Comprehensive Peace Accord

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Comprehensive Peace Accord
Comprehensive Peace Accord
TypePeace
ContextNepalese Civil War
Signed21 November 2006 (2006-11-21)
LocationKathmandu, Nepal
Original
signatories		Girija Prasad Koirala
(Prime Minister of Nepal)
PartiesGovernment of Nepal and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
LanguageNepali

The Comprehensive Peace Accord (Nepali: विस्तृत शान्ति सम्झौता; abbreviated CPA) was signed on 21 November 2006 between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)—at the time known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).[1]

Highlights of the peace accord

The peace accord marked the formal end of the Nepalese Civil War that began in 1996. It included the following provisions:

  • The Maoist People's Liberation Army to be placed in temporary cantonments, where they would be rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society, and the monarchist army to be confined within the barracks. Both armies to be monitored and supervised by the United Nations Mission in Nepal, as per the earlier agreement reached between the government and the Maoists.
  • Strict implementation of all previous pacts/agreements reached between the government and Maoists.
  • Termination of the military action and the armed mobilization. Both sides to stop attacks or any kind of violent and offensive activities from either side; no new recruitment in armed forces of both sides and no transportation of arms and ammunition and explosives.
  • Both sides to assist each other to maintain law, peace, and order
  • Both sides to fully commit themselves to uphold all international human rights laws and civil liberties, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor the human rights situation.
  • The King to be stripped of political rights and his property to be nationalized under public trusts.
  • Scrapping of the Maoists' parallel administration (People's governments, People's Courts) across the country.
  • Strong punitive policy to curb corruption and confiscation of property earned illegally through corruption
  • Formation of National Peace and Rehabilitation Commission, Truth Commission, and a high-level Commission for State Restructuring.
  • Respectful rehabilitation and social integration of the people displaced during the insurgency

Implementation

CPA's implementation has been a topic of intense debate over the years.

Demilitarization

The Maoist army was confined within temporary cantonments that were verified and monitored by the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), with their arms locked in the cantonment and guarded by UNMIN. An equal number of arms of Nepal Army were also guarded by UNMIN. As of 2007, properties confiscated by Maoists had not been fully returned.[2][3][4]

There was disagreement between Maoists and other parties on issues of integration of the Maoist army into the Nepal army. Former Prime Minister Madav Kumar Nepal said that the Maoist army would be rehabilitated and integrated into the Nepal Army[5] but key coalition partners of the Nepali Congress and Madhesi Janadhikar Forum were vehemently opposed to the idea.[6][7] Even former Defence Minister Bidhya Devi Bhandari was strongly against the deal.[8]

After a second round of verification, 4,008 verified minor and late recruits were released from cantonments beginning in January 2010.[9][10] Among the released 4,008 ex-combatants from seven main camps and other 21 satellite camps located at various parts of the country, 2,973 were verified minors (who were under 18 when the peace deal was signed on November 21, 2006) and 1,035 were late recruits (recruited after November 21, 2006). As of 2010 the United Nations was providing four types of rehabilitation packages for released ex-combatants which include vocational training, sponsoring school education, health education training and supporting small business initiatives.[11] Research was done to identify how the private sector could support the rehabilitation program and help in consolidating peace.[12]

The demobilization process was concluded in 2013, and most former Maoist fighters opted for integration into the Nepalese military or voluntary discharge, with a handful registering for rehabilitation.[13] Progress on the rehabilitation package for Maoist combatants went underway in 2011, and this process also concluded in 2013 with the reintegration of approximately 16,000 ex-combatants.[14]

Human Rights and Transitional Justice

Nepal has attempted to pass transitional justice legislation multiple times. In 2008, legislation to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was introduced, as well as legislation to establish the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP), though both bills were later withdrawn by the government.[15]

On 10 February 2015,[16] the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established, with Ganesh Dutta Bhatta as chairperson.[17]

In 2024, Nepal adopted a transitional justice law, officially titled "A Bill to Amend the Disappeared Persons’ Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act, 2071."[18] The bill has received criticism due to the lack of involvement of civil society or victims and their families in its development.[18]

References

  1. "Comprehensive Peace Accord Signed between Nepal Government And the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)" (PDF). United Nations. 22 November 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2023.
  2. "Maoists yet to return property of 30,000 families".
  3. "Forgotten in the peace deal". Archived from the original on 13 November 2007.
  4. "Properties of over 30,000 families still in Maoists hands: Report".
  5. "Govt is serious about integration of Maoist combatants: PM".
  6. Army Integration will invite civil war: Nepali Congress.
  7. "No integration of Militias into Nepal Army: Gacchedhar-Tharu".
  8. "No to Integration of Militias into Nepal Army: Defense Minister".
  9. "Ex-child soldiers bid farewell to Nepal Maoist camps". Reuters. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  10. Vinet, Fabienne. "NEPAL: Children Discharged From The Maoist Cantonments". Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  11. "NEPAL: Rehabilitation challenge for child soldiers".]
  12. "Rehabilitation of Nepali ex-combatants: What role for the private sector?". ReliefWeb. 26 September 2010.
  13. Joshi, Madhav; Quinn, Jason Michael; Regan, Patrick M (2015-07-01). "Annualized implementation data on comprehensive intrastate peace accords, 1989–2012". Journal of Peace Research. 52 (4): 551–562. doi:10.1177/0022343314567486. ISSN 0022-3433.
  14. Joshi, Madhav; Quinn, Jason Michael; Regan, Patrick M (2015-07-01). "Annualized implementation data on comprehensive intrastate peace accords, 1989–2012". Journal of Peace Research. 52 (4): 551–562. doi:10.1177/0022343314567486. ISSN 0022-3433.
  15. Thapa, Deepak; Ramsbotham, Alexandar, eds. (March 2017). "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: The Nepal Peace Process". Accord (26). Conciliation Resources.
  16. "Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Nepal". Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Nepal. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  17. "Message from Chairperson". Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Nepal. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  18. "Nepal: New Transitional Justice Law a Flawed Step Forward". Amnesty International. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2026-05-21.