newar-girls
Along with several other ethnic, gender and regional groups who comprise the majority of the Nepalese population and had been marginalized throughout the rule of the Shah dynasty, we, the Newah people have been staging peaceful protests to demand equality and inclusion. While the current elected government had succumbed to the popular pressure and signed a pact on ethnic federalization, the dissolution of the elected Constituent Assembly nullified this pact.

The non-progressive elements who hindered the constitution drafting process leading to CA dissolution have brought four years of our nation’s genuinely public dialogue to an unfruitful end. Under these circumstances, WNO emphasizes on the need for continued alliance of Janajatis so that the rights of marginalised communities can be fully reclaimed. Such an alliance cannot be effective unless the diverse cultural and regional groups within the entire community offers their undivided support, and
the need to unite is more now than ever.

Although we, the Newars are aware of the historic importance of our culture and heritage, we have in the past lagged behind in translating this awareness into a political energy which can help us seek an end to marginalization and exclusion. Our unity and solidarity needs to be formally transformed into a political power that can effectively and decisively challenge the core of the state’s exclusion.

To be able to use our language for all administrative purposes, to receive equal importance and rights from the state government to preserve and further develop our culture and heritage, and to be able to safeguard the present and future of every Newar and his/her identity is our fundamental rights. International agreement on human rights has addressed these issues in the ILO Convention 169 which gives indigenous inhabitants like us, the Newars, every right to self-govern our indigenous land. WNO
hence appeals all key players in the on-going joint struggle for Newah federal state, to form a united front which can effectively fulfill the need for our mainstream political presence.

Let us not step back from taking this historical decision to safeguard our Newah identity and that of our future generation. WNO vows to continue it’s support in every way needed to realize what should be the common objective of all Newars.

World Newah Organization
United Kingdom
न.सं. ११३२ तछलागा: तृतितया, 7 June 2012