EVENT ADVISORY

Crisis in Shangrila . . .
Nepali Journalist Speaks on Political Turmoil in Nepal

Ottawa, June 18, 2001 – Journalists are invited to join well-known Nepali journalist, Deepak Thapa, in a presentation of his research findings on the Maoist insurgency and the resulting political unrest in Nepal. This revealing research, commissioned by SAP Canada, was published in part as the cover story “The Killing Terraces of Nepal” for a recent issue of the Nepali magazine Himal South Asia.

Thapa documents how the once peaceful reputation of Nepal has, in the last few years, been undermined by guerrilla insurgency and scores of extra-judicial killings by police. This “war” between so-called Maoists and the Nepal government is severely affecting local people’s lives, with hundreds of villagers internally displaced and many of them living in terror and fear. Compounding the issue, of course, are the recent dramatic events surrounding the massacre of the royal family, adding even greater confusion and turmoil to the volatile situation.

According to Thapa, “For a country that has not seen a real war for nearly two centuries, the number of those killed in the course of the fighting has been numbing. Six years in to the Maoist People’s War, the toll is 1700 dead.” Several local and international NGOs, including Canadian, have already stopped working in the affected areas for the safety of their staff, and there is a fear that its impact on development work will continue to escalate.

To help explore how the Canadian government, development organizations, civil society and activists can begin to deal with this situation, SAP Canada has organized a Canadian tour by Thapa as part of SAP’s current initiative called “Understanding Political Unrest in Nepal.” Canadian partners in this activity are the Léger Foundation and World Accord.

We cordially invite you to join us for this thought-provoking and enlightening presentation. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information or documentation.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2001
TIME: 11:00 A.M.
PLACE: LIBRARY, PRESS CLUB, OTTAWA

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For more information:

Leah Geller, Media Relations Faruq Faisel, Canadian Program Manager
South Asia Partnership South Asia Partnership
(613) 241-1333 ext. 228 (613) 241-1333 ext. 226