US removes Nepal's Maoists from its terrorist list

After 9 years, the Unites States has removed the UCPN (Maoist) from its world-wide terrorist organisations list, saying that the party has demonstrated a credible commitment to pursuing the peace and reconciliation process in Nepal.

"The Department of State has revoked the designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its aliases as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224, and as a “terrorist organization” from the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL) under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)," reads a statement issued by the US government in Washington D.C on Thursday.

The Maoist party has been elected as the head of Nepal’s coalition government, has taken steps to dismantle its apparatus for the conduct of terrorist operations, and has demonstrated a credible commitment to pursuing the peace and reconciliation process in Nepal, the US State Department said while putting forth the reasons that led to removal of UCPN (M) from its terrorist organisation list.

"After a thorough review, the Department has determined that the CPN (Maoist) is no longer engaged in terrorist activity that threatens the security of U.S. nationals or U.S. foreign policy," according to the statement.

The Department said that the delisting does not seek to overlook or forget the party’s violent past, but rather looks ahead towards the party’s continued engagement in a peaceful, democratic political dialogue in Nepal.

“This delisting reflects the United States’ resolve to keep our terrorism sanctions current and demonstrates that a group need not stay on a terrorist list forever should it demonstrate a credible commitment to pursuing peace and reconciliation,” the statement added. nepalnews.com