Press Release

Date: September 08, 2007

SAAPE Statement on Bomb Blasts

SAAPE strongly condemns the space of brutal bomb blasts that have recently rocked many countries in South Asia, killing and wounding many innocent, unarmed, non-combatant civilians.

In particular we denounce and protest the three bomb blasts in Kathmandu, Nepal. This was the first time that such bomb attacks took place in Nepal. The timing of the bomb blasts is also significant. The people of Nepal are in the midst of a struggle to create a democratic republic and to come out completely from the yoke of monarchy. The path is neither easy nor simple. The people of Nepal are however resolutely confronting various problems and attempting to resolve them. The Maoist insurgents have also reposed their trust in the constitutional democratic process and joined the mainstream. Other various sections voice their demands in a vocal but democratic manner. Obviously all social and political violence has not yet been overcome. The efforts to resolve the various issues that inevitable crop up in a society and polity in transition however continue within the framework of democratic processes. Nepal also heads for elections to choose and convene a constituent assembly that will decide on the nature of the new state and formulate a new constitution for the country. It is generally expected that the new constitution will end monarchy and inaugurate a democratic secular republic. This is precisely what frightens the enemies of democracy in the country. They will leave no stone unturned to disturb the elections to the Constituent Assembly scheduled for November 2007 and if possible to scuttle them. It is possible that same forces are behind the bomb blasts. It is no wonder that they have not respect or concern for the lives of innocent citizens.

SAAPE expresses its solidarity with the people of Nepal and calls upon them to defeat the designs of these anti democratic forces. It wishes the people of Nepal all success in their endeavours to hold peaceful, free, and fair elections to the Constituent Assembly to give themselves a new democratic, secular, republican constitution.

The terrorist actions in the region – in the various countries that are affected by such incidents (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the main) – also ultimately go against the democratic processes and seek to undermine them. These are not mass actions, and are not directed against any specific enemies – however they are perceived. They attack common, unarmed, non-combatant, civilian citizens often hailing from the toiling masses. They not only kill and maim civilians but create obstacles for democracy. They give states excuses to curb democratic rights of people to organise, express, and struggle. They allow the states to bring in draconian laws and to acquire ‘exceptional’ forms overtly or covertly. The terrorists only create instability, a fear psychosis, and increased undemocratic militarisation. They ultimately act only against the interest of the toiling people of these countries.

Democracy is essential for the region. The people can only express themselves and act resolutely to resolve the myriad problems facing each country only when a full and functioning democracy exists. They can only confront the issue of poverty and take immediate steps to eradicate it when peace, justice, and democracy exist. The actions of the terrorists and the responses of the states precisely prevent peace, justice, and democracy.

SAAPE is therefore deeply concerned about the situation and condemns the terror actions that target innocent citizens and attack democracy in the strongest and clearest terms.

Vikas Adhyayan Kendra

Regional Thematic Focal Organisation – Governance and Democracy