The indigenous leaders on Wednesday handed over an 11-point memorandum to NC President Sushil Koirala at party headquarters at Sanepa, urging the latter to take the initiative for state restructuring based on ethnic identity and with right to self-determination. [break]
According to NC ex-lawmaker Jip Chhiring Lama, they have also demanded the setting out of special zones besides federal provinces based on ethnic identity as per the recommendation made by the Constituent Assembly (CA) Committee on State Restructuring.
"Secularism, autonomy and ethnic self-rule should be ensured under the new constitution in federal Nepal," reads the memorandum.
The indigenous leaders have demanded a fully proportional electoral system on the basis of ethnic populations and that representation of the marginalized, minorities and endangered communities be ensured.
Also, they have demanded representation of indigenous peoples in all state structures including the executive, legislature and judiciary, as per the principle of inclusiveness and proportional representation.
Likewise, the indigenous leaders have demanded implementation of ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention 169.
Similarly, they have demanded representation of all communities in all organizations of the NC on the basis of their respective populations.
Responding to the party´s indigenous leaders, Koirala assured them that the NC would come up with its views on the issues raised by the indigenous communities.
"I have taken yours demands positively; we will discuss them in the party central committee meeting," Lama quoted Koirala as saying, adding, "Please rest assured, we will address your demands."
Koirala maintained that the NC was the only party that has been working for the cause of indigenous peoples since the beginning. "The NC has been struggling for the rights of indigenous peoples since 1950," Lama further quoted Koirala as saying.
The NC indigenous leaders have said that they would be compelled to take stern measures if the party did not address their demands on time.
Related story
Republic, secularism in Constitution welcome: Limbuwan movement...
