Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2007
2007
The United Nations Missions in Nepal (UNMIN) was established on 23 January. The Secretary General Appointed Ian Martin as his personal representative in Nepal on 8 February 2007.1
Management of arms and the armies: The first step in the management of arms and armies was to initiate the cantonment process and register the Maoist combatants and verify the return of the Nepal Army to their barracks. This process should also have included the deposit of weapons in containers. The cantonment of the Maoist combatants started as soon as the United Nations Mission in Nepal was established on 23 January 2007. In a press statement on 23 February 2007, the UNMIN claimed that 32,250 Maoist combatants were registered either in the seven major cantonment sites or in the 21 satellite sites. A news report attested that the first phase of the registration of combatants was completed within one month. The UNMIN reported the results to the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) on March 8 confirming 31,252 personnel and 3,475 weapons.2 The registered number of Maoist combatants later increased slightly to 32,250.3 Once the cantonment process was complete, the UNMIN had to verify the registered combatants, in order that those unqualified for reintegration could be demobilized. This verification process was completed by the end of 2007.
According to the CPA and the subsequent AMMAA agreement, 3,475 of the Maoist’s weapons were registered and stored in cantonment locations. The process was completed in April 2007. In accordance with the agreement, 2,855 of the Nepal Army’s weapons were registered and stored. Among the weapons registered by the Maoists, 96 weapons were retained outside the cantonments for the security of the Maoist leaders.4 The UNMIN was also involved in the clearance of the mines.
Human Rights: According to the Secretary General’s report, the OHCHR continued to monitor the human rights situation, with particular attention to the peace process. The UNMIN and OHCHR coordinated together. The OHCHR documented a number of human rights violations. The UNMIN continued to push for a credible independent national monitoring mechanism for the peace process that would include appointing members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Five members of the NHRC members were appointed in September after a parliamentary hearing. In June, the government also agreed in principle to establish a high-level monitoring body.5
Constituent Assembly Elections: The UNMIN contributed to the work of the Election Commission on various issues including the adoption of an electoral code of conduct, candidate nomination, and the procedures to meet the complex quota system of the electoral legislations. As a part of their electoral assistance, the UNMIN helped to recruit international and national volunteers, who took up positions as district electoral advisers.6 After postponing elections twice in 2007, the CA elections were rescheduled for April 2008.
By October 2007, the five UNMIN regional offices, in Dhangadi, Nepalgunj, Pokhara, Kathmandu, and Biratnagar, were operational. As of 30 September, 881 of the planned 1,073 personnel were at their posts and more staff was deployed in regions and districts than at headquarters.7
- “UN Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/235), April 26, 2007.
- “UN Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/235), April 26, 2007.
- Ameet Dhakal, “The People’s Liberation Army (PLA),” Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), 2009.
- “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/235), April 26, 2007.
- “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/ 442), July 18, 2007; (S/2007/612), October 18, 2007.
- “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/612), October 18, 2007.
- “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/2007/612), October 18, 2007.