भिसा फेसिलितेसन सर्विसेस (भिएफ़एस) ग्लोबल विरुद्ध स्विट्जरल्याण्ड सरकारसंग गरिएको उजुरीको जवाफमा भिएफ़एसले ९ डिसेम्बरमा स्विस सरकारलाई काठमाडौंको पर्यटकीय क्षेत्र ठमेलमा रहेको छाया सेन्टरमा रहेको आफ्नो कार्यालयको भाडा करार सम्झौता नवीकरण नगर्ने र यथाशक्य छिट्टै छाया सेन्टरको परिसरबाट आफ्नो कार्यलय स्थानान्तरण गर्ने निर्णय गरेको लिखित रूपमा जानकारी गराएको छ।
more “भिएफ़एस ग्लोबल यथाशक्य छिट्टै छायाँ सेन्टरबाट सर्ने” In response to a specific instance (complaint) filed with the National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP) of Switzerland under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct against the Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global, the VFS on 9 December has reportedly informed the Swiss NCP in written that it has decided not to extend the lease and to relocate as soon as possible from the premises at the Chhaya Center business complex in Kathmandu’s tourist district of Thamel.
more “VFS Global decides “to relocate from the premises at the Chhaya Center [in Kathmandu] as soon as feasible”” On 25 August 2024, two anonymous Nepalese organisations filed a complaint against Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global with the National Contact Point (NCP) for Responsible Business Conduct within the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs of the Government of Switzerland. The complaint concerns the activities of VFS Global in Kathmandu, Nepal, related to its involvement with the Chhaya Center business complex (also known as Chhaya Devi Complex) in violation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
more “Complaint filed against VFS Global regarding its involvement with Chhaya Center in Kathmandu with the Swiss government”
GENEVA (14 May 2024) – UN experts* today expressed concern over reports of ongoing retaliations against human rights defenders because of their opposition to the development of the Chhaya Center retail and entertainment complex in Nepal.
Retaliatory acts against human rights defenders are “deplorable and unacceptable”, the experts said. “The targeting of human rights defenders for the sole exercise of their right to freedom of opinion and expression violates international human rights norms.”
more “NEWS RELEASE – Nepal: Retaliations against human rights defenders over Chhaya Center business complex ‘deplorable’, say UN experts”Tourism industry plays and can further play a significant role for Nepal’s economy and prosperity, including in terms of environmental conservation. However, the industry has often entrenched marginalization of Indigenous Peoples in the country and resulted in violations of their rights, including in the context of establishment of protected areas, tourism establishments and businesses as well as representation of Indigenous image.
On many occasions, Indigenous Peoples have suffered loss of traditional lands and other violations of their rights in favor of tourism projects, which directly affects their lives and livelihoods. Particularly relevant is the establishment of protected areas, which have been mostly created by displacing Indigenous communities from their lands and resources. Concerningly, Indigenous communities have even been subjected to wide range of abuses, including killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, mistreatment, harassment as well as sexual violence against women at the hands of army, forest rangers and others in the context protected areas set up for environmental conservation and tourism.
Tourism establishments and business have also encroached upon lands and sacred sites of Indigenous communities in various parts of Nepal. Indigenous defenders and activists have faced retaliations and reprisals for raising their voices against violations of their rights and those of their communities in the context of such tourism undertakings, including at the hands of businesses.
more “Case Study: Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Nepal” The Campaign to Restore Archaeological Kamalpokhari of Thamel on Monday filed a complaint against Marriott International regarding its involvement with Chhaya Center in Kathmandu with the US National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines within the US Department of State. The Campaign, in the complaint, denounced the abuses to which Marriott International, a leader in the tourism and accommodation sector worldwide, is connected in violation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises through its franchise Aloft Kathmandu Thamel located in the Chhaya Center (also known as Chhaya Devi Complex). The Complex is constructed on communal Guthi (trust) lands – traditionally holding a holy pond and its surrounding structures and lands – of the local indigenous Pradhan Newars following decades of encroachment and unlawful acquisition of those lands.
more “Complaint filed against Marriott International regarding its involvement with Chhaya Center in Kathmandu with the United States government”Read below the CEMSOJ’s submission during the public consultation for the targeted update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The submission is based on CEMSOJ’s experience of using, or challenges thereto, the Guidelines while supporting a land rights advocacy campaign struggle to restore a historical pond and surrounding indigenous lands encroached by a recently built mega business complex called Chhaya Center that houses a local franchise of Marriott International in the tourist district of Kathmandu in Nepal. For more information about the campaign, see https://cemsoj.wordpress.com/tag/chhaya-center/.
more “CEMSOJ’s comments for the update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises”Kathmandu, 11 October 2021
The Campaign to restore archaeological Kamal Pokhari in Thamel has condemned the “inadequate, irresponsible and false” reply provided by the Government of Nepal in response to the joint letter sent by four UN mechanisms to the Government concerning violations of the rights of indigenous Newars, including to their lands and resources and culture, due to construction of mega business complex Chhaya Center in Kathmandu.
As per the Campaign, the violations have occurred because a private Nepali company Chhaya Devi Complex Pvt. Ltd has constructed Chhaya Center, “the biggest business complex in Nepal’s history” after unlawfully acquiring the communal trust lands – traditionally holding a holy pond and its surroundings structures and areas – of the indigenous Pradhan Newar community in Kathmandu’s tourist district of Thamel. Despite local opposition and protests, including by human rights and cultural activists, the business complex officially opened in 2018 currently houses 200 retail stores, including high-end brand outlets, multiplex theatres, corporate offices, banquet and conference halls, casino, discotheque, etc., as well as a five-star hotel Aloft Kathmandu Thamel of the Marriott International, Inc.
more “Campaign to restore archaeological Kamal Pokhari in Thamel condemns Nepal government’s “irresponsible and false” reply to the UN mechanisms regarding rights infringed due to construction of Chhaya Center”6 October 2021, Manthali/Kathmandu
Indigenous Majhi communities of Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts in eastern Nepal have demanded cancellation of Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project stating that the Project will result in large scale displacement of the Majhi communities and other locals and even wipe out the identity and existence of the Majhi people from their ancestral lands.
On Thursday (30 September), hundreds of Majhis from various villages of Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts clad in their indigenous attire took out a protest rally playing their traditional drums and musical instruments in Manthali – the district headquarter of Ramechhap. They carried boat- and fish-shaped placards and chanted slogans calling for, among others, annulment of the Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project, respect for their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and creation of an autonomous Majhi protected region. The Majhis led by the Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project Joint Struggle Committee also submitted their letter demanding cancellation of the Project to the Chief District Officer of Ramechhap, Dipak Kumar Pahadi, and the Mayor of Manthali Municipality, Ramesh Kumar Basnet. They assured the Majhi representatives that the local authorities were serious about their demand and that it will be conveyed to the concerned national authorities. Following submission of the demand letter, the rally converged into a corner assembly in Manthali town center, whereby the Majhi communities’ representatives and Committee officials relayed their concerns and demand.
more “Nepal’s indigenous Majhi communities demand cancellation of Sunkoshi-2 Hydropower Project”१ डिसेम्बर २०२०, काठमाडौँ
काठमाडौं- तराई/मधेस द्रुतमार्ग (फास्ट ट्र्याक) लगायत खोकना र बुंगमतिमा निर्माणाधीन वा प्रस्तावित विभिन्न पूर्वाधार विकास तथा सहरीकरणका परियोजनाबाट प्रभावित ती ऐतिहासिक बस्तीका आदिवासी नेवार समुदायले जेनेभास्थित संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघका दुई विज्ञहरूलाई ती परियोजनाले समुदाय विस्थापित हुने गम्भीर खतरा रहेको, तिनको भुमि र स्रोतसाधन माथिको अधिकार र सांस्कृतिक अधिकार उल्लङ्घन भएको र अन्य प्रतिकूल असर पार्ने भएकोले प्रभावित समुदायका अधिकार रक्षा गर्न तुरुन्त कदम चाल्न आग्रह गरेका छन्।
प्रभावित समुदायको दुई प्रतिनिधि समूहहरु (जनसरोकार समिति खोकना र बुंगमती) ले आदिवासी जनजातिका अधिकार र सांस्कृतिक अधिकारको क्षेत्रका संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघका विशेष समाधिक्षक (Special Rapporteurs) हरुलाई आज पठाइएका पत्रमा ती समाधिक्षकहरुलाई फास्ट ट्र्याकलगायतका परियोजनाबाट प्रभावित आदिवासी जनजातिका भुमि, स्रोतसाधन, पवित्रस्थल र संस्कृतिको अधिकार संरक्षण र प्रवर्द्धन गर्न नेपाल सरकारलाई संयुक्तरुपमा पत्राचार गर्न अनुरोध गरिएको छ। फास्ट ट्र्याकबाहेक बागमती कोरीडोर, बाहिरी चक्रपथ, थानकोट-भक्तपुर प्रसारण लाइन, काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा प्रस्तावित चारवटामध्येको एक ‘स्मार्ट सिटी’ लगायत लगायतका परियोजनाले आदिवासी नेवार समुदायका पूरै ऐतिहासिक बस्ती विस्थापित हुने पत्रमा भनिएको छ। तीमध्ये विभिन्न परियोजनालाई एशियाली विकास बैंकले प्रत्यक्ष वा अप्रत्यक्ष रूपमा सहयोग गरेको छ।
जनसरोकार समिति खोकना र बुंगमतीले विशेष समाधिक्षकहरुलाई सरकारलाई निम्न कदम चाल्न पत्राचार गर्न अनुरोध गरेका छन् :
यसअघि प्रभावित समुदायहरूले काठमाडौंमा रहेका अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठन (आईएलओ), युनेस्को र संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघका कार्यालयहरूलाई पनि यस्तै पत्र पठाएका थिए। ती कार्यालयका प्रतिनिधिहरूले समुदायका सरोकार र मागहरु बुझ्न खोकना र बुंगमतीको स्थलगत भ्रमण पनि गरेका थिए। यद्यपि सरकारले प्रभावित समुदायहरूसँग अर्थपूर्ण वार्ता गर्न ती कार्यालयहरूले सहजीकरण गरिदिन सक्ने भनी गरेको पत्राचारको सरकारले सकारात्मक प्रतिक्रिया दिएको छैन।
वर्षौंदेखि, खोकाना र बुंगामतीका स्थानीयहरूले ती विभिन्न परियोजनाहरूको विरोधमा विभिन्न भेला, जुलुस, प्रदर्शन लगायतका कार्यक्रमहरु आयोजना गर्दै आएका छन्। ती प्रदर्शनहरुको प्रतिक्रियामा प्रहरी प्राय क्रूर दमनको साथ प्रस्तुत भएका छन्। असारमा फास्ट ट्र्याकको प्रस्तावित जिरो प्वाइन्ट खोकनाको खुदोलमा आयोजित “धान रोपाई” विरोध कार्यक्रममा प्रहरीले हस्तक्षेप गर्दा प्रदर्शनकारी र प्रहरीबीच झडप भएको थियो। प्रहरीले अश्रुग्याँस प्रहार गरी लाठीचार्ज गर्दा एक दर्जनभन्दा बढी प्रदर्शनकारीहरू र चार प्रहरी पनि घाइते भएका थिए। हालसालै, लगभग दैनिकजसो स्थानीयहरूलाई कोभिड-१९ को महामारीमा सर्वसाधारणलाई घरभित्रै बस्न प्रतिबन्धात्मक आदेश दिई प्रभावित समुदायको निजी तथा गुठी जग्गाहरूमा फास्ट ट्र्याक निर्माण गर्न खटाइएका ठेकेदारहरूसँग निर्माणस्थलमा चर्को विवाद बहस गरिरहनु परेको छ।
माघमा, खोकना र बुंगमतीका पचास भन्दा बढी प्रभावित स्थानीय र समुदायका प्रतिनिधिहरूले तिनका ऐतिहासिक बस्ती र त्यहाँका समुदायहरूको संरक्षणको लागि फास्ट ट्र्याक लगायतका विभिन्न “विकास” परियोजनाहरूको बिरूद्ध नेपालको सर्वोच्च अदालतमा रिट निवेदन दिएका थिए। तर, फास्ट ट्र्याकको निर्माण निरन्तर प्रगति भइरहेको छ भने अदालतले उक्त निवेदनमा सुनुवाई पटक-पटक स्थगित गरिरहेको छ। विशेष समाधिक्षकहरूलाई पठाइएका पत्रमा प्रभावित समुदायले नेपाल पक्ष राष्ट्र रहेको अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय श्रम संगठनको आदिवासी जनजाती सम्बन्धि महासन्धि १६९ (ILO C169) तथा आदिवासी जनजातिको अधिकार सम्बन्धी संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघीय घोषणापत्रलगायत विभिन्न अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय र राष्ट्रिय कानुनमा प्रत्याभूत उनीहरूको अधिकारको हनन भएको जानकारी गराएका छन्।
थप जानकारीको लागि विशेष समाधिक्षकहरूलाई बुझाइएका पत्रहरुको अनुसूची (अंग्रेजीमा) पढ्न यहाँ क्लिक गर्नुहोस्।
थप विवरण वा सोधपुछका लागि जनसरोकार समिति खोकनालाई khokanajanasarokarsamiti@gmail.com मा सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्।