CANADA NEPAL SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE

1. CANADA NEPAL SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE

2. Nepal is a land locked country situated between India and China in central south Asia. It is full of natural beauty and diversity .

3. NEPAL is the home of • 27 ½ million people (July 2005 est.) • 61 indigenous ethnic groups and 61 cultures • 93 different spoken dialects • Mount Everest –the world’s tallest mountain

4. Poverty of Nepal • Nepal is second poorest country in the world. • More than 60% people below poverty line but government data shows only 40%.

5. .The girl is Musar - an "untouchable" caste that are bonded laborers. Her family works in a higher caste family's fields for each day's food.

6. WAR has made Nepal even POORER • 83% people depend on agriculture for their living. • Agriculture is directly affected by war. • War caused many people of productive age to leave the country to find work. • Government data reports that daily 1000 Nepalese leave to work in Malaysia ,Quatar ,Saudi Arabia. • Tourism has declined due to the war and many famous hotels are closed. • Many industries are closed due to military action. • Per capita income $170/year (Government data) but real situation is worse than this .

7. Labour Intensive Agriculture

8. CONFLICT effects EDUCATION • Literacy rate 26%,(Male 38%,female 13%) • Due to conflict between Maoists & government Many schools are closed. Many Teachers killed by both sides. • Maoists abduct and train school children to join their guerrilla force .Children who try to escape are killed.

9. Recent cases of land mine bombing at the examination center

10. Political situation of Nepal • Limited democracy started in 1990. • 1996 Conflict between the government and a communist party called Maoist because of corruption and lack of social change. • 1996-2000 government kills people who criticize them. • 2001 1st June Royal massacre. • Official government story published in National and International newspapers not believed by many Nepalese. • New King declares state of emergency for 10 months.

11. Constitution and Law • Democratic Constitution created 1990. • King’s power above the constitution. • King personally controls the army not the parliament. • King dismissed parliament in Feb. 2005. • Government now is appointed by the King.

12. Abducted Teenage Maoist Soldiers

13. USA War on Terror • After Sept. 11th New king declares Maoist political party as Terrorists. • New king gets $42 million worth of weapons, training for troops and helicopters from the USA. • Violence increased. • Unlawful killing, disappearances, rapes, helicopter bombings, torturing, curfews, general strikes. • People have no civil rights. • News media controlled by King and journalists jailed.

14. 3 WEEKS AGO • Journalist arrested by army and jailed. • Killing and arrest of journalist began in 2001. • Human rights violations reported by Amnesty International.

15. Human Rights of Nepal • Violation of human rights by government and Maoist reported by Louise Arbour to the UN. • Rate of disappearance in Nepal is highest in the world according to Amnesty International. • Army bombs civilian areas from air with no warning. • Maoists take over homes, schools, and public spaces to run their programs. • Used of landmines becomes common in Nepal.

16. Bombing on Maoist program by Army helicopter

17. One month ago, villagers hide from bombing. Killings not reported.

18. Common scene of dead bodies of Maoist and Protesters

19. Present Pro-democracy protest • National protest in all cities & villages starting April 6th • Thousands of people arrested, tortured and killed by Army and police. • Arrested protesters kept in overcrowded,dirty jails without food ,water or washrooms. • More than 100 people in jails have started hunger strike. Reported by the Women’s Foundation Nepal.

20. Marches in all 4 corners of Nepal • Demonstrations in Western Nepal • Photo: Bed Prakash Timilsina

21. Professionals join protest marches Teachers participate in a pro-democracy rally in IlamPhoto: Benup Raj Bhattarai

22. Health Workers March in streets • Health workers march in a pro-democracy candle light rally.Photo: Pradip Moyangbo 

23. Day 11 pro-democracy protest • Thousands march in Southern NepalPhoto: Binod Tripathi

24. Human Rights activist and lawyers

25. Kathmandu: Unarmed protesters face army and police

26. Day 6 pro-democracy protest • Police brutality in Kathmandu

27. Women Protest Peacefully Banepa

28. Day 11 Pro-democracy protest • Police open fire at unarmed protesters in Kathmandu injuring at least sixPhoto: Bikash Karki

29. Day 6 Police brutality

30. Shot in the back while fleeing from Police brutality

31. Police brutality and arrests.

32. Police beating pro-democracy Protesters. Kathmandu

33. Hospitals over-crowded with injured protesters. Poor people cannot afford cost of medical treatment and antibiotics.

34. In Nepal you must pay the hospital directly to get treatment. Many people cannot afford the treatment they need.

35. Renu and Devendra from the Women’s Foundation travel with health team to provide emergency treatment in hospitals, and jails.

36. Please donate. • Renu of the Women’s Foundation in Nepal, is visiting hospitals and jails to pay for needed medical treatment for victims of violence. • Women’s Foundation is working with the Red Cross and other Humanitarian Organizations.

37. CHILD HAVEN International has an orphanage in Nepal for 13 years. • Child Haven will give Canadian and US tax receipts • Child Haven sends money to the Women’s Foundation of Nepal • www.childhaven.ca

38. Women’s Foundation Nepal founded by Renu Sharma, Tara Upreti, Kamala Upreti in 1990 • involved in documenting Human Rights violations with Amnesty International • operate a shelter for women & child victims of violence. • www.womenfoundation.org