Workers Party welcomes Maoist electoral success in Nepal

The Workers Party (NZ) welcomes the victory of the Maoistsin theNepalese elections. Jared Phillips, a Workers Party activistwhospent four weeks in the Red Zones of Nepal in 2003, meetingwithactivists and leaders of the Maoist movement and witnessingfirst-hand the progressive reforms being implemented in the ruralareasled by the Maoists, says the election victory is “a blowagainstunder-development, poverty, and repression, and is a strideforwardfor liberation everywhere.”“Nepal has been one of the most chronicallyunder-developedcountries in the world and the only serious challenge tothis inrecent years has come from the Maoists,” said Phillips.“Bylaunching people’s war in rural areas, they began atransformationof much of the countryside, improving literacy andinfrastructure,carrying out land reforms that gave rights to the peasantryandDalits (untouchables) , and revolutionising the position ofwomen aswell as supporting the rights of ethnic minorities.”“The Maoist victory also shows that we don’t have toaccept the ideathat there is no alternative to market-dominated capitalism,inwhich the majority of people on the planet are denied basicrightsand basic living standards. There is also a lesson here forworkersin New Zealand – boldness in fighting for liberation paysoff,”concluded Phillips. The Workers Party (NZ) intends to standon theparty list this election year.The Auckland branch of the Workers Party will be holding aQ&Asession and general discussion on the peoples’ movement inNepal onSaturday April 19, 12 noon, at Trades Hall (first floorupstairs),147 Great North Road. Final vote-counting in Nepal should becompleted by this time. All interested people and media arewelcome.Jared Phillips is available for interview; Phone 0294949863or emailjared@unite. org.nz
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