Issuing a joint statement, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), Nepal Women Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEWFIN), Lawyers for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP) and NGO-Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities (NGO-FONIN) have also threatened stringent protests if the provisions are not implemented.
According to the joint statement, the government on February 5, 2008 had formed a 23-member Expert Committee to implement the provisions of the convention. Among others, the Committee chaired by Local Development Minister comprised 9 representatives of different ministries, one from National Planning Commission and one from the NEFIN.
The committee after holding consultations with the representatives from various government offices and the experts of the indigenous rights had prepared a work plan to amend existing laws in the country in tune with the provisions of ILO convention in three phases within the period of five years and submitted it to Minister for Local Development on February 9, 2009 for government endorsement. However, the government has yet to endorse the work plan.
The statement alleged that the government ministries are trying to amend the language used and deadline set in the work plan, demonstrating the government´s unwillingness to implement the ILO 169. It added that the attempt to amend the work plan prepared by the expert committee has created situation that the ILO 169 won´t be implemented.
While urging the government to implement the work plan honestly, the four organizations have also warned of serious consequence if not brought to implementation.
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