Combatants to Civilians by D.B. Subedi

Author:D.B. Subedi
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK, London

Notion of Disqualified Combatants and (Non)Participation in the UNIRP

As mentioned earlier, VMLRs were initially classified by the UNMIN as “disqualified” combatants. The literal translation of “disqualified” in the Nepali language is ayogya, which has several negative connotations and inferences in Nepali society. For instance, to be ayogya means, among other things, to be virtually useless, redundant, unfit or incapable of anything good. Without knowing the implicit and explicit negative connotations of the term, the UNMIN had proved culturally and socially insensitive and naïve in categorising the ex-combatants as “disqualified” and this ultimately created an unfavourable operational environment for the UNIRP .

The notion of “disqualified” carried stigma, humiliation and a feeling of rejection amongst the VMLRs . Use of the term was one of a few reasons why many VMLRs could not return to their villages and families. An ex-combatant in Dhangadi said, “being called ‘disqualified’ is humiliating and carries a lot of social stigma . I cannot go to my village because people call me ‘disqualified’; it hurts me badly”.15 The notion of “disqualified” combatants, therefore, generated the VMLRs ’ negative perception and narratives towards the UNIRP . As a consequence, while many VMLRs rejected the UNIRP package, others became dubious about the UNIRP ’s credibility to support them. In both circumstances, the UNIRP initially experienced the VMLRs ’ rejection and non-participation in the programme, although participation in the programme increased over the time.

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