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Nepal
Research : Website on
Nepal and Himalayan Studies
(see introductory
statement on this web site)
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Statement on
the political outlook of this web site
Occasional e-mails
have made me aware that some
fundamental statements should be placed on top of this site to avoid
misunderstandings:
Originally, this web site has been
my private archive to refind information that I need for my research work.
Later, I have placed it in the internet to make these collections accessible to
all interested persons worldwide. This web site,
nevertheless, remains a one-man job with primarily personal interests. So, I
cannot and will not answer every mail or comment that is sent. Others may use
this web site if they like or they may leave it; it's everybody's own decision.
My special interests concern the
politics and society of Nepal. This is reflected by the wealth of information on
these topics. Other special areas of interest are human rights, constitutional
law, history and development as far as they have to do with my main interests.
I am fully aware that this web site
may have influence on the shaping of public opinion. In this sense, I use it to
provide information on the background of a number of problems which prevent the
inclusion of greater sections of society that so far have been excluded or
disadvantaged politically, economically and socially.
It is
unavoidable that information
on the Maoist insurgency, the royal putsch and the current efforts of
crisis solution play a major role on this web site. The following
statements are necessary to prevent wrong impressions:
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I understand the Maoist
insurgency as an expression of dissatisfaction of greater sections of
society with the situation and developments in Nepal but I don't support
their violent approach.
-
In the same way, I do not
support the violent response of the state against this insurgency. The
conflict in Nepal has nothing to do with international terrorism, as
countries like the USA try to make believe, but it is a homemade problem
that can only be understood against the background of the historical,
political, legal, economic and social situation and developments in Nepal.
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Both, the Maoists as well as the
state forces, have violated the fundamental rights of the Nepali people. A
forceful solution of this conflict is not possible for either side.
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I further understand the
institution of monarchy as the root cause for most of Nepal's problems. This
is proved by historical and political facts.
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A swift solution of the conflict
and a return to the process of democratization are necessary and they must
go hand in hand. This is only possible if both sides are willing to
unconditional talks as well as to fundamental changes in their conceptions
of state and society. The disadvantaged masses must fight for their rights,
not forcefully as the Maoists but peacefully and nevertheless decisively. The media and civil society,
that have been attacked by the Maoists as well as by the king and his henchmen, will have
to play an important role in this process.
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A special responsibility for Nepal's crisis goes to
the institution of monarchy. History proves that it is responsible for the
current state of inequality and exclusion, and it has further contributed to
the escalation of the conflict by usurping power and destroying the
fundamentals of the constitution in October 2002 and even more on February
1, 2005. Monarchy should not have a place in the future political system if the latter shall be a durable one.
Karl-Heinz Krämer, affiliated to
Department of Political Science
South Asia Institute
University of Heidelberg, Germany
