Cease-fire Code of Conduct

Preamble:

Respecting the popular mandate expressed through the historic people’s movement for total democracy, progress and peace;
Remaining committed towards the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -1948, and fundamental principles and values of international humanitarian law and human rights;
Remaining committed to fulfil the 12-point agreement between the seven political parties and the Maoists;
Remaining committed towards democratic values including the concept of competitive multiparty democracy, civic liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, press freedom and rule of law;
Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Nepali people to participate in the process of constitution making through elections to the Constituent Assembly without any fear, threat and violence; Placing democracy, peace, prosperity, forward-looking social transformation and freedom, sovereignty and dignity of the nation in the center;
and In order to transform the ceasefire between the Government of Nepal and the CPN (Maoist) into permanent peace and resolve the problems through negotiations, a code of conduct has been issued as follows as per the wishes of the Nepali people:

Guaranteeing fearless civilian life

1. Not to issue any statement or engage in any activities which could provoke each other.

2. Both the parties shall not mobilise, display or use their armed forces in a manner that could spread fear and terror amongst the people.

3. Not to attack or destroy each other’s military or security installations, not to lay down mines or ambushes, not to recruit new people in one’s military and not to spy against each other.

4. Both sides will extend mutual cooperation in order to maintain peace and security.

5. Discussion and understanding will be made as per need regarding the issue of management of arms and armed personnel. Creating an environment of trust among the people

6. Both the parties will not participate in public meetings, conference or any other political activities in combat dresses or along with arms.

7. No hindrance will be made from either side for political activists and members of social organisations to move around the country and express their views, organise meetings or engage in their organisational works. They will not be subject to any mental or physical pressure. On basic services to the people and development activities .

8. During the period of ceasefire, activities like `bandh’ (general strike) and `chakka jam’ (transport strike) will not be organised, but peaceful demonstrations may be organised.

9. Essential services and facilities to the people will be allowed to operate without any disruption.

10. Not to create hurdles in undertaking regular development works peacefully and other works aimed at people’s benefit.

11. Transportation of items like food, medicines, materials used in development woks and daily utility items will not be obstructed or banned.

12. Both the parties will create an environment for the smooth functioning of schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, health centres and industrial institutions. Cooperation from media for peace talks .

13. Use civilised and dignified language while disseminating information about ceasefire, code of conduct and the peace process and other political activities.

14. Nobody should issue statements through media in a manner, which could hamper the talks and peace process. Not to collect donation and other financial assistance forcefully .

15. Donation or financial assistance in cash, kind or in the form of services will not be collected or mobilised against one’s will. Release and rehabilitation .

16. Accusation, claims or cases filed by both the parties against various individuals will be withdrawn and the detainees will be released gradually.

17. Whereabouts of the people who have been disappeared will be publicised immediately.

18. To help in the rehabilitation of and extend cooperation to displaced people to return to their respective houses in a peaceful, comfortable and respectable manner .

19. Return the properties of the leaders of political parties, activists and civilians, which were seized, locked up or prohibited from being used during the period of the conflict, to concerned persons or their families. Problems arising while returning the properties will be resolved through mutual agreement. Facilitating the talks.

20. No hurdles will be created in the movement and activities of individuals involved in negotiations from both the parties Monitoring .

21. On the basis of mutual agreement between the two parties, national and international monitoring teams will be asked to monitor the ceasefire. Miscellaneous.

22. Dispute, if any, in terms of interpretation of this code of conduct, will be resolved on the basis of agreement between the parties.

23. In accordance with the spirit of the preamble of this code, amendments could be made in the code of conduct through mutual agreement.

24. To enforce this code of conduct immediately after it is signed.

25. To make the code of conduct public immediately after it is signed.

Signed by:
Krishna Bahadur Mahara
On behalf of the CPN (Maoist)

Signed by:
Krishna Prasad Sitaula
On behalf of the govt. of Nepal

Source: Nepal news