Peace in Nepal turns out to be quite a relative concept. While talking to different stakeholders we found that almost everyone had a different understanding of peace. Many dished out concepts of peace as understood in the West, such as negative and positive peace, first introduced by Johan Galtung. However, we found a profound lack of understanding what peace and peace-building truly entails. For some it’s about the end of armed violence (negative peace), which seems to be sufficient in their eyes, while others understand the need to move beyond a ceasefire and start rebuilding relationships (positive peace); yet, from what we have seen their means to pursue this goal are hindered by those who find ceasefire and a blanket amnesty a good enough solution. Ceasefire is a good enough start, but it cannot stop there, and blanket amnesty will only exacerbate resentment. Ultimately, it seams the victims will have to accept whatever the government decides.

We heard from so many government officials how peace is reached and the transitional phase has begun. Their understanding of peace-building is tied to monetary compensation. One official in particular, form the Peace Commission told us how everyone is perfectly satisfied with the monetary compensation of 100 000 rupees, equivalent to $1250 for the loss of their loved ones. He said how no one is asking for the perpetrators to be punished for their crimes. They are happy, he said. I vividly remember what anger I felt when I lost my brother in the Yugoslav civil war. I hated all Serbs, all Chetnics, all Montenegrins. Lucky for me I was able to grieve without needing to see those people walking around my town with their heads held high. If that were the case, I don’t know if I would’ve been satisfied with just a few bucks.

Positive peace is based on healthy social relationships, spanning vertically and horizontally. How can anyone in Nepal expect this peace to occur if the people cant even express their grievances to one another without being politically persecuted for it. The Nepali people are asked to forget what happened and let it go for the sake of “peace”.     Peace for whom, I wonder?  The kind of peace politicians have in mind won’t hold for long!