Resumo de What Is The Role Of The Political Parties In Nepal?

What is the role of the political parties in nepal?
A coalition of seven political parties has led the campaign for the king to restore democracy. Divisions over whether the monarchy should be scrapped were papered over in November 2005 in an agreement reached with the Maoist rebels. That agreement only talked about ending an "autocratic" monarchy. The political parties also agreed with the Maoists on the need for a constituent assembly to chart the country's future. Opposition-led protests have taken place against a background of arrests and prosecutions of party leaders. Some of those prosecutions were carried out by a controversial royal anti-corruption body, which critics said was a tool of political intimidation. It has since been declared illegal by the Supreme Court in what was seen as a major setback for the king. Why did the king seize power?
He accused Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's government of failing to win the support of Maoist rebels for a deadline for peace talks and failing to prepare the ground for elections in the spring of 2005. However, analysts suggest the king might have been using these issues to strengthen his own role in Nepalese politics, perhaps seeking to create an absolute monarchy. The king denied carrying out a coup. He insisted human rights would be respected and has promised "effective democracy" and peace within three years. What was the reaction at home and abroad?
Prime Minister Deuba, placed under house arrest, said the "anti-democratic step" had thrown Nepal into a "grave crisis". India, Nepal's giant neighbour, voiced "grave concern", accusing the king of violating the constitution. The Indian foreign ministry suggested the move played into the hands of the Maoist rebels seeking to both "undermine democracy and the institution of monarchy". The US, the UK, the UN and China, among others, have all stressed the need for reconciliation between King Gyanendra and the political parties. How strong are the rebels?
The Maoists are virtually in control of most of rural Nepal, although the authorities dispute this. Rebel fighters melt away into the hills when troops arrive in force. They have frequently enforced blockades of major towns and cities through fear of reprisals, showing they have the power to paralyse the economy. Senior military officers say there are between 10,000 and 15,000 well-trained rebel fighters, known as the movement's "hard core". It is estimated that there could be up to 50,000 so called "militia" who fight alongside them. The army is better equipped, but mountainous terrain and popular support in some areas favours the rebels. Analysts say that, as the war has progressed, it has become increasingly clear that neither side has the military muscle to win decisively. What's the human cost of the conflict?
More than 13,000 people have been killed in violence in Nepal since the insurgency began 10 years ago, many of them civilians caught in cross-fire with security forces. Both sides in the conflict are frequently accused of carrying out human rights abuses. There has been heavy violence since the rebels ended a unilateral ceasefire at the start of 2006, although clashes have subsided as protests against the king have grown. What chance is there of peace?
Despite several rounds of talks in recent years, the government and the rebels still fail to agree on the central issue - the role of Nepal's constitutional monarchy. The Maoists want a new draft constitution, which would offer the option of abolishing the monarchy. The government's room for negotiation was restricted by the king's decision to assume executive powers and dismiss successive prime ministers he appointed after parliament was suspended in October 2002. Analysts say there is little hope of the key sticking point of the monarchy being resolved in the near future. What do we know about the rebels?

The Maoists claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong and want to establishnist state. Their shadowy leader's name, Prachanda, is translated as "the fierce one". The group is modelled on Peru's Maoist Shining Path guerrillas. In one recent interview with the BBC, Prachanda said the rebels might reconsider their opposition to the monarchy if the king held free elections for a constituent assembly. But in another he said he thought the king could face exile or trial, unless the people decided otherwise.

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