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Read statement in Nepali (PDF)

Contact: 
In Atlanta: Deborah Hakes, 404-420-5124
In Kathmandu: Sarah Levit-Shore, +977 1 444-5055/1446

The Carter Center commends the significant progress that Nepal has made on the path to peace and stability during the last three years, but notes with concern that the breakdown in consensus politics following the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, as well as the delay in implementing previous commitments, threatens to derail the progress made thus far.

"In the interest of Nepali citizens, I encourage all political actors to build on the historic achievements of the past few years and work together in good faith," said former U.S. President and Carter Center Co-Founder Jimmy Carter. "This is essential for Nepal to overcome the challenges that undermine progress toward a genuine and lasting peace and the drafting of a democratic and inclusive constitution."

In June 2009, The Carter Center deployed 15 long-term observers representing nine different nationalities to Nepal's five development regions to identify the obstacles and opportunities to advancing the peace and constitution drafting processes. The Center's observers will meet with government officials, political actors, members of the international community, civil society representatives, members of the media, and ordinary citizens. The Center will issue regular statements that will include recommendations based on the findings of observers.

The Carter Center has been actively engaged in Nepal since 2003 and, most recently, conducted a long term international election observation mission for the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. The Center has now been invited to continue its international observation presence in Nepal, focusing on the peace process and constitution drafting at the local, regional, and national levels.

"Nepal's political leaders have shown a remarkable capacity to find common ground during difficult times," said Dr. David Pottie, associate director of the Democracy Program at The Carter Center, who recently completed an assessment mission to Nepal. "Now, more than one year after the Constituent Assembly election, it is my hope that all parties can come together to refresh their commitments and take the peace process forward, recognizing that there is no better alternative than the path that they have set out upon together."

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The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production.

Learn more about the Carter Center's work in Nepal >>

April 13, 2009:  Carter Center Observers Note Largely Peaceful By-Election Day, Progress in Electoral Conduct, Some Areas >

November 10, 2008: Final Report on Observing Nepal's 2008 Constituent Assembly Election (PDF) >

May 30, 2008:  The Carter Center Congratulates Nepal's New Constituent Assembly >
 
April 12, 2008: Nepal Constituent Assembly Election - Preliminary Statement by The Carter Center >

April 1, 2008:  Jimmy Carter to Lead Delegation to Observe Nepal's April 10 Elections >