Seminar Report of 'The UN, International Laws and Refugees in Nepal'
Background:
“Sambad Nepal” was created in the wake of the despotic move by King Gyanendra Shah to impose an autocratic military rule after suspending all fundamental rights of the people. As a forum for dialog between the people and political parties, the people and rights activists, the people are the media, the people and the international community, etc., Sambad Nepal acquainted the people with the work being done by various actors to protect the rights of the people. Simultaneously, Sambad Nepal also acquainted rights activists, political leaders, media persons and members of the international community with the basic concerns and demands of the people.
Consequent to the People's Movement of 2006, democracy was restored in Nepal and the rights of the people were won back through a long and difficult struggle. In the new political environment, Sambad Nepal found the opportunity to focus its attention on the plight of Tibetan refugees living and working in and around Pokhara.
The situation of the exiled Tibetan is at its worst in the refugee camps in Nepal. Tibetans living as refugees in Nepal, and their children born as refugees within the camps, have the hardest life among all Tibetan in exile. The more closely Sambad Nepal interacted with the refugee community and learned about the conditions in which they live, the more it became apparent that a civic dialog in Nepal was essential if their condition was to be changed for the better.
Tibetan refugees have been confined to fifty year old settlements, denied the right to carry identification documents, denied the right to earn a dignified livelihood, denied the right to hope for a better future for their progeny, and denied the right to improve their own condition through hard work and perseverance. Although subject to Nepalese laws, their rights are not protected by any existing laws, national or international. They have no avenue for redress to their grievances since none of their rights are protected, including the right to free expression, the right to own property, the right to move freely with peaceful intentions, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to practice of belief or religion, the right to livelihood, or the right to education and health care.
In this context, Sambad Nepal organized a seminar to mark the 49th anniversary of Tibetan settlement in Nepal. The event was able to direct the attention of the local community, the civil society, rights activists and the national and international media towards the condition of Tibetans living in Nepal. It became clear that more work was needed to protect their rights.
The two-day seminar organized on the 6th and 7th of October, 2009, was in a series of events aimed at further increasing awareness of this issue and appealing to the wider community, in Nepal and internationally, to assist Sambad Nepal in creating the groundwork through which the problems and grievances of the Tibetan refugee community may be addressed towards a resolution.
A two-day seminar titled “The UN, International Laws and Refugees in Nepal” was organized by Sambad Nepal on October 6th, 2009, in Lumle of Kaski. The conclusions were made public at a press conference in Pokhara on october 7th, 2009.
Sudip Pathak, central chairperson of Human Rights Organization of Nepal [HURON], Yagyaraj Adhikari, regional chief of the National Human Rights Commission, DP Kafle, the general secretary of People's Forum for Human Rights, Bhutan, Taranath Dahal, an ex-president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists and currently the chairperson of the Freedom Forum, and other human rights activists, media personalities and leaders from refugee communities were present at the seminar which was chaired by Nilkantha Sharma, the chairperson of Sambad Nepal. Sudip Pathak, and Sher Bahadur KC, ex-vice chairperson of Nepal Bar Association, presented papers at the seminar.
Brief notes on the proceedings of the seminar are presented below.
Nilkantha Sharma:
Nepal is at an important historical juncture. We have organized this program to understand better the plight of our brothers and sisters who have been forced out of their countries by the policies adopted by our large neighbors: in 1959 by China, which forced Tibetans to leave China, and in 1990 by India, which facilitated the expulsion of Bhutanese Nepalis by the Druk king. India need not have brought Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese descent to Nepal, but it did.
We don't want to get into a political debate over who owns the soil of Tibet. The condition of Tibetan refugees was created by a political cause, and it can only be resolved through political solutions. Tibetan refugees are the descendants of our sisters who have married into the Tibetan society since ancient times, and those from Bhutan are our siblings, equals in culture and language. They are not illegal in Nepal, as they are legitimate refugees under the UN guidelines. Nepal as a nation has never stepped back when it comes to taking advantage of benefits begotten through its membership with the UN, but it has been shamelessly negligent when comes to fulfilling its duties. Nepal Government should search for a unilateral or multi-lateral solution to this crisis.
Sher Bahadur KC (Ex-vice Chairperson, Nepal bar Association):
No host country should repatriate or return a refugee to the country of origin against the refugee's will when there is the possibility that the fundamental rights of the refugee will be threatened or violated in the country of origin. The host country must protect the fundamental rights of any person seeking refuge or asylum and provide for their basic necessities.
Baikuntha Nyaupane (Campus Chief, Bhanu Bhakta Campus):
Nepal Government has neglected the directive given to it by the Supreme Court of Nepal to create laws regarding refugees. Nepal Government should give assurance of security of person, property and liberty to refugees and treat them with due human dignity and respect. The internally displaced refugees in Nepal put in perspective the hardship endured by Tibetan and Bhutanese refugees in Nepal; and the insecurity with which we live reminds us that we are all always on the verge of becoming refugees ourselves.
Bishwa Sigdel (Intellectual):
It is condemnable that Nepal Government has turned away or even surrendered to Chinese authority Tibetan individuals seeking refuge or asylum in Nepal.
Shiva Malla (Member, Broadcasting Association of Nepal) :
We must become united in our effort to assist the refugee communities in Nepal.
Shyam Kunwar (Vice-Chairperson, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Kaski Branch) :
Although refugees have to live under Nepalese laws, the same set of laws do not protect any of their rights, and that is a deplorable situation. Nepal Government has been very active about resettling Bhutanese refugees in a third country, but it hasn't done anything towards the repatriation or resettlement of Tibetan refugees.
Gangadhar Parajuli (Ex-Chairperson, Federation of Nepalese Journalists) :
The civic society in Nepal, although vocal on other human rights issues, has hitherto been silent on the refugee issue. This seminar will be useful in informing all walks of civic life about the conditions of various refugee communities in Nepal, and in creating pressure upon Nepal Government to resolve those crises.
Devimani Bhandari (Rights Activist, Amnesty International, Group-82) :
In a world where the environment is being granted fundamental rights, why is the state of refugee rights in Nepal to dismal? Refugees in Nepal have been deprived of their fundamental rights.
Kapil Mani Dahal (Member, Nepal bar Association) :
The refugees in Nepal must be granted a legal status. They must be either repatriated under suitable conditions, or they must be granted citizenship. They should not be extradited or surrendered against their will.
Kul Bahadur Gurung: (Social Activist) :
I will be forever be dedicated to helping the refugee communities in Nepal.
Nirmal Babu Shrestha (Central Member, Amnesty Nepal) :
There is no political resolve among the political parties to solve the problems of the refugee communities in Nepal. They fear that speaking against India or China in support of the refugee communities will jeopardize their political opportunities, and this fear has been the biggest obstacle in addressing the grievances of the refugee communities. Refugees have been persecuted even for taking out peaceful demonstrations to demand the protection of their rights. Amnesty Internal is ever vigilant against such activities by the State, and will actively campaign against them.
Sudip Pathak (Chairperson, Human Rights Association of Nepal) :
Pathak presented a paper titled “Refugees in Nepal, and International Regulations.” The main issues included in the paper were as follow:
Problems faced by Refugees, and their Solutions
Tibetan Refugees:
There is no environment for independent work aimed at the welfare of the Tibetan refugee community, and their rights to practice their religion and spiritual beliefs have been systematically violated;
They are forced to study under foreign student quotas to become doctors, engineers or chartered accountants. They demand access to privileges and opportunities equal to those enjoyed by Nepali students;
Since any driving license issued contains the designation as a “refugee,” it creates problems with the administration at times of accidents or other incidents;
More than 12,000 Tibetans have been denied identification papers, and no records of deaths or births have been kept for years;
Travel documents have not been issued on the basis of the Refugee Identity Card. Travel documents do not have a 10-year validity. Since travel documents do not have a 10-year validity, they automatically expire after one use. The community's demand is for travel documents that are valid for multiple use over 10 years.
It is necessary for Tibetans to be able to obtain and exchange foreign currency on the basis of the travel documents and be able to travel with such foreign currency.
Tibetans should be able to establish associations, business organizations, industries or other avenues of vocational employment on the basis of appropriate and available identification papers.
Since there is no provision permitting refugees to buy and register vehicles with black plates for vocational or professional use, provisions should be created to make it possible for refugees to buy and register vehicles with black number plates.
Livelihood is a serious challenge for refugees without identification documents.
Tibetan refugees entering Nepali borders continue to be surrendered back to the Chinese authorities, or be arrested and tortured by Nepali police.
Problems faced by Bhutanese Refugees:
A rift is appearing among the refugees who are leaving for resettlement in third countries, and those who want repatriation. Those who want to return to Bhutan live in constant and grave insecurity whereas national and international non-government organizations [I/NGOs] have been very forthcoming in their assistance for those choosing to resettle in third countries.
There is a chronic shortage of food in the refugee camps, which has resulted in serious health problems among the refugees.
There is an extreme lack of security inside the refugee camps.
No successful or serious efforts have been made at higher administrative and diplomatic levels for repatriation of refugees.
The economic condition of the refugees is extremely fragile.
Immediate and vocal discussions at the national and international levels are imperative if the Bhutanese refugee crisis is to be taken towards a resolution.
Leaders from the Bhutanese refugee community have repeatedly put these concerns and demands before Nepal Government and UNHCR.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Nepal Government should immediately ratify the UN Convention on the Status of Refugees, 1951;
Nepal Government must formulate clear and consistent policies regarding refugees;
In order to better facilitate the daily existence of refugees, international cooperation and assistance should be regular and reliable;
There should be regular programs at the civic level aimed at promoting and protecting empathy and fraternal relations between Nepali citizens and refugees;
Nepal Government and the International Community must persistently and cordially dedicate themselves towards guaranteeing the rights of the refugees to respectably return to their country of origin without any fear of persecution against life, liberty or property;
The International Community must be ever vigilant towards reducing the burden of hosting a refugee community by providing regular and substantial assistance to Nepal Government;
Nepal Government must create a high-level mechanism to guarantee, protect and promote the rights of all refugees, and in order to facilitate that, Nepal Government must create the necessary and expansive set of laws regarding refugees;
The role of UNHCR in the Nepali context must be clear, and a SAARC-level mechanism must be created to address refugee issues at a regional scale and to create a SAARC-Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Kiran Poudel (Lecturer, Bhanubhakta Campus) :
The Tibetan refugee issue is an older problem than the Bhutanese refugee issue in Nepal. Bhutanese refugee issue has seen many efforts directed towards its resolution, but nothing has been done to resolve the Tibetan refugee issue.
Karma Tashi Likshey (Camp Chief, Tashi Plakhel Camp, Hemja) :
Tibetan refugees have been living in Nepal for fifty years. Whereas the Tibetan refugee community is grateful for the hospitality and generosity of Nepal Government, our community continues to face serious problems. We request Nepal Government for the following:
1. Let our fundamental right to exist as dignified humans be protected by all sides.
2. Let Nepal Government become a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees, in order to better protect and promote the fundamental rights of all refugees, including the Tibetan refugees.
3. Since Nepal lacks clear and consistent policies regarding refugees, numerous unwritten rules exist for the same work in different districts or offices. Let no individual or official enforce arbitrary rules, but let all decisions be taken in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
4. Identification documents for Tibetans of age 18 years or over: Tibetans have not been provided with Refugee Identity Card since 1995. More than 70 percent of the Tibetan youth of age 18 and over living in Pokhara do not have identification papers.
5. Right to equal access to higher education: Tibetan youths possessing Refugee Identity Cards are required to pay large sums in tuitions fees for higher studies in professional subjects like medicine, engineering, as they are charged tuitions as foreign nationals. Tibetan youths should be accorded access to higher education that is equal to the privileges given to their Nepali counterparts.
6. Right to equal access to employment opportunities: Tibetan youth, although highly educated, are often unemployed. Whereas many educated youth do not possess any identification document, the Refugee Identity Card doesn't permit them to work on equal terms with their Nepali counterparts either. The few Tibetans who find employment with private companies are contracted as foreign nationals.
7. Let there be a mechanism that assists Tibetan entrepreneurs to register their businesses to legitimize them through taxation.
8. Just as Nepali citizens have the right and opportunity to avail themselves of passports and other travel documents as required, let there be a mechanism through which Tibetans can avail themselves of appropriate travel documents as required by their travel needs.
9. The cordiality between Nepali and Tibetan communities is decades old. However, there are periodic and greatly exaggerated reports in the media that seriously threaten this relationship. Such reports immensely hurt the sentiments of our community. Therefore, we humbly appeal to you that our doors are always open to anybody wanting tonunderstand the nuances or truths of these matters, so that no false witness against our cordial relations may find encouragement.
10. Let Nepal Government work towards creating the necessary environment for the return of Tibetan refugees to their homeland. Until such a day shall come, let Nepal Government take the responsibility of guaranteeing, protecting and promoting the fundamental human rights of all refugees in Nepal.
DP Kafle ( General Secretary, People's Forum for Human Rights ) :
There are three options to solve any refugee crisis: repatriation, assimilation, and third-country resettlement, in this order or preference. The Bhutanese refugee crisis jumped straight to the third option, neglecting any exercise for repatriation. This is a conspiracy to erase out the identity of Bhutanese people of Nepalese origin. Bhutanese refugee leaders who were vocal about the issue of repatriation have been assassinated inside the refugee camps. Four leaders have been killed so far. We fear for our lives inside Nepal. The Human Rights Commission should guarantee for us the right to expression. A permanent task force for refugees called the National Commission for Refugees should be created. Political asylum should be given to political leaders and others wanted by Bhutan or China and the protection of their lives must be guaranteed. Bhutanese nationals, under Indo-Bhutanese treaty of 1949, can't be designated refugees in India, and therefore cannot fight for their rights from Indian soil.
Yagya Raj Adhikari (Regional Chief, National Human Rights Commission) :
Even if Nepal Government delays signing the International Convention on Refugees, it can protect the fundamental human rights of refugees by creating national laws that protect and promote their rights. It is unfortunate that the decade long civil war made it impossible to pay attention to the plight of refugees in Nepal, but the times have changed now. National laws must be created to guarantee and protect the rights of refugees.
Ram Chandra Tripathi (Advocate) :
Most Tibetans in Nepal do not have identification documents. If their stay in Nepal is to be legitimized, they must be issued identification documents.
Jyoti Bhattachan (Professor) :
Nepal should grant asylum to any individual seeking asylum under duress. Tibetan culture should be preserved.
Sonam Syangpo (Tibetan Refugee, Community Leader ) :
Out driving licenses are marked “refugee,” which works as signal to corrupt officials and bureaucrats to press us for bribes. This is just a small example of the daily life we live, marked by our status, voiceless because none of our rights are protected.
Shreebhakta Khanal (Executive editor, Pokhara Aawaj Daily) :
There are no laws regarding refugees in Nepali legislature. Refugees have only been granted refuge in Nepal, but none of their rights are guaranteed or protected. They should be extended humanitarian assistance also, and shown the respect and dignity they deserve. Almost 70% of Tibetans living in Nepal have no identification documents. Clause 7 of their Refugee Identity Card stipulates that they must seek the permission of the local administration before moving between different parts of Nepal, which is in direct violation of the spirit of Universal Declaration of Human Rights that guarantees free movement for individuals who travel with peaceful intentions without carrying weapons.
Taranath Dahal (Ex-Chairperson, Federation of Nepalese Journalists ) :
It is considered a crime to speak on refugee issues in Nepal. Are the Tibetan, Bhutanese and other refugees in Nepal criminals of some sort? Nepal follows the One-China Policy. That is a political issue, and we need not comment on that. But, we must raise our voice when the rights of any individual, including those of refugees, are violated.
A 15 point Lumle Declaration was passed at the end of the seminar. Those 15 points were presented before a press conference held on 7th October in Pokhara.
Sambad Nepal organized a two day seminar on United Nations Organization and Nepal in Lumle, Kaski on October 6th and 7th, 2009. Participating in the seminar were central chairperson of Nepal Human Rights Organization, Sudip Pathak; DP Kafle of People's Forum for Human Rights Bhutan; former President of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Taranath Dahal and many others. The seminar passed a 15-point declaration regarding refugees in Nepal.
1. A national policy be declared to identify, legitimize to and ensure humane treatment of Bhutanese, Tibetan and other refugees living in Nepal.
2. The Nepal Government sign and approve the 1951 convention on refugees and the optional article, 1967.
3. National legal provisions be immediately formulated to implement the Supreme Court's suggestions based on International Convention on Refugees and other related international laws.
4. The rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and ICCPR be applied to refugees as well.
5. End insecurity of Bhutanese, Tibetan and other refugees in Nepal and guarantee life security and other facilities like engagement in occupation of choice, permit for periodic employment and study like a Nepali without any discrimination by issuing identity card, and periodic travel document.
6. An environment for dignified and secure return of Bhutanese, Tibetan and other refugees staying in Nepal be created. Provide an exit permit in an equal manner if any entity wants to resettle the refugees in a third country.
7. A clear and transparent policy be adopted for the continuity and a transparent and effective distribution of international assistance as the Bhutanese and Tibetan refugees staying in Nepal are facing difficulty in basic everyday living.
8. Contrary to the basis guaranteed by international law related to refugees that it is inhuman to expel or forcefully repatriate refugees if there is threat to their life or liberty, these inhuman acts be stopped.
9. The inequality created among the refugees by proceeding with third country resettlement without first taking initiatives to create an environment for dignified and secure return of the refugees to their home be stopped.
10. Guarantee an environment for obtaining respectful refuge for people of Bhutan, Tibet and Burma fleeing from their home after facing insecurity to life due to political, ideological, cultural, and geographical reasons.
11. Equal treatment in the provision of relief among refugees living in Nepal be ensured.
12. Initiatives be taken for a regional treaty by creating an effective SAARC level regional refugee related mechanism (South Asian Refugees Commission).
13. Guarantee return and secure livelihood of Nepali citizens displaced internally and externally from internal conflict.
14. There be a provision in the new constitution being drafted in Nepal for all to use individual fundamental rights guaranteed by international treaties and conventions without any obstacle.
15. A decision is taken to express commitment from all civil society entities at the local, district and central level to continuously raise voice for secure and dignified livelihood of all Nepali citizens and refugee citizens.
For further information please contact 98460-48168 (Nilkantha Sharma, Chairman, Sambad Nepal), 98461-06646 (Sribhakta Khanal, General Secretary, Sambad Nepal)
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Anti Landmine Kit
The Beginning
A vehicle belonging to The Annapurna Post carrying the papers and magazines was caught in a landmine explosion planted by the Maoists at Ghansikuwa, Tanhaun. Kanyaras Gurung, the driver, died on the spot and the other two were severely injured. People started flocking to the scene, and the explosion could well be heard at a teashop some fifty meters away from the spot. "What was that?" curious were the customers. One of the customers enjoying a cup of tea made a casual remark," Nothing serious, the Annapurna Post vehicle got caught in a landmine explosion." It appeared as if the Maoists deliberately did this.
Immediately after the first sate of emergency came into effect, we headed towards Rukum-Jajarkot for spot reporting. We had to spend the night at Chhinchu in Surkhet.The next day at nine there was a big explosion in front of the division road office. A young schoolgirl was sopping in blood and panicking. She was the victim of the landmine bomb planted by the security forces stationed there. According to the locals a dog too had died that way there in the past.
A few years ago we ran into a young Maoist guerilla that looked no more than fifteen. Back home for a month long vacation, his working area was Tanahun. He became little expansive and confessed with pride that his team was the one to have trapped the then Deputy Inspector General, Kumar Koirala and his group in landmine explosion. In January 2002 a van escorting a senior police officer that was heading towards Manapang Village Development Committee( VDC) was caught in a landmine explosion some 13 kilometers away from Damauli, the district headquarters.
"We can protect ourselves from the explosion if we can keep away from suspicious objects. If any objects are found in places where they are not supposed to be, for example, Pressure Cooker supposed to be in the kitchen if is found in the garden, road, school, bathroom or in any other place should not be touched, tampered and the bomb exposal team has to be informed." Department of Information, Nepal Government.
The above mentioned examples should be enough to illustrate how people are victimized in landmine explosions and how grave its psychological effects are.
Landmines means ammunition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or
Other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person or a vehicle. Likewise, a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons is called Anti-personnel mine. Generally landmines tear apart the bottom part of the foot, fractures chest and the back, and may cause blindness and deafness. Depending upon the nature of the explosive, it may even claim a human life. As per the definition of landmines, this is factory made and especially made for mines purpose. The context of Nepal, however, is different. In Nepal the explosives planted on the road targeting the vehicles and humans are known as landmines. But such explosive matters used in Nepal are technically Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's).
Though Mine, Landmine, Booby Trap, Improvised Explosive Devices, Bomb, etc, are defined differently, when they are used in anti human task, they serve the same purpose: destruction and annihilation. We strongly feel that all kinds of explosives that destruct life and property should be defined under "explosion." That's why our organization helps all the injured ones in the armed conflicts except for "bullet injury." In this booklet, in place of Improvised Explosive Device's(IED's),landmine and explosion are used in certain places.
From landmine, more innocents are victimized than the parties involved in the conflict. It doesn't distinguish between the commoners and armed person or disarmed one. The scariest thing about it is that it causes untimely deaths years after the war is over. The victims would be children, shepherds, people working in the fields, women going to forest to get fodder etc, who never had anything to do with the war. Not only will the victims and their families suffer economically and socially but also go through a psychological trauma for a long time. The explosives lying scattered at the site and scattered are known as Explosive Remnant of War (ERW). Many Nepalese have lost their lives because of such explosions. Due to geography it's difficult here to dispose such explosives. Says a Maoist leader, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi,"Sometimes against our spirit civilians have been troubled in the war. Likewise we are deeply concerned about how the explosives scattered around the war spot could be removed."
The group within the Maoists associated with the landmine explosion is known as the "Mine Group" and it provides security to their programmes. In 12 July 2001, the some of the Maoist cadres killed in the process of seizing the police post at Bichaur were, according to a statement issued by the Maoists, the members of their mine group. The Maoists had formally announced from their stages at Harmi in Gorkha, Bhawawang in Rolpa and Bafikot in Rukum that landmine explosion had been employed all around the sites for security reasons. Whichever side plants the landmine hasn't just victimized his" enemy" but many victims have been the innocent ones and the ones planting the landmine themselves.Two Maoist cadres died at Sipaghat in Sindupalchok some years back when they were trying to lodge a landmine targeting the police. One met an instant death and the other who was severely injured and unable to bear the pain committed suicide by slitting his throat. Likewise inspector Deepak Kharel, assistant sub inspector Narayan Sharma and constable Jog Bahadur Budha and constable Nurdev Shah died while trying to plant a landmine on 4 April 2000. Likewise ,an innocent woman ,Sharada Devi Acharya sustained injuries on the leg and the eye on twenty March 2003 while cutting grass when a landmine planted by the Narsingh battalion exploded at Simkharkha barrack in Salyan.
Most of the landmine victims lose their lives due to lack of instant treatment and funds. Mortality rate can be reduced if the bleeding can be stopped right away and be rushed to the hospital. The longer it takes to take the injured to the hospital the longer will be the duration of the treatment. This will not only be more costly but at the same time may lead to amputation of limbs, loss of eye sight, hearing power, etc.
The number of Nepalese dying everyday due to different kinds of explosions and landmine has increased. The number due to this was 6 in 1998, whereas in 2005 it rose upto 210. During a span of eleven years, the record deaths due to landmine was marked in 2004. That year 389 Nepalese were killed. The highest casualty at a single incident was marked in 6 June 2005 at Madi Chitwan when a public bus (Na 1 Kha 3245) was caught in a landmine explosion. 39 died and 72 were injured. As no written commitment has been expressed by both the government and the Maoists on non use of landmine explosion, the number of the victims has risen considerably.
Neither the Maoists nor the security forces had used the landmine in the first year of the "people's war". With the coming of the new year , the Maoists started practising the landmine making technique at Thawang in Rolpa. For the first time the Maoist planted a landmine at Rukum Tak VDC in Rukum , targeting the police in May 1996. But a lady came and lingered around the place for long and they couldn't detonate it out of fear that it would hurt her and the two policemen were subsequently shot to death. The first landmine use from the Maoist side was near a police post at Magma VDC in Rukum district on 15 May 1997 where superintendent of police Bhim Raj Nepal and constable Til Bahadur Poudel died on the spot. This problem initially confined to Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Jajarkot has now spread throught out the country. According the security sources , the Maoists learnt this method from the "People's War Group" India. This is as destructive as the factory made landmine. Of late, the Maoists have used the explosives snatched from the security personnel in making landmine. In the early days of the people's war the explosives, forty thousand detonators, looted from Kalikatar in Tanahun and in Feb 1996 the explosives looted from the bunker of road office in Charikot, Dolkha had reached the hands of the Maoists. The gelatin and detonators brought for Jumla-Surkhet section of the road and Kaligandaki hydro electricity project too have been seized by the Maoists. The Maoits had taken away explosives in a big amount after attacking the army barrack in Ghorahi, Dang in 23 November 2001.
The Maoists use pressure cooker, iron pieces, glas bits, etc in making landmine. Based on the size and their capacity, the price of the landmine ranges from 0.3 cent to 12 US dollars. The IED's that cost less than 12 dollars could inflict harm of more than 1000 US dollars.
The Maoists killed army brigadier Sagar Bahadur Pandey and his wife Pushpa using landmine at Pandrang in Makawanpur on 15 November 2003. The Maoists had called it a "Roadside Bomb" as well. In 14 June 2004, When the vehicle of the armed police force was trapped in landmine explosion at Khairikhola, Banke 22 policemen died. In 3 Feb 2001, The then chief justice was luckily saved when the Maoists had detonated a landmine placed in the ground at Chhaisatthi while the team was en route to Surkhet from Chhinchu. Before that in May 1999, when the then prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala was in Raniban near Liwang, the district headquarters of Rolpa, in the course of Mid term election campaigns, he had almost been the victim of the landmine planted by the Maoists.
These incidents were based on "Command Wire Guided "and "Timer" technology. The Maoists have been using "Victim Activated Mine" that explodes upon being touched ,vehicles plying over, or meddling with them. This is even more dangerous for anyone.
The Maoists have been detonating various switch system based explosives, like, pull switch, release switch, pressure switch, etc. The gelatin looted from the Royal Nepalese Army too is used for explosion. Till date neither the Maoists nor the Army has used conventional mine. If conventional mine is used in Nepal, Nepal too will face the problems faced by Burundi, Afganistan or Angola. The security sources claim that the chief source of gelatin which the Maoists use for explosion is India. The Maoists have succeeded in getting some it from the Nepalese who work in Indian mines. The Maoists use this commercial high explosive, called gelatin, in making socket bombs and other explosives. Different household utensils connected to timer, digital watch, Integrated Circit (IC), pager, etc, have been linked with explosives and detonated. Some years ago the Maoists had killed an army men at Krishna Mandir, Lalitpur using IC as timer switch. This was the most advanced technology used so far. The Indian fertilizer found in market ,which contains nitrogen, too is used in making explosives.
There are some equipment that can detect bombs and other explosives but it's not technically viable to use them everywhere for they have their own limitations. The rebels have been ambushing the vehicles of the army. The explosives placed that way can't be detected and there will be more damage in such cases. In the vehicular explosion at Chitwan buckets filled with explosives were placed underneath the ground. The army has some antimine vehicles. The high carbon steel that they are made up of protect them from the landmine to some extent but if the amount of explosives is high, then the vehicles may overturn, slip or be totally damaged. The task of defusing explosives is equally difficult.
The data of exact number of landmine victims hasn't yet come out in Nepal. In most of the cases one has to rely on the data that the papers provide. The victims out of fear that they could be in trouble if they go and report the case of the landmine explosion don't go to the concerned place. And because these things normally happen in rural areas, they don't come in light and in many places it's not possible to acquire information about these incidents through phone contact as these places don't have telephone access. Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NGO) has published a data "Explosion" that illustrates all the records on Landmine, Aerial Attack, Ambush and Improvised Explosive Devices(IED's). That organization has made its network that expands in thirty five districts as its medium of data collection. The statistics is as follows:
In the span of eleven years of People's War new words, like petrol bomb, bucket bomb, socket bomb, banner bomb, etc, have been added in Nepali language. So many words like, detonator, fuse wire, grenade, etc have already become familiar though they don't have Nepali names. As per the nature of the explosives, the names have been given accordingly, for example, pager bomb, call bell bomb, etc. These kind of explosives have been used both in rural as well as city areas.The schools of the remote areas too have been affected by the explosions. As most of the schools in Nepal lie in flat lands and have good water, toilet and furniture facility, both the Maoists and the security forces choose them . The Maoists use the school even more than the security forces. The Maoists have prioritized the school as it's easy to write slogans and make the students and the teachers compulsorily listen to their views. The bombs unconsciously left behind by the Maoists while lodging at schools have claimed the lives of many schoolchildren. An army officer, under the condition of unanimity, says," We have not used Mine with a view to killing anyone neither have we produced or imported landmines. Mine Clearance or Recovery is equally risky for the army too. We planted the mine for the security of our camp some years ago but that brought us trouble. After leaving the camp we have now, surrounded those places by barbed wires. A mine had been planted to safeguard a telephone tower but one of our officers was caught in it and lost one of his legs. We have been more cautious about it after that." The mine planted by the army to protect its camp is said to have been managed after the camp shifts from that place.
According to that officer, the Royal Nepalese Army doesn't use the mine. But it does detonate the wire connected explosive through the Command Ware Guided principle should it feel threatened. This is exploded by placing on or under the ground as per the convenience. According to him this is not mine but simply explosive weapon because it explodes only when the button is pressed and doesn't explode itself. The army uses Command Ware Guided Devices in all places. Any explosive, like bomb, grenade, could be exploded through this principle. He says that the army has the stock of some of the mines brought for training, under its command.
According to the newsletter of International Campaign to Ban landmines, around ten thousand landmines have been planted in fifty army posts in Nepal. Some years ago the then spokesperson of the army, Deepak Gurung , mentioned that anti personnel mines and anti vehicle mines had been the protective measures of the camps. The army plants the explosives in barracks, important government offices, places it lodges in while out on search operations, telecommunications tower, etc. The army too has the possession of Claymor which can totally destroy the human body and MN-14 blast mine that will totally damage the part that comes in contact with the explosive. But the army claims not to have used these kinds of mines.
For the protection of the barracks, the army plants the landmines around military area. The army also plants the mines in the routes most commonly used by the Maoists at night and removes them in the day time. But the news of the Maoists falling into such traps hasn't come out yet. On the other hand, due to lack of enough precautions, army men have died in the course of planting these mines. It's latest example has been Mohan Basnet of Lamjung Vir Pustun barrack. He has lost the part of the leg below his knee in the first week of April when the mine planted at the barrack exploded. For the human targeted mines, 13 hundred grams of explosives is enough and the more the amount of explosives the more powerful it is. Generally when pressurized by objects that weigh more than nine kg those explosives explode.
Explosions don't have eyes and they don't distinguish between the one's own side and the other. Why should then they be used?
Mine means a type of bomb that is hidden under the ground or in the sea and that explodes when some body /something touches it.
Landmine is a type of self-contained explosive device which is placed on to or in to the ground exploding when trigged by vehicle or person. The name originates from the pratice of shaping, where tunnels were dug under opposite forces or fortifications and filled with explosive. Landmines generally refer to devices specially manufactured for purpose, as disting vished from improvised explosive devices.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) is a formal name for explosive devices as often used in unconventional warfare by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces in a theater of operations. An IED's is a device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. It may incorporate military stores, but is normally devised from nonmilitary components. An IED's typically consists of an explosive charge, possibly a booster charge, a detonator and a mechanism either mechanical or electronic, known as the initiation system. IED's are extremely diverse in design, and may contain any type of firing device or initiator, plus various commercial, military, or contrived chemical or explosive fillers. Highly sophisticated IED's have been constructed from arming devices scavenged from conventional munitions and easily purchased electronic components, as well as consumer devices such as mobile phones, timer, call bell etc. The degree of sophistication depends on the ingenuity of the designer and the tools and materials available. They are are 'home-made' devices to harm or kill. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the press has often referred to these devices as roadside bombs.
Formally the campaign against the landmine started in October, 1992. Seven human rights organizations comprising Handicap International, Human Right Watch, Media International, Mines Advisory Groups, Physicians for Human Right and Vietnam Veterans of America foundation joined hands to campaign for the ban of the landmines. After that in October itself, International Campaign to Ban Landmines was formed. On 3 December, an international conference was held in the capital of Canada that sanctioned the international treaty to ban the landmine. It has imposed restriction on import and export, use and storage of landmines which is known as Mine Ban Treaty or Ottawa Treaty. Nepal has not signed this treaty but has cast its vote in the general convention of the UN in supporting the prohibition of the landmines. The Maoists and the state have neither made the commitment of using the landmines nor have they opposed the Ottawa Treaty. They have been quietly moving ahead from their own places.
Shree bhakta Khanal is an investigative journalist. One of Nepal's best journalists, Khanal personally visit the rural and war affected ares to collect the news. General people have highly acknowleaged his works regarding internal security, human interest and the Maoists 'Peoples war'. He'd even organized a photo exhibition regarding the Maoists war called 'No peace Here' in March 2004 in Kathmandu. He has training of telivision documentary from 'Danish school of journalism' in 2005. He can be reached at : livingrocknepal@hotmail.com
Having finished his schooling from Budhanilkantha High school, Suresh Lohani Presently is a Teacher by occupation. He's had his higher education in English literatwce from Nainital India. He's even the founder Member of Dhapasi school which is a private one. Besides being teacher at few education institutes of kathmandu 'A Level'. Equally interested in social service, he's the founder member of an NGO, " Helpful Friend" which is specially opened for Landmine victims and physically disables of Nepal. He is an active member of it. He can be reached at : sureshlohani@hotmail.com
This booklet is published by This booklet is published by 'Helpful Friend' an organization, working against Landmines and Physical Disability. Executive Body of the organization.
Yadu Lamichhane
Advisor
Bal Kumar Aryal
President
Muna Sharma
Vive President
Suresh Lohani
Secretary
Shree Bhakta Khanal
Treasurer
Ambika Amgain
Member
Nawa Raj Dhakal
Member
Dinesh LohaniMember
A vehicle belonging to The Annapurna Post carrying the papers and magazines was caught in a landmine explosion planted by the Maoists at Ghansikuwa, Tanhaun. Kanyaras Gurung, the driver, died on the spot and the other two were severely injured. People started flocking to the scene, and the explosion could well be heard at a teashop some fifty meters away from the spot. "What was that?" curious were the customers. One of the customers enjoying a cup of tea made a casual remark," Nothing serious, the Annapurna Post vehicle got caught in a landmine explosion." It appeared as if the Maoists deliberately did this.
Immediately after the first sate of emergency came into effect, we headed towards Rukum-Jajarkot for spot reporting. We had to spend the night at Chhinchu in Surkhet.The next day at nine there was a big explosion in front of the division road office. A young schoolgirl was sopping in blood and panicking. She was the victim of the landmine bomb planted by the security forces stationed there. According to the locals a dog too had died that way there in the past.
A few years ago we ran into a young Maoist guerilla that looked no more than fifteen. Back home for a month long vacation, his working area was Tanahun. He became little expansive and confessed with pride that his team was the one to have trapped the then Deputy Inspector General, Kumar Koirala and his group in landmine explosion. In January 2002 a van escorting a senior police officer that was heading towards Manapang Village Development Committee( VDC) was caught in a landmine explosion some 13 kilometers away from Damauli, the district headquarters.
"We can protect ourselves from the explosion if we can keep away from suspicious objects. If any objects are found in places where they are not supposed to be, for example, Pressure Cooker supposed to be in the kitchen if is found in the garden, road, school, bathroom or in any other place should not be touched, tampered and the bomb exposal team has to be informed." Department of Information, Nepal Government.
The above mentioned examples should be enough to illustrate how people are victimized in landmine explosions and how grave its psychological effects are.
Landmines means ammunition designed to be placed under, on or near the ground or
Other surface area and to be exploded by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person or a vehicle. Likewise, a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons is called Anti-personnel mine. Generally landmines tear apart the bottom part of the foot, fractures chest and the back, and may cause blindness and deafness. Depending upon the nature of the explosive, it may even claim a human life. As per the definition of landmines, this is factory made and especially made for mines purpose. The context of Nepal, however, is different. In Nepal the explosives planted on the road targeting the vehicles and humans are known as landmines. But such explosive matters used in Nepal are technically Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's).
Though Mine, Landmine, Booby Trap, Improvised Explosive Devices, Bomb, etc, are defined differently, when they are used in anti human task, they serve the same purpose: destruction and annihilation. We strongly feel that all kinds of explosives that destruct life and property should be defined under "explosion." That's why our organization helps all the injured ones in the armed conflicts except for "bullet injury." In this booklet, in place of Improvised Explosive Device's(IED's),landmine and explosion are used in certain places.
From landmine, more innocents are victimized than the parties involved in the conflict. It doesn't distinguish between the commoners and armed person or disarmed one. The scariest thing about it is that it causes untimely deaths years after the war is over. The victims would be children, shepherds, people working in the fields, women going to forest to get fodder etc, who never had anything to do with the war. Not only will the victims and their families suffer economically and socially but also go through a psychological trauma for a long time. The explosives lying scattered at the site and scattered are known as Explosive Remnant of War (ERW). Many Nepalese have lost their lives because of such explosions. Due to geography it's difficult here to dispose such explosives. Says a Maoist leader, Top Bahadur Rayamajhi,"Sometimes against our spirit civilians have been troubled in the war. Likewise we are deeply concerned about how the explosives scattered around the war spot could be removed."
The group within the Maoists associated with the landmine explosion is known as the "Mine Group" and it provides security to their programmes. In 12 July 2001, the some of the Maoist cadres killed in the process of seizing the police post at Bichaur were, according to a statement issued by the Maoists, the members of their mine group. The Maoists had formally announced from their stages at Harmi in Gorkha, Bhawawang in Rolpa and Bafikot in Rukum that landmine explosion had been employed all around the sites for security reasons. Whichever side plants the landmine hasn't just victimized his" enemy" but many victims have been the innocent ones and the ones planting the landmine themselves.Two Maoist cadres died at Sipaghat in Sindupalchok some years back when they were trying to lodge a landmine targeting the police. One met an instant death and the other who was severely injured and unable to bear the pain committed suicide by slitting his throat. Likewise inspector Deepak Kharel, assistant sub inspector Narayan Sharma and constable Jog Bahadur Budha and constable Nurdev Shah died while trying to plant a landmine on 4 April 2000. Likewise ,an innocent woman ,Sharada Devi Acharya sustained injuries on the leg and the eye on twenty March 2003 while cutting grass when a landmine planted by the Narsingh battalion exploded at Simkharkha barrack in Salyan.
Most of the landmine victims lose their lives due to lack of instant treatment and funds. Mortality rate can be reduced if the bleeding can be stopped right away and be rushed to the hospital. The longer it takes to take the injured to the hospital the longer will be the duration of the treatment. This will not only be more costly but at the same time may lead to amputation of limbs, loss of eye sight, hearing power, etc.
The number of Nepalese dying everyday due to different kinds of explosions and landmine has increased. The number due to this was 6 in 1998, whereas in 2005 it rose upto 210. During a span of eleven years, the record deaths due to landmine was marked in 2004. That year 389 Nepalese were killed. The highest casualty at a single incident was marked in 6 June 2005 at Madi Chitwan when a public bus (Na 1 Kha 3245) was caught in a landmine explosion. 39 died and 72 were injured. As no written commitment has been expressed by both the government and the Maoists on non use of landmine explosion, the number of the victims has risen considerably.
Neither the Maoists nor the security forces had used the landmine in the first year of the "people's war". With the coming of the new year , the Maoists started practising the landmine making technique at Thawang in Rolpa. For the first time the Maoist planted a landmine at Rukum Tak VDC in Rukum , targeting the police in May 1996. But a lady came and lingered around the place for long and they couldn't detonate it out of fear that it would hurt her and the two policemen were subsequently shot to death. The first landmine use from the Maoist side was near a police post at Magma VDC in Rukum district on 15 May 1997 where superintendent of police Bhim Raj Nepal and constable Til Bahadur Poudel died on the spot. This problem initially confined to Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Jajarkot has now spread throught out the country. According the security sources , the Maoists learnt this method from the "People's War Group" India. This is as destructive as the factory made landmine. Of late, the Maoists have used the explosives snatched from the security personnel in making landmine. In the early days of the people's war the explosives, forty thousand detonators, looted from Kalikatar in Tanahun and in Feb 1996 the explosives looted from the bunker of road office in Charikot, Dolkha had reached the hands of the Maoists. The gelatin and detonators brought for Jumla-Surkhet section of the road and Kaligandaki hydro electricity project too have been seized by the Maoists. The Maoits had taken away explosives in a big amount after attacking the army barrack in Ghorahi, Dang in 23 November 2001.
The Maoists use pressure cooker, iron pieces, glas bits, etc in making landmine. Based on the size and their capacity, the price of the landmine ranges from 0.3 cent to 12 US dollars. The IED's that cost less than 12 dollars could inflict harm of more than 1000 US dollars.
The Maoists killed army brigadier Sagar Bahadur Pandey and his wife Pushpa using landmine at Pandrang in Makawanpur on 15 November 2003. The Maoists had called it a "Roadside Bomb" as well. In 14 June 2004, When the vehicle of the armed police force was trapped in landmine explosion at Khairikhola, Banke 22 policemen died. In 3 Feb 2001, The then chief justice was luckily saved when the Maoists had detonated a landmine placed in the ground at Chhaisatthi while the team was en route to Surkhet from Chhinchu. Before that in May 1999, when the then prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala was in Raniban near Liwang, the district headquarters of Rolpa, in the course of Mid term election campaigns, he had almost been the victim of the landmine planted by the Maoists.
These incidents were based on "Command Wire Guided "and "Timer" technology. The Maoists have been using "Victim Activated Mine" that explodes upon being touched ,vehicles plying over, or meddling with them. This is even more dangerous for anyone.
The Maoists have been detonating various switch system based explosives, like, pull switch, release switch, pressure switch, etc. The gelatin looted from the Royal Nepalese Army too is used for explosion. Till date neither the Maoists nor the Army has used conventional mine. If conventional mine is used in Nepal, Nepal too will face the problems faced by Burundi, Afganistan or Angola. The security sources claim that the chief source of gelatin which the Maoists use for explosion is India. The Maoists have succeeded in getting some it from the Nepalese who work in Indian mines. The Maoists use this commercial high explosive, called gelatin, in making socket bombs and other explosives. Different household utensils connected to timer, digital watch, Integrated Circit (IC), pager, etc, have been linked with explosives and detonated. Some years ago the Maoists had killed an army men at Krishna Mandir, Lalitpur using IC as timer switch. This was the most advanced technology used so far. The Indian fertilizer found in market ,which contains nitrogen, too is used in making explosives.
There are some equipment that can detect bombs and other explosives but it's not technically viable to use them everywhere for they have their own limitations. The rebels have been ambushing the vehicles of the army. The explosives placed that way can't be detected and there will be more damage in such cases. In the vehicular explosion at Chitwan buckets filled with explosives were placed underneath the ground. The army has some antimine vehicles. The high carbon steel that they are made up of protect them from the landmine to some extent but if the amount of explosives is high, then the vehicles may overturn, slip or be totally damaged. The task of defusing explosives is equally difficult.
The data of exact number of landmine victims hasn't yet come out in Nepal. In most of the cases one has to rely on the data that the papers provide. The victims out of fear that they could be in trouble if they go and report the case of the landmine explosion don't go to the concerned place. And because these things normally happen in rural areas, they don't come in light and in many places it's not possible to acquire information about these incidents through phone contact as these places don't have telephone access. Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NGO) has published a data "Explosion" that illustrates all the records on Landmine, Aerial Attack, Ambush and Improvised Explosive Devices(IED's). That organization has made its network that expands in thirty five districts as its medium of data collection. The statistics is as follows:
In the span of eleven years of People's War new words, like petrol bomb, bucket bomb, socket bomb, banner bomb, etc, have been added in Nepali language. So many words like, detonator, fuse wire, grenade, etc have already become familiar though they don't have Nepali names. As per the nature of the explosives, the names have been given accordingly, for example, pager bomb, call bell bomb, etc. These kind of explosives have been used both in rural as well as city areas.The schools of the remote areas too have been affected by the explosions. As most of the schools in Nepal lie in flat lands and have good water, toilet and furniture facility, both the Maoists and the security forces choose them . The Maoists use the school even more than the security forces. The Maoists have prioritized the school as it's easy to write slogans and make the students and the teachers compulsorily listen to their views. The bombs unconsciously left behind by the Maoists while lodging at schools have claimed the lives of many schoolchildren. An army officer, under the condition of unanimity, says," We have not used Mine with a view to killing anyone neither have we produced or imported landmines. Mine Clearance or Recovery is equally risky for the army too. We planted the mine for the security of our camp some years ago but that brought us trouble. After leaving the camp we have now, surrounded those places by barbed wires. A mine had been planted to safeguard a telephone tower but one of our officers was caught in it and lost one of his legs. We have been more cautious about it after that." The mine planted by the army to protect its camp is said to have been managed after the camp shifts from that place.
According to that officer, the Royal Nepalese Army doesn't use the mine. But it does detonate the wire connected explosive through the Command Ware Guided principle should it feel threatened. This is exploded by placing on or under the ground as per the convenience. According to him this is not mine but simply explosive weapon because it explodes only when the button is pressed and doesn't explode itself. The army uses Command Ware Guided Devices in all places. Any explosive, like bomb, grenade, could be exploded through this principle. He says that the army has the stock of some of the mines brought for training, under its command.
According to the newsletter of International Campaign to Ban landmines, around ten thousand landmines have been planted in fifty army posts in Nepal. Some years ago the then spokesperson of the army, Deepak Gurung , mentioned that anti personnel mines and anti vehicle mines had been the protective measures of the camps. The army plants the explosives in barracks, important government offices, places it lodges in while out on search operations, telecommunications tower, etc. The army too has the possession of Claymor which can totally destroy the human body and MN-14 blast mine that will totally damage the part that comes in contact with the explosive. But the army claims not to have used these kinds of mines.
For the protection of the barracks, the army plants the landmines around military area. The army also plants the mines in the routes most commonly used by the Maoists at night and removes them in the day time. But the news of the Maoists falling into such traps hasn't come out yet. On the other hand, due to lack of enough precautions, army men have died in the course of planting these mines. It's latest example has been Mohan Basnet of Lamjung Vir Pustun barrack. He has lost the part of the leg below his knee in the first week of April when the mine planted at the barrack exploded. For the human targeted mines, 13 hundred grams of explosives is enough and the more the amount of explosives the more powerful it is. Generally when pressurized by objects that weigh more than nine kg those explosives explode.
Explosions don't have eyes and they don't distinguish between the one's own side and the other. Why should then they be used?
Mine means a type of bomb that is hidden under the ground or in the sea and that explodes when some body /something touches it.
Landmine is a type of self-contained explosive device which is placed on to or in to the ground exploding when trigged by vehicle or person. The name originates from the pratice of shaping, where tunnels were dug under opposite forces or fortifications and filled with explosive. Landmines generally refer to devices specially manufactured for purpose, as disting vished from improvised explosive devices.
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) is a formal name for explosive devices as often used in unconventional warfare by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces in a theater of operations. An IED's is a device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. It may incorporate military stores, but is normally devised from nonmilitary components. An IED's typically consists of an explosive charge, possibly a booster charge, a detonator and a mechanism either mechanical or electronic, known as the initiation system. IED's are extremely diverse in design, and may contain any type of firing device or initiator, plus various commercial, military, or contrived chemical or explosive fillers. Highly sophisticated IED's have been constructed from arming devices scavenged from conventional munitions and easily purchased electronic components, as well as consumer devices such as mobile phones, timer, call bell etc. The degree of sophistication depends on the ingenuity of the designer and the tools and materials available. They are are 'home-made' devices to harm or kill. Since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the press has often referred to these devices as roadside bombs.
Formally the campaign against the landmine started in October, 1992. Seven human rights organizations comprising Handicap International, Human Right Watch, Media International, Mines Advisory Groups, Physicians for Human Right and Vietnam Veterans of America foundation joined hands to campaign for the ban of the landmines. After that in October itself, International Campaign to Ban Landmines was formed. On 3 December, an international conference was held in the capital of Canada that sanctioned the international treaty to ban the landmine. It has imposed restriction on import and export, use and storage of landmines which is known as Mine Ban Treaty or Ottawa Treaty. Nepal has not signed this treaty but has cast its vote in the general convention of the UN in supporting the prohibition of the landmines. The Maoists and the state have neither made the commitment of using the landmines nor have they opposed the Ottawa Treaty. They have been quietly moving ahead from their own places.
Shree bhakta Khanal is an investigative journalist. One of Nepal's best journalists, Khanal personally visit the rural and war affected ares to collect the news. General people have highly acknowleaged his works regarding internal security, human interest and the Maoists 'Peoples war'. He'd even organized a photo exhibition regarding the Maoists war called 'No peace Here' in March 2004 in Kathmandu. He has training of telivision documentary from 'Danish school of journalism' in 2005. He can be reached at : livingrocknepal@hotmail.com
Having finished his schooling from Budhanilkantha High school, Suresh Lohani Presently is a Teacher by occupation. He's had his higher education in English literatwce from Nainital India. He's even the founder Member of Dhapasi school which is a private one. Besides being teacher at few education institutes of kathmandu 'A Level'. Equally interested in social service, he's the founder member of an NGO, " Helpful Friend" which is specially opened for Landmine victims and physically disables of Nepal. He is an active member of it. He can be reached at : sureshlohani@hotmail.com
This booklet is published by This booklet is published by 'Helpful Friend' an organization, working against Landmines and Physical Disability. Executive Body of the organization.
Yadu Lamichhane
Advisor
Bal Kumar Aryal
President
Muna Sharma
Vive President
Suresh Lohani
Secretary
Shree Bhakta Khanal
Treasurer
Ambika Amgain
Member
Nawa Raj Dhakal
Member
Dinesh LohaniMember
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
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