Leaders Emphasize State's Role in Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Representation

Leaders have emphasized the need for the state to be serious about ensuring the identity, rights, and entitlements of indigenous peoples. They have demanded that the upcoming constitutional amendment prioritize the issues of indigenous communities, connect traditional knowledge with the modern economy, and ensure proportional representation at all levels of the state. The leaders shared a common view that it is necessary to unite on the common issues of indigenous peoples, rising above partisan interests. Along with this, the need to bring the implementation of international treaties and agreements to a meaningful conclusion and to bring the movement for identity to a successful conclusion has been pointed out.

Nepali Congress Chief Whip Niskal Rai emphasized that the state must be serious about ensuring the identity, rights, and entitlements of indigenous peoples. He stated that while political affiliations can change, ethnic identity and existence are immutable. Rai demanded that the government immediately resolve the problems in this sector by activating bodies like the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities.

Regarding the ordinance brought about appointing individuals outside of political parties and the 18-point position paper, he drew the attention of the ruling party. He expressed concern that the state has been failing in the implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169 and other international treaties and agreements. Expressing the view that the traditional knowledge and skills of indigenous peoples should be linked to economic prosperity, he put forward the concepts of 'Orange Economy' and 'Green Economy'.

Speaking about the context of constitutional amendment, Chief Whip Rai said that all party MPs should take initiative from their respective positions to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples and their major role in state governance. He argued that the democratic system cannot be strengthened without the dignified presence of marginalized communities, women, Dalits, and indigenous peoples who have not been able to join the mainstream of the state.

He said, 'I may change political parties tomorrow, but as a person born into the Rai community, I cannot become part of another community. Therefore, our identity, language, script, and culture are our primary existence. Politics is only a secondary matter. Indigenous peoples have been practicing green economy by conserving water, land, and forests since ancient times. Now, we must make our culture and identity global through the 'Orange Economy' and inspire the youth in this.'

CPN-UML MP Khitij Thebe expressed solidarity with the 18-point position paper put forward by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities and pledged to take necessary initiatives from his and his party's side to address these demands. MP Thebe mentioned that he has seriously studied the demands of the Federation and that some issues are historically significant. Speaking about the constitutional amendment, he emphasized that the amendment should be made to strengthen the democratic republic and that the voices of indigenous peoples should be included in it.

Targeting the questions that have arisen regarding the governing council of the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, he said that the government's decision should not suppress the rights and voices of indigenous peoples. He stated that he would draw the government's attention to this matter and strive to correct the errors. He pointed out the need to connect traditional products with modern industries for the economic prosperity of the indigenous community.

Expressing concern about the condition of indigenous students in the field of education, he said that the reason why students who achieve excellent results up to the secondary level fall behind in higher education should be investigated. He suggested that the Federation should pay special attention to improving educational quality and creating a conducive environment.

He said, 'The CPN-UML has already formed a task force for constitutional amendment in a meeting of its secretariat, which also includes former Federation Chairman Pasang Sherpa as a member. This will further facilitate the voice of the Federation to reach the party and the government. I will personally discuss these demands within the party. Indigenous peoples are synonymous with self-reliance. We must strengthen the economy by industrializing the production of our indigenous food grains, clothing, and beverages in a scientific manner.'

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Kusum Maharjan said that capacity building and policy reforms are necessary for the just representation of indigenous peoples and women at all levels of the state. MP Maharjan, who reached parliament representing indigenous peoples under the proportional representation system, mentioned that this community has made an invaluable contribution to preserving the country's geography and culture.

She stated that communities like Rai, Limbu, Sherpa scattered in the mountains, hills, and plains, as well as the Newars of the valley, are preserving Nepal's unique identity and biodiversity. MP Maharjan expressed concern that although indigenous peoples and the Tharu community constitute 36 percent of the total population, their presence in high-ranking positions and government bodies is limited to only 16 to 17 percent. She emphasized the need to identify and solve the concrete reasons why the dropout rate of indigenous students is high, especially after the secondary level (grades 8, 9, and 10).

Speaking about the struggles of women in politics and social sectors, she said that it is challenging to manage household responsibilities while fulfilling social responsibilities. She demanded that equal (50 percent) rights for women and men should be ensured in the upcoming constitutional amendment. She expressed confidence that such a provision would protect the rights of women of all ethnic groups. She mentioned that the party has given equal opportunities to candidates in both direct and proportional systems and has also given space to the issues of minorities on the national stage. MP Maharjan also pledged that her party would always remain firm on the issues of rights and interests of indigenous peoples and collectively address the problems of the people.

She said, 'We need to see where we are faltering. While talking about lack of government access, we need to correct our shortcomings and focus on enhancing capacity and competence. We represent not just one specific caste, but all Nepalis within the four pillars of Nepal.'

Labour Culture Party Chief Whip Aryan Rai warned of strong street protests if the rights of indigenous peoples, Dalits, Madhesis, and marginalized communities are curtailed in the constitutional amendment process. Chief Whip Rai accused the state of trying to create confusion by labeling the identity movement as casteist or religious extremism. He clarified that being an advocate for identity does not mean advocating for a specific caste, but rather protecting the country's history, customs, culture, and national heritage like Pashupatinath and Lumbini.

Speaking about the constitutional amendment, Rai objected to the suggestion committee formed by the current government not being inclusive. He demanded that the constitutional amendment process should have full representation based on ethnicity, gender, and geography. Rai informed that he has already submitted a list of indigenous rights activists for inclusivity in the constitutional amendment drafting committee, and that women's representation should be ensured at a minimum of 50 percent when amending the constitution. He also called upon indigenous peoples and oppressed communities to be aware and united for their rights.

He said, 'The suffering of the poor, farmers, and oppressed communities in remote areas cannot be addressed solely by the advice of a few individuals working in high positions in the state from Kathmandu. For us, identity and rights are more important than parliamentary or ministerial positions. If there is even a slight deviation from federalism, secularism, and democracy, or from the rights achieved, all oppressed communities will have no option but to take to the streets.'

Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP Sarala Lama emphasized the need to unite above political interests for the upliftment of indigenous peoples. MP Lama stated that partisan division in organizations hinders the actual development of the concerned communities.

She expressed the view that regardless of political affiliation, everyone should work together on the common issues of indigenous peoples, stepping outside party boundaries. She stated that cultural preservation, equal opportunity, national unity, and respect for traditional identity are the main priorities. Expressing concern about the education and future of children from indigenous communities, MP Lama said that the confusion seen in their education after the school level needs to be cleared.

She argued that special training and culture are needed to make them competitive at national and international levels. Recalling her personal struggles, MP Lama said that daughters of indigenous peoples face many obstacles to reach the policy-making level. She mentioned that to overcome such challenges, a culture of mutual support and encouragement should be developed within the community.

She said, 'Although we appear united from the outside, we are internally divided. Especially, the division based on political parties during general conventions overshadows the core purpose of the organization. As long as partisan interests dominate organizations, the true upliftment of any ethnic group is impossible. We must take the support of parties and convey our conclusions into party policy-making, but sidelining capable individuals based on party affiliation is not in the interest of the organization. Our language, religion, customs, and traditions must be preserved, but the country should not be divided on an ethnic basis. All communities should have equal access to all state bodies, but nationality should not be weakened in the name of caste and religion. Indigenous peoples living in the hilly regions should have priority over natural resources like forests and mines there. For this, we all must unite and work.'

Nepali Communist Party leader Parshuram Tamang emphasized the need for all forces to unite on common issues to make the indigenous peoples' movement and its agendas effective. Leader Tamang commented that the movement has weakened due to the increasing interference of political parties in ethnic organizations. He informed that he has already presented the issues of indigenous peoples in writing at the meeting of proportional representatives called by the Prime Minister and in the constitutional amendment task force formed by the government.

He stated that he has been raising the demand for an apology to the Himalayan Buddhist and indigenous communities. Mentioning that the style of protest has become easier compared to the past, he urged for public opinion creation through the use of technology. He mentioned that community support and pressure from outside are necessary when they raise their voices in parliament.

Leader Tamang criticized the tendency of political parties to nominate and capture candidates in ethnic organizations. He expressed the view that those involved in ethnic organizations should resign from their party positions and their loyalty to the organization should be clear.

He said, 'In our time, we had to surround Tundikhel carrying black banners, but now protests can be strengthened by liking and supporting on social media. In the past, there was no party interference, and leadership was selected based on capability. Now, the spirit of the movement has died because leadership is decided by party directives.'

Although the credit for nationalizing the issues of indigenous peoples and bringing them to the Constituent Assembly goes to the people's war led by the then CPN (Maoist), the achievements such as federalism, secularism, and proportional inclusion have been achieved on the foundation of the indigenous peoples' movement, he argued. He stated that although significant achievements like the United Nations Declaration and ILO Convention 169 have been made regarding indigenous rights internationally, their implementation on the ground in Nepal is weak.

He suggested including the national action plan formulated to establish the rights of indigenous peoples in the working papers. Stating that indigenous organizations should not be lenient on the issue of autonomy, he clarified that his party and he personally fully support these demands. - News Agency Nepal