Issues and Violations
Nepal's Civil War: A Timeline
February 1st, 2005
After previous prime ministers failed to hold elections and arrange negotiations with the Maoist rebels— who had been fighting since 1996 to establish a single-party communist republic in Nepal— King Gyanendra takes absolute power, seizing all power in the government in an attempt to end the insurgency.
September 2005
Maoist rebels announce a unilateral ceasefire, but the royalist government does not accept it, for the most part ignoring it.
January 2006
After several extensions of what was originally meant to be a three-month ceasefire, the rebels finally put an end to it and resume fighting the war.
February 2006
King Gyanendra calls for municipal elections and a return to democracy, deepening the political dissatisfaction within the country as people conclude that the elected leaders would be completely controlled under the king’s absolute authority. Protests rule the streets, and despite the efforts of the government, the elections are more or less a failure.
April 2006
After chaos in Kathmandu and widespread protests, King Gyanendra gives up absolute power and announces the reinstatement of the democratically elected parliament. Veteran politician Girija Prasad Koirala is sworn in as prime minister and calls for negotiations with the rebels.
June 2006
After chaos in Kathmandu and widespread protests, King Gyanendra gives up absolute power and announces the reinstatement of the democratically elected parliament. Veteran politician Girija Prasad Koirala is sworn in as prime minister and calls for negotiations with the rebels.
November 21, 2006
Prime Minister Koirala and rebel chief Prachandra sign a peace deal, ending the Nepalese civil war.
Nepalese police officers attempting to control crowds of protesters
In Little Princes, on many occasions the Maoist rebels instigated strikes called bandhas that forced the entire country of Nepal to a standstill. Vehicles weren't allowed on the street, and everything was forced to close, including the schools. Since bandhas could last days, and could turn violent if they weren't respected, the children of Little Princes couldn't go to school. Conor Grennan and the other volunteers had to hold temporary classes to teach the children (pg 32). During bandhas, there were also conflicts with food shortages which created difficulties for those at Little Princes.
Ways The Nepalese Civil War Affected/Caused Things in Little Princes
In Little Princes, many characters were affected by child trafficking in Nepal, none more so than the children of Little Princes. Child trafficking increased greatly because of the Nepalese civil war. Many villagers of remote villages such as those in the Humla region were tricked into giving their children to child traffickers when the child traffickers promised to give the children food, an education, and most importantly, a safe place away from the Maoist armies, who had no qualms about recruiting children. All the children of Little Princes had been trafficked and had been through some very tough experiences. The children of Little Princes, their families, and the members of Next Generation Nepal and the staff of Little Princes all experienced difficulties because of child trafficking, and because of efforts to reunite the children with their families.
During the Nepalese civil war, transportation and movement were often hindered and sometimes very limited. There were frequent checkpoints travelers had to pass through, and a curfew was often in place, not to mention the frequent bandhas. In April of 2006, protests and conflicts were so bad in Kathmandu that Conor Grennan experienced difficulties even getting a flight back to the United States, as did Grennan's friend and fellow Little Princes volunteer Farid Ait-Mansour when attempting to go back to France.
Bandhas
Child Trafficking
Transportation
The Association Registration Act (1977)- To function legally, an organization must register under the Association Registration Act. All associations, friendship associations, institutions, clubs, circles, councils, or study centers created with the goal of developing and extending social, religious, literary, cultural, scientific, educational, intellectual, philosophical, physical, economical, vocational, and philanthropic activities must abide by this.
The Social Welfare Act (1992)- Created to govern the provision of “social welfare” activity and “social service” activity. To receive foreign funding and implement programs with foreign support, local civil society organizations must receive advance approval from the Social Welfare Council.
The Company Act (2006)- Provides the legal basis to register non-profit business organizations and consultancy companies. Registration requires at least five citizens coming together to promote any profession, business, intellectual, educational, social, charity, or welfare activities with a non-profit intent.
A brief list of Nepalese legislation that governed the creation of Next Generation Nepal, the organization that helped the Little Princes and the seven children!
Works Cited
www.icnl.org/research/monitor/nepal.html.
“Nepalese Civil War.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War.
“Ten Year Timeline.” Nepali Times, nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=10616#.Wpd5fYPwa00.
Sunil, W.A., and Deepal Jayasekera. “World Socialist Web Site.” Farcical Municipal Elections Intensify Political Instability in Nepal, World Socialist Web Site Wsws.org Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), 16 Feb. 2006, www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/02/nepa-f16.html.
Jazeera, Al. “Timeline of Nepal's Civil War.” News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 8 Apr. 2008, www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2008/04/2008615165932572216.html.