PROCLAMATION
TO THE NATION
FROM:
HIS MAJESTY KING GYANENDRA BIR BIKRAM SHAH DEV
(February
1, 2005)
(unofficial
translation)
Beloved
Countrymen,
1. The Kingdom of Nepal was built on the foundations of the unification process initiated by King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great. It is well known that to reign in accordance with the people's aspirations, our forefathers initiated revolutionary measures of historic importance, ensuring a bright future of the nation and her people. History is witness to the fact that both the Nepalese people and the King have, in unison, played decisive roles in each and every period of the Kingdom's process of unification, democratisation and modernisation.
2. Today, we
have once again reached a juncture where, in keeping with popular aspirations, a
historic decision must be taken to defend multiparty democracy by restoring
peace for the nation and people. Even when bloodshed, violence and devastation
has pushed the country on the brink of destruction, those engaged in politics in
the name of the country and people continue to shut their eyes to their welfare.
Tussle for power, abuse of authority on gaining power and unhealthy competition
in fulfilling personal and communal interests at the expense of the nation and
citizenry contributed to the further deterioration in the situation. There were
attempts to flout the universally accepted rule of law in the name of politics.
Our desire to ensure social, political and economic justice for our beloved
people through the meaningful exercise of multiparty democracy could not be
materialised. There was a steady rise in crimes against the nation and people,
including destruction of development infrastructures constructed for the
people's benefit. Whereas all democratic forces should have adopted an unified
approach against terrorism, leaders instead continued their tussle for power,
encouraging simple political workers to vandalise public utilities in the name
of politics. Faced with this steadily declining situation, it is now time to
bring to an end the ongoing acts of terrorist violence and pledge, in earnest,
to fulfill the people's aspirations with the restoration of peace and security
in the country. Beloved countrymen,
3. Democracy
and progress always complement each other. But, Nepal's bitter experiences over
the past few years tend to show that democracy and progress contradict one
another. Multiparty democracy was discredited by focusing solely on power
politics. Parliament witnessed many aberrations in the name of retaining and
ousting governments. Not a single House of Representatives was allowed to
complete its tenure. Continuous confusion and disorder resulted in the
obstruction of the democratic process. While the people's aspirations continued
to be shattered and their trust trampled on, they became increasingly
disenchanted with democracy itself. After being incapable of holding elections,
there were conspiracies to form undemocratic governments, which would be
responsible to no one. There was also a written consensus amongst all political
parties on vacuuming the people's representatives out but they could not see eye
to eye when it came to working together in filling this void. The participation
and concurrence of political parties in making way for a form of governance,
which negated popular representation, was against the people's wishes and norms
and spirit of multiparty democracy. So, we appealed to all those who have faith
in democracy with the intention of activating, at the earliest, the system of
popular representation. We also met a number of times with members of the
general public, senior citizens, representatives of the civil society and
leaders of political parties in our effort to gauze the popular mandate and try
to convince them of the country's requirements and people's aspirations. We
reminded them that the only wish of the Nepalese people and friends of Nepal was
to bring to an end the ongoing violence and destructive activities and return
peace and tranquility to the country without any further delay. In order to
conduct the general elections in an environment of peace and security,
opportunities were given to leaders of various political parties to constitute
the Council of Ministers, with executive power. But the situation did not
improve. National politics was plagued by not uniting in running the government
but opposing it on being ousted from it. No serious efforts were made to
attenuate the real threat posed against democracy by terrorism in the form of a
single-party autocracy. The habit of passing carefree remarks on matters of
national security continued. Political parties were unable to display
responsible behavior in augmenting the patriotic fervour of our dutiful security
personnel, who are active round the clock in ensuring security of the nation and
people. Multiparty democrats could not sincerely unite, with national interest
as the focal point, to forever end the cycle of devastation being lashed out
against the nation and people. Likewise, political parties also could not
identify national priorities in keeping with the people's aspirations.
4.
Throughout history, the Nepalese people never had to bear the burden of such
terrorism, agony and exploitation. No democracy has ever had to go through such
a dismal situation, where the innocent are punished by criminals, people whose
property is seized and innocent children, women and the elderly who are
mercilessly killed by criminals cannot receive any kind of protection from those
who govern in their name and parties who claim to represent the people do not
act in their defence. The nefarious designs of an individual or group, negating
the wishes of the Nepalese people as well as the national interest and acting
through sponsored mobs, cannot form our national agenda. Conscientiousness
towards our responsibility to the future of the country and people has nudged us
many a time. Circumstances have reached such a critical stage that it has now
become imperative for us to take a decision in the greater interest of the
nation and people in accordance with their aspirations.
Beloved
Countrymen,
5. Nepal's
independence, national unity and sovereignty are best safeguarded by the
intimate relationship between the King and people. An Institution of Monarchy
ever devoted to the country and people and a people with an innate love for
their land is the glorious history of the Kingdom of Nepal, its present and also
its future. In keeping with this glorious tradition, popular will as always
remained the guiding light for Nepal's Monarchy. We are committed to social
justice; totalitarianism and authoritarianism are entirely inconsistent with the
Monarchial traditions of the Shah Dynasty. We are convinced of the fact that the
Nepalese people have deep faith in and are firmly committed to Constitutional
Monarchy and multiparty democracy. We believe that centralisation of authority
is against democratic norms. We feel that a meaningful exercise in democracy can
take place only when elected representatives at all levels are given their share
in the governance of the country in accordance with the principles of separation
of powers. It is our desire that, while no Nepalese should experience pain or
suffering, every citizen should have unfettered access to social, economic and
political justice. We strongly believe that the people should always feel that
their wishes are being fully honoured and their interests completely protected
in the governance of the country. It is our desire to ensure that the Kingdom of
Nepal forges ahead towards the creation of a mature democracy and welfare
society with the collective judgment, understanding and farsightedness of all
patriotic democrats. We are confident that there can never be any differences
among democrats on achieving the fundamental objectives of national welfare.
6. We have
no interest other than the restoration of sustainable peace and exercise in
meaningful democracy for the welfare of Nepal and Nepalese people. Monarchy is
guided not by a cheap popularity but by the overall welfare and continued
progress of Nepal and her people. Everyone should respect the people's desire
for effective reforms. Let no Nepalese feel compelled to take up arms as a means
of expressing frustration or disenchantment. At the same time, it must be
ensured that every citizen has the opportunity to express discontent effectively
without jeopardizing social harmony. It is clear that what the people want are a
meaningful exercise in democracy, an effective market economy, good governance,
transparency and a corruption-free rule of law. Our only wish is to guarantee
our people's happiness through democracy, instill hope among the youth for a
brighter future and to ensure dignity for Nepal amongst the comity of nations.
Equal opportunities for the development of all our languages, peoples and their
cultures alone can preserve and consolidate the Kingdom's distinct
characteristics.
7. Contrary
to the wishes of the Nepalese people, on whom sovereignty is vested, no serious
efforts were made towards initiating elections to the House of Representatives
within the year 2061 B.S. by maintaining, to the extent possible, peace and
security. Instead of preparing the electorate and political parties for the
elections and laying the necessary legal, managerial and technical groundwork,
time was wasted on paying only lip service on the urgency of holding elections.
As it is our responsibility to preserve our nationalism, national unity and
sovereignty, as well as to maintain peace and security in the country and ensure
that the state of the nation does not deteriorate any further, we have, by
virtue of the State Authority as exercised by us and in keeping with the spirit
of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal ? 1990, taking into consideration
Article 27 (3) of the Constitution, dissolved, effective from today, the current
Council of Ministers to fulfill the people's desire for the restoration of peace
and security and to activate soon the democratic dispensation. The Council of
Ministers to be constituted will be under our Chairmanship. This Council of
Ministers will give utmost priority to reactivating multiparty democracy in the
country within three years with the implementation of effective reforms by
restoring peace and security.
Beloved
countrymen,
8. Only a
meaningful multiparty democracy can be an effective means of governance by the
people. A successful multiparty democracy alone is synonymous with people's
democracy. Such a system, which is people-oriented, mature, cultured and
refined, has been disrupted. Terrorising the innocent population, extorting
money through intimidation, brutally murdering those who dissent, kidnapping
students and perpetrating atrocities against teachers, making false promises to
simple people and destroying development projects aimed at the people's welfare
are crimes against the nation and people, which have to be brought to an
immediate end. From now on, such crimes will be dealt with firmly in accordance
with the law. Our security forces have been mobilised to carry out their
responsibilities more effectively to end terrorism and restore peace and
security in the interest of the nation and people. All the organs of the state
must remain alert in honouring and upholding human rights. However, it will be
unfair to put the state and terrorists on equal footing. We are confident that
all peace-loving Nepalese who have faith in democracy will, as always, continue
to cooperate with the security forces in maintaining peace and tranquility.
9. We call
upon all those who have gone astray, taking up arms against the nation and
people, and those who are engaged in criminal activities against peace and
democracy to return to the mainstream of national politics peacefully. Ensuring
opportunities to freely express one's views with patriotism as the focal point,
fulfilling one's aspirations and contributing to the welfare of the nation and
people are the inherent features of multiparty democracy. We assure all those
who avail of this opportunity to join the national mainstream that the state
will give them opportunities and rights equal to those enjoyed by all our
citizens, without any discrimination whatsoever; neither the people nor the law
will tolerate any terrorist activities against the state or its citizens.
Beloved
countrymen,
10. We would
like to thank all the friendly nations who have generously supported us,
appreciating our commitment to fight terrorism, as well as donors and
international financial institutions that have rendered invaluable assistance in
our development endeavours. Even the world's democracies are presently faced
with the threat of terrorism, which cannot be confined within geographical
boundaries. The world community has in fact realised that the more secure,
stable and prosperous the smaller nations become, the more secure, stable and
prosperous will the region and the world as a whole be. Nepal is, therefore,
committed to eliminating terrorism in her own interest as well as in the
interest of democracies around the world. Nepal aspires for peace - for herself,
her neighbors and South Asia - and to rid the world of the threat to peace.
11. While
expressing our unflinching faith in multiparty democracy, we would like to
mention that economic and institutional reforms will continue. Efforts at
reforms in the utilization of public expenditure and public service delivery
will be made more effective. Banking discipline will be restored. Measures will
be adopted towards the effective implementation of the poverty reduction
strategy and the anti-corruption drive. Sustainable development is now our
national agenda. No one will be allowed to jeopardize the people's security and
the future of democracy. Nepal will not allow terrorists to use her territory
against herself or against any other friendly nation. In our ties with other
countries, emphasis will be laid on fostering constructive relations based on
mutual benefit and pragmatism.
12.
Corruption, which has been continuously spreading its tentacles, has not only
cast a shadow over politics and administration, but has also obstructed the
nation's march towards progress. Corruption has struck at the very core of our
society, the result of which the common man's confidence in the laws of the land
has been shaken. Therefore, in keeping with the popular will and to fulfill the
main criterion of good governance, effective measures will be adopted to curb
corruption, while ensuring that the principles of justice are not infringed
upon.
13. It is
our desire that democracy be a way of life, politics be conducted in keeping
with democratic norms and values, people from all strata of society honestly
adhere to democratic ideals and everyone be guided by the interest of the
country and people. All Nepalese wish to see our country as a progressive
nation, occupying a pride of place in the international community, where
democratic ideals thrive in a peaceful environment. It is our belief that
upholding human rights not only preserves and promotes democratic values but
also enhances a way of life and civilisational values commensurate with the 21st
century.
Beloved
countrymen,
14. Our
decision should leave no room for confusion amongst the security personnel and
civil servants in discharge of their duties and responsibilities. Today, it is
we Nepalese who must take an initiative to ensure a bright future for Nepal and
the Nepalese. An independent press serves as the medium for raising the level of
democratic consciousness. It plays a crucial role in the promotion of national
interests. We believe that the press will make effective contributions in
ensuring that democratic norms and values inspire our way of life as well as
governance. We are confident that, with this in mind, all those who have faith
in multiparty democracy will discharge their duties from their respective places
and the people's aspirations along with the country's requirements will be
realised through the shared efforts of all the countrymen.
15. Today,
the nation has made a firm commitment and a decision has also been taken
accordingly. The nation has taken a step forward towards democracy and progress,
leaving behind violence, insecurity and conflict. At a time when the country is
in the grip of terrorism, all those who believe in democracy and peace must
unite. Let us, therefore, be inspired by our collective wisdom and guided by our
national perspective. Any nefarious attempts at disturbing peace and security
and hindering efforts at making democracy meaningful will not be tolerated
either by the nation or people. Yet, in pursuit of liberalism, we should never
overlook an important aspect of our conduct, namely discipline. This is also the
thinking of the 21st century. We wish to repeat once again that those who cannot
do justice to Nepal, those who cannot believe in the sound judgment of the
people and those who cannot stand in favour of peace will stand condemned by the
motherland.
May Lord
Pashupatinath bless us all!
Jaya Nepal!