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<b>Current Scenario in Katmandu</b>
<p>Katmandu tries to carry on amidst daily demonstrations and the presence of
armed police on its streets. In the midst of this the King is amending laws
while his supporters set up trade unions, various NGOs and royal commissions.
It is a motley of activities while the various socio-political forces pitch
against each other in measured ways. It is becoming clear that the King’s stated
intention to negotiate peace is not happening and he is busy enacting new laws
and establishing autocratic rule. In general there is a wait-and-see atmosphere
while the various forces test each other. It is a very volatile situation and
it appears as if mass movements are going to intensify their protests.
<b>Brief Comments</b>
1. There is vibrant resistance to the oppression of the King’s coup d’etart
government. This is expressed by students from all various student unions and
young people from all various political parties, mass movements and civil society
who are on the streets everyday protesting and battling police who brutally
oppose them.</p>
<p>2. The labour movement has taken the lead in expressing their commitment to
the struggle by coming together. The 3 biggest labour federations in Nepal –
GEFONT (General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions), NTUC (Nepal Trade Union
Congress) and DECONT (Democratic Confederation of Nepalese Trade Unions) together
with the Teachers Union of Nepal, the Public Sector Associations, and various
professional associations have set up joint action programmes to struggle for
democracy. Since February 1 (until 18 September) they have carried out 3 major
mass mobilizations very successfully together – March 8th, 1 July and 10th September.
On 10th September the Fact-finding team was privileged to join 10,000 women
and men from all the workers’ organizations of Nepal in a march and rally in
Katmandu.</p>
<p>3. The women’s labour movement organized the first mass rally since February
1th on 8th March in conjunction with International Working Women’s Day. The
women intend to once again come out on the streets in defiance of the ban on
demonstrations in many part of Katmandu on 20th September. We appeal to you
to express your solidarity to this protest that is jointly organized by the
United Women’s Struggle Committee. The women want a restoration of democracy
to ensure that the rights of women will be protected. It is clear to the women
particularly since February 1th that the Nepalese monarchy clearly represents
the most backward forms of feudalism and patriarchy and they are united in opposing
this retrogression in the rights of women.</p>
<p>4. At the Wider National Workers Conference 10-12th September (organised by
GEFONT, NTUC, DECONT and the Teachers Union of Nepal) they did not only protest
the draconian actions of the King and cohorts but they came up with a joint
roadmap to democracy for workers in Nepal. This joint struggle received support
from the international community that was represented by the ILO Nepal, ACTRAV,
ICFTU-APRO, ICEM, International Metalworkers Federation, TIE Asia and Committee
for Asian Women. The working women and men of Nepal and the global community
sent a clear and univocal message to the King that democracy must be restored
and workers’ and trade union rights protected. This national and International
labour community refuses to accept the attacks on it by the illegal government
of Nepal and will continue to resist this oppression of working women and men
in Nepal.</p>
<p>5. Civil Society Organisations in Nepal and the region continue to take up
the task of protesting, defending and restoring human rights and democracy in
Nepal. They have done extensive monitoring under difficult conditions, Lobbying
support of the international community for democracy in Nepal.</p>
<p>6. The 7 major political parties have begun serious discussion on a joint roadmap
to democracy. This effort is commended by all the mass movements of labour,
women, youth, peasants, students and the professional associations.</p>
<p>7. The response of the Maoist insurgents by declaring a unilateral ceasefire
is welcomed by all sectors of Nepalese society that are committed to democracy
and peace. The King’s refusal to respond to this gesture of peace by continuing
to perpetrate violence in rural Nepal is much regretted. This is contrary to
his professed commitment to peace in Nepal.
We conclude this short update by saying that at this time the forces that are
anti-democracy appear to be weakening. We appeal to you to continue to put pressure
on the King and his anti-democratic forces so that this momentum for democracy
continues to gain strength.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com