After more than 10 years of fighting and 13,000 deaths, Maoist rebels and government forces in Nepal have signed a peace agreement, with the rebels surrendering their weapons in exchange for participation in parliament.
The accord, signed November 21, would give the Maoists 73 seats, only two fewer than the main existing party. And once a constituent government is elected next year, they will have the opportunity to vote on whether to continue the monarchy, a key concern of the rebels.
Although the peace agreement can only be seen as good news for Nepal as a whole, it is not yet clear what it will mean for indigenous people. Section 3.5 of the accord does commit "To address the problems related to women, Dalit, indigenous people, Janajatis, Madheshi, oppressed, neglected, minorities, and the backward by ending discrimination based on class, caste, language, sex, culture, religion, and region . . ."
But, says Stella Tamang, co-chair of Cultural Survival’s Program Council and chair of the South Asia Indigenous Women Forum, the accord does not make a specific provision for including indigenous peoples in the government. "This peace accord is silent about indigenous peoples, Madhesi, Dalit, and women," says Tamang. "The interim parliament will have 330 seats, out of which only 12 are women. As indigneous peoples, Madheshi, Dalit, and women, we are seriously concerned about representation. Though the peace accord has been signed, we are coming up with a Caution Rally and a series of demonstrations."
Tamang, who was involved in the protests against the monarchy over the summer, trying to foster peace between rebel and government forces, says that three commissions are going to be created: a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a Peace and Rehabilitation Commission, and a Restructuring of the State Advisory Committee. "The whole process very controlled and closed," she says, "and getting minorities into the process has been one of the biggest challenges. Two days ago, we had an Interaction Program with Prachanda, the Maoist leader. This was his first interaction with the minorities, and it was good. He was clear and has promised to stay true to their words and promises."
