Movements
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Reference Link:
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