23-point Agreement between the Top Leaders
of the Seven-Party Alliance December 23, 2007
A meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties was
held today, December 23, 2007, at the Prime Minister's residence, Baluwatar.
Although the parties had different views on the various topics that
were discussed, the following decisions were reached between the top
leaders of the seven parties by focusing on the central issue of national
resolution to hold the elections by mid-April 2008.
1. The following amendments shall be made to Subtitles
and Sub-article (1), (2), (3), (3a), (3b) of Article 159 of the Constitution:
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Nepal shall be a federal democratic republic.
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The republic shall be implemented at the first meeting
of the Constituent Assembly. Should the King pose a threat to holding
the Constituent Assembly election, a two-thirds majority of the
Interim Legislature-Parliament can promulgate the republic by voting
for the proposal. In such a case, the Council of Ministers shall
take the decision for presenting the proposal and shall table the
proposal before the legislature-Parliament.
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The King shall not be vested with any right regarding
governance of the country.
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The Prime Minister shall carry out tasks related
to the governance of the country.
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Until the promulgation of a republic, the Prime
Minister shall carry out all the duties of the head of state.
2. The Article concerned of the Interim
Constitution shall be amended to maintain the current 240 constituencies
under the first-past-the-post electoral system, to maintain 335 members
instead of 240 to be elected through the proportional electoral system
and to maintain 26 members, instead of 17 nominated by the Council of
Ministers based on consensus. If Adivasai/Janajatis do not find their
representation amongst the 26 nominated members through election, amendment
shall be made for their inclusion.
3. Provision necessary for the appointment
of a General Secretary to the Legislature-Parliament shall be included
in the Constitution.
4. In view of the merger or Nepali Congress
and Nepali Congress (Democratic) to farm Nepali Congress, necessary
amendment shall be made to the Constitution.
5. Amendment shall be made to the Constitution
to make necessary provision for appointments to the Legislature-Parliament,
substituting the members who have died, tendered resignations or who
have been expelled.
6. The following commissions and committees
shall he formed by the Government within a month, based on consensus:
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Commission for the Investigation of the Disappeared
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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State Reconstruction Commission
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Study and Recommendation Commission for Scientific
Land Reform
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High-Level Committee for Monitoring the Effective
Implementation of Comprehensive Peace Accord and other Agreements
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A Level Peace Commission shall he formed as per
the Comprehensive Peace Accord. The Ministry of Peace shall work
in coordination with this Commission
7. Create mechanisms in local bodies
on the basis of consensus. Decision regarding this shall he made by
a coordination committee comprising top leaders.
8. As per the Comprehensive Peace Accord,
relief shall be provided to the families of those killed in the armed
conflict by mid-February. With regard to the disappeared, relief shall
be provided based on the report of the investigation Commission. A preliminary
report shall be submitted within a month from the commencement of the
investigation by the Commission.
9. The private and public houses and
land captured by the Maoists during the armed conflict shall be returned
to the individuals and agencies concerned within one month. A district-level
mechanism shall be set up under the chair of Chief District Officer
to implement this agreement in the district. The displaced shall be
rehabilitated in their own house/land with dignity.
10. Request shall he made to the National
Human Rights Commission to monitor [the implementation of] points 8,
9 and 10 [of this agreement].
11. The amount remaining to he paid
to the verified combatants of the Maoist Army as per the agreement shall
be paid in installments by February 12 (end of Magh-end), and the allowances
thereafter shall be provided on monthly basis. Arrangements shall be
made for the immediate release of those disqualified in the verification
after paving them the amount due as per the agreement.
12. Regarding the integration of the
verified combatants of the Maoist Army, the Special Committee formed
by the Council of Ministers as per the Interim Constitution shall further
the process after deliberations.
13. The commissions that were provided
for in Article 154 of the Interim Constitution but not yet formed shall
be formed within a month.
14. The Maoist prisoners detained during
the armed conflict under different charges, and currently in different
jails in Nepal shall be released by January 14 and the charges filed
against Maoist leaders and cadres withdrawn. Similarly, efforts shall
be made at diplomatic level for the release of Nepalese Maoist prisoners
detained during the armed conflict in foreign prisons. All cases filed
in the past against political parties and politicians on political grounds
shall be withdrawn.
15. For the formation of a new constitution
incorporating the principles of federal republic state and multi-party
democratic system, a coordination committee comprising the top leaders
shall be formed to support and coordinate the Interim Governments' efforts
to hold the Constituent Assemble election, the committee shall appoint
its coordinator on rotational basis and shall be free to determine its
work procedures.
16. Creating conditions for the maintenance
of law and order situation in the country, easy and accessible supply
of daily needs of the people, good governance, control of corruption,
and holding Constituent Assembly election in a free and fair manner
shall be the utmost priorities of [he Interim Government.
17. None of the political parties and
their affiliated organisations shall engage in activities that will
disrupt or have an adverse effect on the forthcoming election. They
shall refrain from the use of force, the use and display of arms/weapons,
collection of tax by setting up toll gates, and forcible collection
of money from tourists, teachers, employees, business community, traders
or any other person; and shall immediately put an end to all acts of
physical violence, abduction, forcible takeover of property, etc.
18. The cadres of all political parties
shall be allowed to peacefully Carry out their political activities
and campaigns in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation of any
kind.
19. A commitment is hereby made by all
parties to fully comply with and implement all points agreed to of the
Comprehensive Peace Accord.
20. The Government of Nepal shall take
initiative to raise international support to immediately meet its financial
obligations, including reconstruction, re-provision, rehabilitation
and resettlement of the victims of the conflict.
21. All seven parties shall hold public
meetings in seven different places of the country to appeal to the people
to participate in the election.
22. With the signing of this agreement,
the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) shall join the government with
immediate effect.
23. The First and foremost agenda for
all of us is to hold the Constituent Assembly election. Through the
meeting of the seven parties, we have already taken the decision to
hold the election by mid-April (end of Chaitra). We heartily appeal
to all political parties, civil society, all professionals and other
compatriots to help conduct the election in a free, fair, and fear-free
atmosphere.
Acting President of Nepali Congress
Mr Sushil Koirala
|
Sd.
|
General Secretary of the
CPN (UML) Mr Madhav Nepal |
Sd. |
Chairman of CPN (Maoist)
Mr Prachanda |
Sd. |
President of Janamorcha
Nepal Mr Amik Sherehan |
Sd. |
President of Nepal Majdoor
Kisaan Party
Mr Narayan Man Bijukchhe |
Sd. |
Nepal Sadhvawana Party
(Anandi Devi)
General Secretary Mr Shyam Sunder Gupta |
Sd. |
President of Samykuta
Bammorcha Mr C..P. Mainali |
Sd. |
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