| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 03-Apr-02 09:55 PM
Dear all,
What follows is from Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, president of Nepal's largest (in terms of membership) NGO. You may know that Dilli is also a Reebok Human Rights Award winner in 1994.
Dilli and BASE, together with other NGOs and activists in Far Western Nepal, had been very active, leading the movement to put an end kamaiya-slavery in Nepal in July 2000.
Please read this letter, and see what you -- as a concerned citizen/well-wisher
of Nepal can do.
oohi
ashu
haal: Dhaka, Bangladesh
******************************
Dear Friends,
We are writing to inform you of the increasingly difficult situation
in which Backward Society Education (BASE) is finding itself, caught
between the maoist rebels and the government imposed state of
emergency.
As you may have heard, last week maoist rebels attacked three of the
organization's offices in Kailali District. Motorcycles, office
furniture, files, and -- in one case an entire Area Office -- were
torched.
The apparent reason for the attacks was that BASE ran a
rural saving and loan program in cooperation with the local
government. The rebels are against this kind of government program.
However, the rebels have since then also targeted BASE's child
programs.
There are indications that beneath the allegation the real
reason may be that the maoists are displeased that BASE has advocated
peaceful social change successfully over the past years. Many of the
poor rural workers who might otherwise have joined the maoist
movement, have stayed with BASE instead. This one could say has been
an achievement for peace in a otherwise rapidly detoriorating
situation.
It therefore comes as a complete surprise to read the Home Minister's
comments in today's Kathmandu Post (Wednesday April 3rd) that the
government is considering taking away BASE's registration, in effect
closing the organization. The government is accusing the
organization of supporting the maoists.
It is alarming that the government should consider using the powers of the state of emergency to shut down one of the largest civil society organizations in Nepal.
BASE has over 30,000 members and support from many more men and women
from marginalised communities, such as the freed bonded laboerers
whom it helped liberate. Under the current political situation,
these people have no legal way of assembling or protesting the
government's action, should it decide to take any.
The organization's identity as one of the oldest and most established
NGOs in Nepal working for human rights and non-formal education make
the accusations of support for the maoists unbelievable at best.
Given that the maoists attacked the organization offices last week
only, the government accusations seem patently ludicruos. It seems
clear that the government is acting with other motives. It is a
very disturbing development for the country as a whole, if the
government begins to abuse the extraordinary powers granted under the
state of emergency to settle old scores and eliminate the free debate
in civil society.
We call on you to write open letters to Home Minister Khum Bahadur
Khadka and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba asking them:
a) to protect civil society organizations in the state of emergency
b) to retract its threat of de-registering BASE, and
c) furthermore to support BASE's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the
freed bonded laborers and other marginalised people as the best road
to peace.
Sincerely,
Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, BASE President
|
| hmmm.... |
Posted
on 03-Apr-02 11:17 PM
Is it possilbe for an e-petition from Sajha.com???
Could SAN set this up?? Just curious.
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 05-Apr-02 07:07 PM
Dear all,
Those of you who are thinking of helping BASE, please see the sample letter (below) with appropriate addresses.
Many of you talk about helping Nepal, and that's really great.
Now, here is one instance where your involvement (through the simple act
of sending off a petition letter) can make a big difference.
So, yes, give a damn.
Get involved.
And help keep the spirit if civil bodies alive and well in Nepal.
Thank you.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
********************
On behalf of the human rights defenders in the Forefront network, we ask you to take a few minutes from your day to print, sign and fax a letter in response to the following Urgent Action.
Forefront Urgent Action
Date: April 5, 2002
Partner: Backward Society Education (BASE)
Country: Nepal
Incident: Attacks on BASE offices in Kailali District by Maoist rebels, and threat by the government to remove their legal status
Action: Letters to Prime Minister and Home Ministers of Nepal, and Ambassador to the United States
Forefront has learned of the immediate threat facing our partner group, BASE, in Nepal. BASE wrote to inform us of the increasingly difficult situation it finds itself, caught between the Maoist rebels and the government imposed State of Emergency.
Last week Maoist rebels attacked three of the organization's offices in Kailali District in western Nepal, where it provides former bonded laborers with education, health and housing programs. Motorcycles, office furniture, files and one entire office were burned.
The reported reason for the attacks was that BASE was operating a rural savings and loan program in cooperation with the local government, and the rebels opposed any kind of government program or collaboration.
There are indications that beneath the allegation the real reason may be that the Maoists are displeased that BASE has advocated peaceful social change successfully over the past years. Many of the poor rural workers who might otherwise have joined the Maoist movement have stayed with BASE instead, promoting peace in a rapidly deteriorating situation.
BASE President Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary writes that "it therefore comes as a complete surprise to read the Home Minister's comments in today's Kathmandu Post (Wednesday April 3rd) that the government is considering taking away BASE's registration, in effect closing the organization.
The government is accusing the organization of supporting the Maoists. It is alarming that the government should consider using the powers of the State of Emergency to shut down one of the largest civil society organizations in Nepal. BASE has over 30,000 members and support from many more men and women from marginalized communities, such as the freed bonded laborers whom it helped liberate.
Under the current political situation, these people have no legal way of assembling or protesting the government's action, should it decide to take any. The organization's identity as one of the oldest and most established NGOs in Nepal working for human rights and non-formal education make the accusations of support for the Maoists unbelievable at best".
We call on you to write open letters requesting protection for BASE and condemning these attacks to Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba by asking them to:
Protect civil society organizations in the State of Emergency;
Retract its threat of de-registering BASE; and
Support BASE's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the freed bonded laborers and other marginalized people as the best road to peace.
Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba
Fax: 011.977. 416 016 OR
c/o Ambassador Jai Pratap Rana
Royal Nepalese Embassy
2131 Leroy Place, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Fax: 202-667-5534
Email: nepali@erols.com
Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu, NEPAL
Fax: 977.227.186
Sample Language:
Dear Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba,
I am writing to you to express my deep concern about last week's attacks on three offices of the organization Backward Society Education (BASE) by Maoist rebels in the Kailali district. Reportedly, motorcycles, office furniture, files, and -- in one case an entire area office - were torched. BASE is an internationally respected organization with more than 30,000 members, serving a marginalized community such as the freed bonded laborers. It plays a critical role in providing humanitarian assistance, social services, and education to the former bonded laborers.
It is therefore equally concerning to hear that the government is considering taking away BASE's registration, in effect closing the organization, accusing BASE of supporting the Maoists as reported in the "Kathmandu Post" on April 3. I am disturbed that the attacks against BASE are part of a broader crackdown on civil society organizations in Nepal under the State of Emergency.
It is important that the work of civil society organizations such as BASE can continue and that the government protects civil society organizations in the state of emergency.
I also urge you to retract your government's threat of de-registering BASE, and I ask you to support BASE's ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the freed bonded laborers and other marginalized people as the best road to peace.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Your full name
Address
________________________________________
Forefront: A Global Network of Human Rights Defenders
Forefront is an international network that supports, protects and promotes the work of grassroots human rights defenders. Forefront provides human rights defenders with technical assistance and training, facilitates the exchange of resources and best practices, and ensures that they have the tools they need to be effective.
Join our campaign for imprisoned human rights defender Phuntsog Nyidron: http://www.forefrontleaders.org/freedom/freedom.php
Lesley Carson
333 7th Avenue, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212) 845-5273
Fax: (212) 253-4244
www.forefrontleaders.org
|
| Rajib Sharma |
Posted
on 06-Apr-02 02:05 AM
Well, I have neen in Western Nepal (Dang, Banke, Bardia and Kailali Kanchanpur for many reasons even I was in Chakhura, Dang). Where I had bitter experience of BASE program. BASE has been palying with those (tharu Commuity) are very innocent, simple, cultural and hard workers. BASE took advantege to their simplicity in several folds in the name of their well being. In the name of Ratry Pathasala (Night School) many young tharu girl/women were victimized by sexual abuse in many ways. This is the one solid benefit of BASE program to the tharu community? BASE allocated to some seed money in the name of income generating program. How come those community start pig farm w ith NRS 500.00. This is the way BASE using Tharu community. Does any one have data that how many illegitimate child are in the BASE program area? The tharu community and society is a jewellery of Western Nepal. Now, BASE totally damaged this tharu comminuty. When I was in chakhura, Dang, I had an opportunity to talk with many middle age tharu and women. First they refused to talk with met then I told them I did not work BASE. They explaied how BASE used them and they told me they did know the place or organization where to inform and reprot against BASE and its President Dilli Bhadhar Chaudhari. Manoj Basnet, a guy who is key person of BASE and use to visit Dang in every month for new faces of women.
The Nobel prize winner Mother Terasa that she helped lots of poor people in India but she used to convert them in Christianity her only goal was to take advantage of their poverty and to convert them from Hinduism to Christianity. Look, what kind of Catholic priest does to the young boy. They sexual abused them and spoil their life. We should shut down the such kind of organization to save our culture, society and children. So, guys, go to see the how BASE changed Tharu Community????
Rajiv Sharma
Thailand
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 06-Apr-02 06:42 AM
Dear Rajeev-ji,
As one famous New Yorker magazine cartoon says, "On the Internet, no
one knows you are a dog."
Relax.
That's a joke.
Let's get on to the serious matter.
Look, I was not born yesterday, and I am NOT blindly supporting Dilli and
BASE just like that. I am not someone who is easily impressed with this or
that.
I also know quite well, as I have explained to you before here on this
forum, that Dilli, a charismatic, articulate Tharu leader (age 31) from Dang,
does have many, many, many enemies -- particularly bahun-chhetri-thakuri landlords from those areas whose greatest satsifaction would be to see Dilli and BASE both totally destroyed.
In this context, my selfish motive to support Dilli is this: I am from Kathmandu and hold no land or anything in Far Western Nepal. Dilli and many of his colleagues have been very good friends to me since 1994, and, though I wish Dilli had had better managerial skills, he has, on the whole, done a lot for his Tharu community, especially with his major work on the emancipation of so many bonded laborers from their age-old debts.
Look, you may not like Dilli's work.
That's fine.
You may not even like Dilli personally.
That's fine too.
But you can't deny the importance of his social activism.
And social activism, by definition, earns you more enemies than friends in
Nepal, and that is why many young Nepalis, though they talk about social
change and all that, are reluctant to be activists with fire in the belly.
But, as one of Dilli's good friends whose life has now moved on from kamaiya-related work, I still feel free to disagree with Dilli, and he seems to listen to criticisms, and that's one reason why we are still good friends after so many years. (I first met him at Harvard when he was in Boston to accept Reebok International Human Rights Award).
So, that's my selfish motive to try to help Dilli -- a friend in need.
What's your selfish motive to be against Dilli with all these allegations?
Are you some bitter landlord from the Dang area who is pissed off because you and your family can no longer enjoy Kamaiya labor because of BASE's activism?
If so, there are many, many people like you, and your kind of bitterness is expected. And from people like you, I've heard even worse things about Dilli
and BASE.
But am I going to believe you?
No.
Not at all.
But are you free to post stuff against Dilli?
Yes.
If you really want to be taken seriously, then, first establish your
credentials: Who are you? Where are you from? What's your selfish
motive?
After you do that, then, come up with better ways of presenting your case allowing room for indepedent third-party verification of your allegations.
Just asking people to go visit Chakaura and see for themselves is NOT going
to cut ice here.
I'm sure you are smart enough to realize this.
To be fair to you, let's assume, for the sake of argument, that you are correct
and that Dilli and BASE are indeed khattam.
Even then, tell me, what right does our government have to try to cancel BASE's registration? What right does Khum Bdr. Khadka, for instance, have to try to settle old scores in these times of Emergency? Isn't that an abuse of power?
After all, even khattam NGOs need protection from ARBITRARY and
WHIMSICAL decisions of the government, don't you think?
So, you see, the issue here is much bigger than being either pro- or
anti-BASE.
The Amnesty International, BTW, is already investigating into this matter of BASE's being victimized by both sides -- the Maoists and the government.
Finally, I'll be in Thailand later this April for about a week, and if you send me an email at ashutosh@post.harvard.edu, I would be happy to meet and talk to you
about BASE and Dilli in detail.
Until then, le us keep on supporting BASE and Dilli.
oohi
ashu
ktm, nepal
|
| villageVoice |
Posted
on 06-Apr-02 10:22 AM
I have no knowledge whether BASE, or some members of BASE, is/are in some way associated with the Maoists.
But what I do know for sure is that that Dilli, and more accurately BASE, with its massive grass roots follwing in the region, has been regarded with deep suspicision by both Maoists and mainstream political parties. Add to it, Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka--never terribly fond of civil liberties--comes from the region, and that the region is a Maoist hotbed.
At a time, when the need for social network is at its peak (in order to build safety net against Maoist propoganda and lure), Home Minister's move to de-license one of the country's most active NGO is typical of our governance. Let's hope sanity returns.
|
| Binay |
Posted
on 06-Apr-02 10:33 AM
"Are you some bitter landlord from the Dang area who is pissed off because you and your family can no longer enjoy Kamaiya labor because of BASE's activism?
If so, there are many, many people like you, and your kind of bitterness is expected. And from people like you, I've heard even worse things about Dilli
and BASE. ..."
Right on. This is most likely the case; however, it is also possible that Rajiv might have met one of those ex-Jamindars or their allies who happened to be Tharu--actually there were a number of those particularly in Kailali and Bardia. As any other Jamindars who enjoyed Kamaiya labors, these people too couldnot stand Dilli, BASE or any social activist who came their way.
Well, one may argue that most of the Kamaiyas have become more vulnerable than before, but we should NOT forget that similar arguments were made when the slavery was outlawed in the US. Kamaiya system is a kind of slavery. We should denounce any form of subjugation of people...and denounce any hypocracy that is implicitly directed toward the criticism of social activisms like BASE. There might be some problems, but these cannot and shouldnot undermine the thrust of opposing people's subjugation.
|
| kamaiya |
Posted
on 06-Apr-02 08:22 PM
hi,
We kamaiyas are in lousier situation than before the so called liberation.
We have destroyed the agricultural system of Nepal.
We are hopeful.
We request to support Dilli and his BASE.
|
| Rajib Sharma |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 01:05 AM
Ashu ji,
Thanx for your wonderful jokes which proof you are smart and intelligent, ok. I really enjoyed it. Oh, What a wonderful crack. You don’t need to proof that you read NYT which you might think that it may put you exclusive intellactual group. But believe me, it is always good to be yourself. When I read your threats it really make me laught to see your naivity that it appears you still live in fool's paradise. Because of such selfdeclared intellacual like your group which maks our country such a mess. . That is why we Nepalese are failed to understand basic needs for the development of our country. Oh boy, I dint know that such a social avtivitist living in Nepal but I fail to understand why intectuall people like your group need to cooperate with white people those who come our country with a agendas whose ultimate goal is to defame our system and to exploite our innocent people.
Now it became to clear to me why an honest organization like BASE of Mr Dilli Bdr Chaudhari has been so badly screwed up. It is the so called social activitist gang like yours in association with those foreign agents who desparetely enganged in various nefracious activities which is no less than selling the soul of our society in exchange of few filty bocks.
Have you ever (socail strcucture, cultural and economic ground of that asegment) study the situation of Tharu community of Midwester and Farwestern Districts mainly Dang, Banke, Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur? Do you have any idea that what sort of their capacity have or their potential? I hardly eve doubt that you have any idea that what type of programs modality BASE deliver and what your socail activitist gang directed to the BASE? Does current project of BASE scale the potentiality and prospect of this community? Not at all? BASE and Dilli Bdr Chaudhari were used by slave mentality socail activitiest like your groups? I am not harvard scholor and do not have Harvard domain email. It hardly matters to persons' crediantil whether it from Tribhuwan University Kirtipur or from flushy their ivyleague.
Here is an example of socail activist emerged lately 20th century in Banglore India. Nayayan K. Murthi, CEO/Chairman of Info Sys. How he stated his social reform program and pullout those economically backward community. I would suggest your group to visit Info Sys, then you will learn what social activist does. Once I will have chance and if Martin Chautari will permit me to show some videos of wonderful model example of social activities from Narayan .K .Murthi.
I am not son of Jamindar, neither I go to fancy boarding schools rather, I had earned my educations against many odds like many millions unfortunate of poor nepalese struggle to achieve every day. Luckly I havre earned more than enough education to show up various educational platform. I have also seen Harvard, Stanford, Chicago school and MIT, I hardly met any body who delibertly show their so called trade marks.
I don’t know what you think about my age group but I will assure you I have quite fews year to chath up with that of Mr. Dilli Bdr. Chaudhari.
Wow, staying in Kathmandu, palying with BASE, and keeping nonse stuffs in web site probably you social activists enjoyed BASE resources also. That is not smart idea those who are from Harvard. Do u have data how many thary Children have in college supported by BASE? This is not matter of Night School supportefd by PACT NGO. This sort of education does nt change the society. Have you heard selfsufficieny word?
Why did you not think to enhance their skills to divert intothe practical field? You have probably hear Kibuuz of Isreal? Why did you self declared social activist not think to capatalize their potentiality. Do you know how poortly survived these people now. Do you know how much strength have with economic, social and cultural protection in human life? Probably not? These people fleed in different places for to keep body and soul, do you have data how many people they went India for work. Who brought that situation?
Why you are so called activities do not think for long term strategy for this community. Do you know that how well difined social structure is important and its role for the economic salvation of the society? This community are experts since ages in agricultural cultivation system, crafts, and many other various laborious works . This community needs such a program which would enrich their existing heritage and unipe cultural at the same time help them economically viable.
We must rememner that each country is unique in their own way. So it is not relevant to use any socail or economic model of anyother country's to use and expect successful result. That is why the social scientist should derive a particular model project keeping in mind uniqueness of that particular country or society, instead of aping.
If you have some comments you can send me an email at . Hhere in I am way to Kenya can meet you during Dashai. Tihar at Martin Chautari, Babadmahal.
Rajib Sharma
Thailand
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 02:52 AM
Dear Rajiv-ji,
After reading your diatribe above, what came to my mind was this line from
a Nepali poem : "San.taan Thari Thari ka".
"San.taan Thari Thari ka", indeed!
That said, you are welcome to 'twist and shout' against BASE, Dilli and now
against people like Ashutosh Tiwari.
That's your right to free speech.
Meantime, Dilli, a couple of others, and I (who is not an activist but a long-time friend of BASE) will soon be meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal to raise
these concerns directly.
Thank you for your good wishes.
Please keep them coming.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 06:13 AM
Rajiv Sharma from Thailand wrote:
"I would suggest your group to visit Info Sys, then you will learn what social activist does. Once I will have chance and if Martin Chautari will permit me to show some videos of wonderful model example of social activities from Narayan .K .Murthi."
Dear Rajiv-ji,
Pardon me, but I thought I'd do this this little ad for Martin Chautari.
You are more than welcome to come and show some videos for free at the premises of Martin Chautari when you are in Nepal next. They do have the
A-V equipments.
Please contact Bhaskar Gautam regarding schedules and logistics.
Bhaskar can be reached at: chautari@mos.com.cnp
Martin Chautari, like any other open forum, is what you make of it in
Kathmandu.
Speaking only for myself, and though I cannot, these days, visit MC as frequently as I would like to due to other commitments, I have to say that over the last 22 months, I have learnt a lot there through many free-wheeling discussions and debates, and have met a lot really interesting, inspiring and intellectually challenging Nepalis of diverse backgrounds there -- people I would not
ordinarily have met and gotten to know better.
And for this learning opportunity, I, for one, remain grateful to MC, and would strongly recommend going to its weekly Tuesday and Thursday discussions to
all.
Hope this helps.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
|
| Biswo |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 10:16 AM
I agree.
It is natural to disagree with the tactics of BASE, but no one has right to cancel
the organization, without any conclusive evidence that BASE is aligned with the
terrorists or terror network. Government is acting like a big brother.
It is also very likely that people like Khum Bdr Khadka are pissed off with BASE.
Khum Bdr can be pissed off with the organization for several reasons, like,
1. The members don't do Namaste to him regularly and properly.
2. They didn't give jobs to his henchmen.
3. Some of them have political ambitions. etc. etc.
If government has some problem with the organization, better they go for legal
recourse rather than browbeating this way.
|
| villageVoice |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 10:49 AM
Hold on guys. I just heard from a friend that the de-licensing talk about BASE is another badly reported case.
Yes, Khum B. Khadka did speak against BASE, but was not considering such a strict measure, the story goes. It could be that the governemnt is trying to give a new spin in face of a growing national and international outrage at the proposed move....
Ashu, pls check out and let us all know.
In any case the government - and the power that be - ' better realize that they should keep out of the pillars of civil society...and tempering with them will further lead the country to destruction.
As far as I see, a cash-strapped government should in fact be doing all it can to encourage the NGO participation to complement its badly battered social safety net. Any semblance of government machineary is non-existent in some districts.
NGOs can ably fill in that void, and help government reach the downtrodden and desperate, who are, needless to say, easy targets of Maoists, or other "revolutionary" comrades.
|
| ashu |
Posted
on 08-Apr-02 01:40 PM
V V,
The info I have posted here is correct as of this (Monday, April 8) afternoon
(Nepal time). I spoke to Dilli only this afternoon and got the latest updates.
Khum Bdr. Khadka, the Home Minister, did say what he said, even if he
was issuing an idle threat.
Khadka, the Home Minister, has every right to want to look into BASE's
day-to-day operations. That's fine.
But he has no Constitutional right whatsoever to issue blanket threats about taking away the registration. Issuing threats harks back to the days of
Panchayat.
Yesterday's The Himalyan daily English newspaper (which, alas, does not have a Web site yet!) had a front-page report about NGOs, including BASE, being terrified about having to deal with threats from state bodies about being
de-licensed.
These are trying times in Nepal.
We really don't know what these government's ministers, with their irresponsible statements, are up to.
oohi
ashu
ktm,nepal
|
| Rajib Sharma |
Posted
on 09-Apr-02 01:05 AM
Ashu ji,
I am glad that you have understood my point. Keep up the good work.
Rajib Sharma
|
