Written evidence submitted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide

 

About Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

 

1. CSW is a human rights non-governmental organisation, established in the United Kingdom in 1979, which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.  We exist to redress the injustice faced by those who are discriminated against or persecuted on religious grounds, to champion human rights and to stand in solidarity with the oppressed.  In much of our work we address broader human rights issues that affect all people regardless of their religion, working with people of all faiths or none.

 

Introduction

 

2. This submission follows CSW's participation in the 2008 DFID consultation on its new Nepal Country Assistance Plan, two submissions to DFID, and a meeting with its Kathmandu office in January 2009. During the same visit, CSW staff also met the then Minister for Administration, Pampha Bhusal and the then Minister for Law and Constitution, Dev Gurung, and many of the issues discussed with them are directly relevant to the terms of this inquiry. Each of the core issues to be considered in the inquiry are addressed in turn.

 

DFID's support for governance and state-building

 

3. Minister Pampha Bhusal highlighted the following areas which the UK government, including DFID could support in Nepal:

· The peace process;

· The smooth functioning of the coalition government;

· The process of finalising the new constitution;

· The restructuring of Nepal into a federal state;

· The integration of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA) into the state security services.

 

4. Minister Bhusal expressed the view that there is a vital need to restructure the civil service and tackle corruption. The civil service in Nepal, staffed by the old ruling class, could be a significant blockage to progress. She expressed the view that UK government assistance, both financial and technical, could make a significant impact. The UK government could therefore make a clear difference to the success of Nepal's coalition government. It would be helpful for the Select Committee to inquire as to whether and how DFID could make useful contributions in these areas.

 

 

 

 

How DFID works with the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Security Sector Reform

 

5. CSW asked DFID whether any help was being offered to the government of Nepal on the issue of rehabilitation of child soldiers and the integration of the Maoist PLA in the Nepal security services. These are vital components of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The release and rehabilitation of child soldiers has now started. CSW was informed that UN Peace Funding was ready to help when the release of child soldiers began. DFID might usefully make additional contributions in this area.

 

6. Minister Dev Gurung stated that the concern should not only be for child soldiers but for the rehabilitation of all disqualified by age or physical disability who must leave the PLA. DFID could offer further support for the full range of rehabilitation required in this process.

 

7. CSW understands from meeting officials at the British Embassy in Kathmandu, that the UK is giving technical support to the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC), which is concerned with civilian oversight of the armed forces and their reform. It would be useful to inquire about the nature of the technical support which the UK has offered and whether DFID is involved.

 

8. Minister Dev Gurung made clear that integration of armed forces is not simply a matter of inserting PLA soldiers into the existing Nepal Army and security services, but of a complete restructuring to ensure a full representation of all tribes and castes in the national security services. It would be very relevant to consider further ways of supporting the government of Nepal through this fraught and controversial process, especially in light of the UK's recent experience in Northern Ireland.

 

Donor coordination in support of greater peace-building

 

9. CSW has raised with DFID the central issue of how the UK could help Nepal to develop into a peaceful multi-faith secular state. There is a danger of religiously-motivated violence proliferating in Nepal. Recent incidents such as the bomb which exploded in the Dhobighat Catholic Church in May 2009 indicate very clearly the danger of a Hindu extremist backlash against recent developments such as the declaration of a secular multi-faith state and the abolition of the Hindu monarchy.

 

10. It would be pertinent to inquire as to whether DFID might have a role in building a peaceful multi-faith state, and how it might work to encourage religious co-operation and harmony. CSW and its partner organisation, the National Council of Churches of Nepal (NCCN), have been involved in the development of the Inter-Religious Peace Group which later became officially recognized as the Inter-Religious Council (IRC). However, this receives no state funding. CSW has been deeply impressed with the dedication to active work for peace and harmony amongst the members of this body, which represents Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Baha'is, and traditional religions, and works under the leadership of a Hindu president and a Christian vice-president. However, its work would benefit considerably from significant external funding.

 

11. CSW would recommend the work of IRC, to build peace and co-operation between religious groups, as being worthy of DFID funding within its peace-building mandate. So far, DFID has not been involved or working in this area. However, DFID could lead a number of donors in funding a peace-building programme, into which UK experience from Northern Ireland and mainland UK in inter-faith co-operation could also be of considerable help to Nepal.

 

DFID's efforts to reduce social exclusion and inequality, including its work with women

 

Social exclusion of religious minorities

 

12. There was mention in the DFID Nepal Country Assistance Plan of Muslims being one amongst the excluded groups in Nepal. However, Christians (of whom there are now an estimated one million in Nepal) have historically been equally excluded, and large numbers of them are doubly excluded by virtue of being Dalits or members of 'low' castes. Baha'is are another socially excluded religious minority.

 

13. The overarching aim of addressing social exclusion within the new Nepal should therefore take account of religious exclusion for all minority faiths. Work for religious liberty and full recognition of all faiths is very relevant to this issue.

 

Social exclusion on the basis of caste

 

14. In meetings with DFID in Kathmandu, CSW staff raised the question of how DFID is helping to promote social inclusion for Dalits and members of 'lower' castes. CSW recommended that DFID consider supporting the under-funded National Dalit Commission, and re-consider the decision to end funding for the National Dalit Federation? DFID has had a long-standing commitment to helping Dalits realise their rights under the Enabling State Programme, but the reasons for the ending of funding to the National Dalit Federation were not explained.

 

Social exclusion and education

 

15. Education, particularly that of girls, is rightly recognised by both the government of Nepal and by DFID as a crucial issue. Minister Pampha Bhusal had a deep commitment to the rapid development of underprivileged girls in Nepal education. Nationally, many fewer girls than boys complete secondary education, since girls have been given much less priority and status within the family. In discussions with the minister, political and social objectives for the urgent issue of the advancement of women and girls in Nepal were considered. CSW has been heavily involved in the education of Nepali girls from illiterate and 'low'-caste families for the past fifteen years. The building and development of Solidarity International Academy at Hetauda has been funded by CSW. At this independent school, free places for 250 'low'-caste girls has been a priority.

 

16. It is clear that DFID and other EU partners provide a large proportion of the funding for the state education system in Nepal, which is most commendable. However, most Nepali education experts are aware that the state system is not generally able to provide education of a comparable standard to that provided by the independent schools. CSW recommends that DFID fosters a constructive dialogue with the government of Nepal on the issue of developing access to free education, particularly for girls.