Christian Efforts for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation

CEPJAR on behalf of the Christian community of Nepal has made its views on the current political situation in the country by organizing various programmes and through press statements issued from time to time. Under the present situation when the political crisis in the country continues, there is absence of elected government and the parliament, the conflict is escalating day by day, militarization in the country continues, the social, economic and education system is in a mess, and the external powers are increasingly meddling in Nepal's internal affairs and are increasing their influence, the Christian community in Nepal felt the need to once again discuss the current situation and make its position clearly known to the public. Christian leaders in Nepal gathered on 14 December [2004] at Nava Jeevan Church in Kupondole, Lalitpur, to discuss the current situation in the country. They discussed at length the current situation in the country and came up with the following agreed position regarding the ongoing conflict.

- Since the Maoist problem is a political issue, it should be resolved through political means.

- There is no military solution to the current conflict.

- Dialogue is the only way to resolve this crisis.

- There must be international mediation/facilitation in the future talks between the government and the Maoists.

- Since the present constitution of Nepal does not guarantee all fundamental rights of the Nepali people including the religious freedom and these rights cannot be guaranteed through mere amendment of the constitution, the Christian community in Nepal is in favor of a new constitution.

- All parties in the conflict as well as the civil society must be willing to discuss the agenda put forth by the Maoists namely Round Table Discussion, Interim Government and Election of the Constituent Assembly.

- If going for the constituent assembly (which is one of the main demands of the Maoists) is the only peaceful way out of the current crisis the country must be ready for this.

- Human rights violations must stop and both sides must respect the Geneva Convention common article 3.

- In the future talks between the government and the Maoists, there must be the representation/involvement of the religious communities in Nepal.

- The Christian community in Nepal is always in favor of a healthy competitive democratic political system and is opposed to any form of dictatorship.

- Nepal's Christian community is always for peace.