Interaction with CA Members for listing the Sonaha Community

FIAN Nepal has been working for the Sonaha Indigenous Peoples who have been living in the Bardiya district with traditional occupation. Their occupation has been being endangered due to the discriminatory policy which applied by the Nepal government. Their occupation issue has been highlighted by FIAN Nepal from the food rights perspectives. However, it is not being address by the government because of unstable political situation, proper follow-up and variances among the indigenous communities itself.

Sonaha community has their own tradition, language, culture and occupation. Gold panning and fishing is their traditional occupation. They are indigenous community with their own culture, tradition and occupation but they are not enlisted as indigenous people by the Nepal government. FIAN Nepal is working with Sohana community for their identity and protect of traditional occupation.

During the work with Sonaha and advocacy for peoples right to food, FIAN Nepal support Sonaha to raise their voices from district to central levels. FIAN Nepal has document their case of rights to food violation, published and distributed among the likeminded organization to make aware on the issues. Besides, FIAN Nepal also bring group of Sonaha peoples and arrange meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Federal Affair and Local Development in 2013. However, there are still much to do for Sonaha for make their access to rights to food.

They are listed as highly marginalized indigenous peoples in the II IP list-out programme but the committee report is not yet passed by the cabinet and that mean, Sonaha are not legally listed as an indigenous peoples. This situation gave us a feedback for regular lobby with concerned bodies including political party leaders, government authorities, CA members, parliamentarians, Sonaha community peoples and indigenous peoples organizations.

FIAN Nepal has organized a meeting with CA members and concerned personnel relating on 1 April 2014 at Kathmandu. In the program, CA members, government personnel, IP struggle committee representatives, representatives of IP organizations has been represented and provide their experiences, inputs and commitments for further works. The programme has started on 4 pm sharp and ended at 7 pm. altogether, 18 participants has participated in the meeting.

Objectives

Sensitize and create awareness among CA members and government authorities about Sohana as well all the enlisting indigenous people which are in the process of pass by cabinet
develop the common understanding for the further work towards the enlisting IPs communities

Mr. Kripasur Sherpa- CA Member-CPN UML

Mr. Kripasur, mentioned that in the list recommended by the committee few communities has been reduced from the list where as some new communities has been enlisted. He further stated that some IPs has been divided into two or more categories like Chumba and Nugri. Nugri is categorization as per place whereas Chumba are on the basis of caste, Walung and Thorke; they are also categorized as place and job, Tangbe is either Nisayang or Manage.

It has been more focused on receiving benefits. It ought to be come with good faith and well motive. It ought not to be result of mercy. With regard to process of enlisting IPs he said that it would have been approved by the ministry of law then would come to the parliament as bill and then only present as legislation and then only there will be their role. So right activist are to be active and pressurize. Thus there is requirement of few more consultation and discussion with this regard was conclusion drawn by Mr. Kripasur Sherpa.

Mr. Bal Bahadur KC- CA Members – NC

Mr. KC share that, there are mainly two causes of dismiss the I CA – one issues of minorities including issue of IPs and second federal structures of state. He further said that, the issue of identity of IPs is now owned by the government and this issue is not denied by government. He also what to be clear on the foundation, indicators and principles which adopted during the list-out process

With regard to report he said that, it reached cabinet but cabinet did not desire to finalize it. It was transferred to certain committee. Within the procedure of enactment of law there is some hindrance. He mentioned that further step can be identifying where actually the report has been stuck and keeping ministry level meeting so that the issue can be solved promptly.

Mr. Ser Dhan Rai, CA Members – CPN UML

Mr. Sher Dhan Rai has also made his commitment for raise the issues of IP in the CA house.

Mr. Rudra Sing Tamang, Under Secretary, GESI section, Ministry of Federal Affair and Local Development

Mr. Tamang share that, there are two methods for pass the pending report including 169 Plan of Action. First, there is already NFDIN Act 2058 and it is possible to put the list listed IPs in annex – I of the Act. Second, table the report and Plan of Action in cabinet through line ministry and give strong pressure to parliamentary for pass it. He further assured that there will be no hindrances through staffs. It would be better if Dalits and IPs are preceding together for address their issues.

He also mentioned that, cabinet and ministry both are unknown about the previously submitted report and now it would be initiate again and obviously it is a primary job of NFDIN in collaboration with all the concerning organizations including Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs).

Ms. Laxmi Rai, CA Member- NG

Ms. Rai has committed that, as we have access to CA house, we are responsible and of course, that will be our responsibilities. We will raise the issues of non-recognized IPs at CA house and try to address as much as possible.

Outputs

a. CA members are made the commitment for raise the voice in CA house

b. CA members also suggested IPs for further steps to taken for officially recognize the IPs

Conclusion

Issues of IPs and other marginalized peoples are to be raised strongly from grassroots to national levels because it is suitable time too. The issues of IPs especially, issues of listed IPs must have to lead by NFDIN and other which are working for IPs have to with them. Series of and levels of interactions, discussion and meeting have to organize very frequently for sensitize to the CA members, parliamentarians, law makers and political parties.