Letter submitted to Peace Committee

25 June 2006


NCBL submitted a letter to Peace Committee on 25 June 2006. Below is the translated version of the letter:


Date: 25 June 2006

To
Mr Ram Chandra Paudel
Coordinator, Peace Committee
Peace Secretariat
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu

Subject: Regarding ceasefire

Dear Sir,

We are pleased to know that the Nepal government has set up Peace Secretariat for initiating peace talks between the government and the CPN Maoist and establishing lasting peace. First of all, I would like to congratulate the Peace Secretariat on behalf of Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL). In order to push forward the peace process, to create an environment of confidence, to ensure people's safety, and to make the peace talks result-oriented, we would like to request you to incorporate the following points in the Code of Conduct for Ceasefire.

1.
Not to lay landmines and ambushes targeting each other
2.
Not to lay landmines and ambushes on or below the surface of land
3.
To identify the types and number of mines and ambushes and the mine and ambush laid areas by both parties to the conflict
4.
Both parties to the conflict should mark the mined or ambush laid areas and should prohibit the access of the common people to such areas
5.
To identify the areas like the private land and houses acquired or unregistered land in which temporary or permanent security posts are set up and mines and ambushes are laid
6.
Both parties to the conflict should conduct Mine Risk Education
7.
To identify the problems created by mining and address them in order to rehabilitate the displaced people. For example, many private houses and land are used for mining
8.
To conduct a national survey of displaced people and mine victims including those killed, maimed and injured
9.
Introduce programs for the relief, rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration of displaced people and mine victims
10.
To remove landmines and ambushes laid in highly important public places like cross roads, rough or tarred roads, banks of rivers, forests, school premises, farms, resting places, pastures, and sources of drinking water immediately

Sincerely

Purna Shova Chitrakar
Coordinator
NCBL


Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL)
http://www.nepal.icbl.org