Agreement between the GoN and Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha

Respecting the sentiments and aspirations of the Madheshi people of Nepal, expressed during the protests and movements that they have organised time and again for equal rights, this Agreement was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Samyukta Loktantrik Madheshi Morcha [United Democratic Madheshi Front] to ensure the establishment of federal democratic republic in Nepal for multiparty democratic system of governance, to guarantee equality, freedom and justice for all, and to end all forms of discrimination.

This Agreement shall be implemented at once.

The points of agreement are as follows:

1. The State shall declare those killed during the Madhesh Movement as martyrs, and shall provide appropriate compensation to those maimed and yet to receive compensation.

Similarly, arrangements shall be made for those injured during the Movement to receive medical expenses and those martyred shall be given due recognition and their families shall be provided with relief at the rate of Rs 1 million, and those arrested shall be immediately released.

2. Nepal shall become a federal democratic republic by accepting people’s aspiration for a federal structure with autonomous regions, including the Madheshi people’s aspiration for an autonomous Madhesh state.

In the federal structure, power between the Centre and the states shall be divided clearly according to a list.

The states shall be fully autonomous and shall enjoy full rights.

The structure, full details of the lists of the Centre and the states and the division of power between them shall be determined by the Constituent Assembly, keeping Nepal’s sovereignty and integrity intact.

3. The existing legal provision of 20 per cent in Sub-section 14 of Section 7 of the Election of Members to the Constituent Assembly Act 2064 shall be changed to 30 per cent.

4. The Government shall execute appointments, promotions and nominations in a manner that ensures inclusive and proportional participation of Madheshi people, Adivasi, Jananati, women, Dalits, backward regions and minority communities in all state bodies, including the security bodies.

5. Proportional, inclusive group entry of Madheshi people and other communities into the Nepal Army shall be ensured to impart national character to Nepal Army and to make it more inclusive.

6. The Government of Nepal and the United Democratic Madheshi Front together request all armed groups agitating in the Terai to begin negotiations for a peaceful political process and to find solutions to all outstanding problems through dialogue.

The Government of Nepal shall take necessary steps to create an environment conducive to this purpose.

We appeal everyone to help conduct the Constituent Assembly election on April 10 in an environment which is peaceful, non-violent, impartial, fair and free of fear.

7. The Government of Nepal shall immediately release all those who have been detained, withdraw cases filed against Madheshi leaders and party cadres of the Forum as well as of other parties, and immediately implement all other points of the 22-Point Agreement signed between the Government of Nepal and the Madheshi Janadhikar Forum on August 30, 2007.

8. All protest programmes called by the United Democratic Madheshi Forum shall be immediately withdrawn.

The Government of Nepal shall be responsible for the constitutional, legal, political and administrative aspects of the issues mentioned in this Agreement.

The Government shall form a high-level monitoring committee, comprising, among others, members of the Front, to monitor the implementation of this agreement.

Signatories to the Agreement:

Sd.

Rajendra Mahato

National Chairperson

Sadbhavana Party

Sd.

Girija Prasad Koirala

Prime Minister

Government of Nepal

Sd.

Upendra Yadav

Central Coordinator

Madheshi Janadhikar Forum, Nepal

Sd.

Mahantha Thakur

Chairperson

Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party

February 28, 2008