SOME MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF YOUTH NETWORK
SPECIAL CAMPAIGN ON ARMS TRADE TREATY
Everyday 1,000 people are killed with the use of small arms. Amnesty International (AI), OXFAM and International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) believe that this human tragedy can be minimized if world governments and other responsible are committed to it. These organizations have been campaigning to bring into force an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) as part of global campaign on Control Arms. On the same pretext activists collected solidarity signatures of the parliamentarians on the Parliamentarians Declaration which was later submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
In this context AI Nepal, its Groups and Youth Network hold various events to get parliamentarian declaration signed by the parliamentarians. Similarly, various other activities taken place to put pressure government and also to raise awareness among people.
Kathmandu Youth Network
In Nepal a taskforce on campaign on ATT has been formed of which senior human rights defender (who is AI Nepal’s founder too) Nutan Thapaliya is the coordinator and Bhawani Prasad Kharel, General Secretary of National Human Rights Foundation (who is convener of AI Nepal Group-3 too) is the General Secretary. Kathmandu Youth Network formed under AI Nepal Group-3 is the member of the task-force.
The taskforce held a consultation meeting with the parliamentarians to discuss the draft of the solidarity message to be sent to the Secretary General of the UN.
The taskforce met with the leaders of different political parties, leaders of the parliamentarian committees and major whips, speaker and members of the parliament to inform them on the campaign. The taskforce asked the partly leaders to request parliament members from their party to sign on the parliamentarians’ declaration. During those meetings Speaker of the Parliament Subash Chandra Newang, president of Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party Narayanman Bijukchhe, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey of Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), Tek Bahadur Chokhyal of Nepali Congress (Democratic), parliamentarian of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Suresh Ale Magar, and parliamentarian leader of Janamorcha Nepal Lilamani Pokharel expressed themselves positively towards the campaign. The taskforce also met General Secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal who committed his full support and cooperation to the campaign.
Similarly, An interaction programme was organized by the Task Force on ATT in Kathmandu on the role of the parliamentarians in the formation of an Arms Trade Treaty. General Secretary of CPN-UML and the party’s parliamentarian leader Madhav Kumar Nepal was the chief guest of the interaction. On the same occasion, parliamentarians from different political parties signed the Parliamentarians’ Declaration on Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
Signing the Declaration were CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, parliamentarians of Nepali Congress (NC) Harihar Dahal, Romi Gauchan Thakali and gangadhar Lamsal, leaders of Nepali Congress Democratic Dr. Minendra Rijal, Homnath Dahal and Uma Adhikari, president of Samyukta Janamorcha Nandakumar Prasai, and Ganesh Shah, UML leaders Asthalakshmi Shakya, Raghuji Panta, Gorakh Bahadur Bogati, Fatik Bahadur Thapa, Shanta Shrestha, and secretary of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal Janakraj Sharma.
Former member of National Human Rights Commission of Nepal Sushil Pyakurel, Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakota, president of INHURED International, coordinator of the taskforce Nutan Thapaliya, Subodh Raj Pyakurel, president of INSEC, Bhawani Prasad Kharel of National Human Rights Foundation, and Kanchan Kharel of AI Nepal Kathmandu Youth Network also expressed their views during the interaction.
Kakarvitta
AI Nepal Group 70 and 87 and AI Youth Network jointly organized a signature collection campaign on 25 July 2007 to pressurize national government to support the United Nations process to build Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). AI Nepal membership Appeal Committee’s coordinator Hem Kumar Khadka, Maya Prasai convener of Gorup 70, Tulsi Ram Poudel convener of group 87, and Ashok Rai of Youth Network spoke about the objectives of the control arms campaign of AI. Different professionals and general public signed the postcards in support of the ATT.
Similarly, Group 22 and 86 organized a letter writing event in Dhulabari. During the event AI Nepal Membership Appeal Committee’s coordinator Hem Kumar Khadka, former central member Dharmananda Khanal, convener of Group 22 Kusum Bhattarai urged the public to support the AI’s campaign to establish an international instrument to control arms.
SAFE SCHOOLS: EVERY GIRL’S RIGHT
All over the world girls face violence as they pursue their education. Some suffer long term harm to their mental and physical health. Many more go to school in fear. The result is that countless girls are kept out of school, drop out of school or do not participate fully in school. Their human rights – rights to freedom from violence, to equality and to education – are violated.
Amnesty International has launched Stop Violence against Women campaign since 2004 globally. As unsafe schools are one of the major violence against women and girls, AI has decided to launch a special 3 years long campaign on "Safe Schools: Every Girl’s Right" from March 2008.
Kathmandu Youth Network organizes symposium
On the occasion of the 59 th international human rights day a symposium was organized on "Safe schools: Every Girl’s Right" at local Asian Public School’s premises on 9 th December 2007. The programme was hosted by AI Nepal’s Kathmandu Youth Network.
School children sang a national song at the beginning of the programme. Speaking at the programme, human rights activist shed light on different aspects of children rights. Popular human rights activist Krishna Pahadi said that there should be an end in the punishment based teaching system. He further said that education should be cheap and accessible to all and the government should invest in education and not in weapons.
Former member of National Human Rights Commission Prof. Kapil Shrestha said that human rights are inborn rights and are not received in charity. He expressed concern that still girls face discrimination and violence in society and schools and stressed on the need to protect their rights.
Other speakers of the symposium Chair of AI Nepal Dhruba Karki, coordinator of Human Rights Joint Forum Charan Prasai, and convener of AI Nepal Group 3 Bhawani Prasad Kharel highlighted on the role of the state and civil society organization to protect the rights of women and girls including school children. Khadga Mainali, principal of Asian Public School, coordinator of AI Kathmandu Youth Network Kanchan Kharel also spoke on the programme. Joint coordinator of the Network Ruku Basnet gave her welcome speech while Rojesh Ghimire conducted the programme.
Around 300 people including students, teachers, parents, journalist and human rights activists attended the programme. Different posters related to children rights were exhibited at the programme hall.
Talk program by Kakarvitta Youth Network.
AI Nepal Group 70 Kakarvitta in joint effort of Kakarvitta Youth Netwrok organized a talk program on "Safe Schools: Every Girl’s Right" on 11 December 2007. Speakers of the programme were coordinator of AI Nepal Membership Appeal Committee Hem Kumar Khadka, campus chief of Kakarvitta campus Yaggaraj Prasai, Laxmi Prasad Upreti of Human Rights and Peace Society, Renu Dahal, Nawaraj Upreti and Bhumika Subba.
Students and teachers of six different schools including local AI members were also present in the interaction. Coordinator of the Group Maya Prasai presided the programme.
In the meantime, the Group also distributed leaflets and posters related to "Safe Schools: Every Girl’s Right" in different six schools of Kakarvitta.
59TH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY OBSERVED
In December 10, 1948, United Nations enacted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This was a historic step forward to establish the basic principles and standards of human rights. The same day is observed as international human rights days through the world.
Amnesty International (AI) works to protect and promote human rights worldwide based on the principles enshrined in the UDHR. AI Nepal's Youth Network organized various programmes worldwide to mark the 59 th international human rights day.
Light ignition by Kathmandu youth network.
To mark the international human rights day AI Nepal Group-3, Kathmandu, AI Kathmandu Youth Network, Human Rights Home and National Human Rights Foundation jointly organized a light ignition event to wish a human rights friendly world. Present during the event were chair of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedarnath Upadhaya, representative of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) Richard Benet, former member of NHRC Prof. Kapil Shrestha, founder of AI Nepal Nutan Thapaliya, president of National Election Monitoring Committee and former chief election commissioner Surya Prasad Shrestha, president of Civil Society for Peace and Development Dr. Sundarmani Dixit, founder of Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) Krishna Pahadi, and president of HURPES Purusottom Dahal. Also present were AI members, lawyers, journalists and other civil society members during the program. Approximately 700 people joined the event according to Bhawani Prasad Kharel, convener of the host Group.
Rally by Damak Youth Network
Youth Network of AI Nepal in Damak and Good Governance Forum jointly organized a rally on 10 December 2007 to mark the 59 th international human rights day. The rally went through the different parts carrying banners and play cards urging to respect human rights. The rally concluded as corner meeting at local Ganatantra Chowk. Politicians, students, teachers, human rights activist and general public had joined the rally according to the organizing Youth Network.
Cricket tournament by Birgunj Youth Network
At a different event, a friendly cricket match was organized between AI local youth network and youth circle of Nepal Red Cross in Birgunj on 12 December on the occasion of 59 th Human Rights Day. The game was inaugurated by Suresh Upadhaya while AI Nepal Board Member Deepak Rajbhandari distributed certificates to the participants of the game.
Rally in Surkhet by Kankrebihar Youth Netwrok
AI Nepal Group 69 and AI Youth Network Surkhet jointy organized a rally on 10 December 2007 to mark the international human rights day. The rally marched along different parts of the town and finally concluded as a corner meeting.
Speakers of the corner meeting expressed their commitments to human rights promotion. Speakers of the programme were Bishnu Prasad Khanal, Govinda Subedi of Human Rights Organization (HURON), Pama Prasad Thani of Appellate Bar Unit, Bharati Shah, Liladhar Shah and Devendra Sejuwal and Bhanu Bhakta Bharati.
EIGHTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CHILD RIGHTS DAY
More than thousand million children are deprived of school while three hundred thousand children are forced to face violence as child soldiers. In developing countries more than 46 percent children are deprived of primary education. Likewise hundred million children die of diseases that could have been easily prevented. Half of the deaths are caused due to malnutrition and lack of safe drinking water. To protect children from these risks, the General Assembly of the United Nations enacted a convention on the rights of the child on 20 November 1989. The same date is observed as the international child rights day. Amnesty International that works for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide has been observing the intentional child rights day with great importance. AI Nepal and its Groups and Youth Networks organized several events to observe the day.
Interaction in Panchthar by Pheden Youth Network
Panchthar Youth Network of AI Nepal organized an interaction on children rights on the occasion of international children rights day on 20 November 2007. Speakers in the interaction included board member of AI Nepal Chhabi Banskota, convener of local AI Group Yadunath Khanal, district president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Lab Dev Dhungana, Madhu Jabegu, and Damanta Banskota. Speakers of the interaction highlighted the need to uphold the rights of children by the government and the family. At a different event, a meeting of the youth network members elected Jyoti Neupane and Debendra Rijal as the coordinator and joint coordinator of the network. It is mandatory for the network to elect at least one female youth in the either of the two positions. The meeting has also decided to name the network as "AI Nepal Feden Youth Network".
47 th AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DAY
Amnesty International founded on May 28, 1961 by British Lawyer Peter Benenson in Britain has completed 47 years this May 28. Honoured with the Nobel Peace Prizein 1977 and the United Nations Human Rights Prize in 1978 Amnesty International has also received many other awards in evaluation of its work in the human rights sector. It is presently established as one of the biggest organization working for the protection and promotion of human rights at the international level. According to latest information, it has more than 2.2 million members, supporters and well-wishers in more than 150 countries and territories across the globe. It has recognized National Sections in 49 different countries including Nepal. AI Nepal marked the 47 th anniversary this year to release AI’s Annual Report while news reports have also been received of a variety of programs organized by AI Nepal groups and youth network across the country.
Interaction in Panchthar by Pheden Youth Netwrok
AI Nepal Pheden Youth Network, Paanchthar, Phidim organized a talk program to mark Amnesty International’s Founding Day on May 28, 2008. Chief Guest AI Nepal’s Central Member Chabbi Baskota shed light on various aspects of Amnesty International and its work and called upon all to be committed to protection of human rights. President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Paanchthar, Lekhnath Khatiwada, President of Good Governance District Coordination Committee, Ram Prasad Baskota, Advocate and President of Human Rights and Mediation Centre, Khagendra Baskota, Member of Civil Rights Monitoring Committee, Punya Dulal expressed their views. Secretary of Women’s Welfare Society, Paanchthar, Kamala Budathoki, AI Group-45 and Youth Network members were present at the program. Matters relating to the establishment of Amnesty International, protection and promotion of human rights and the role of youths in Paanchthar were discussed. Prakash Khatiwada of Youth Network, Prakash Upreti and Convenor Jyoti Neupane expressed their views.
Beijing Olympic Campaign
APPEAL TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO FULFILL THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEMENTS
Olympics is being held in Beijing, the capital of China coming August. The host city for the 2008 summer Olympics was selected in 2001 and while bidding for the Olympics, China had pledged to improve its human rights situation before the Olympics. However, the commitments have not been fulfilled and as a result, Amnesty International has been carrying out the ‘Beijing Olympic Campaign at the international level in order to pressurize the Chinese Government to abide by its commitments of bringing positive changes to the situation of human rights in the country.
As part of the campaign, Amnesty International has focused on abolition of death penalty, putting an end to trend of keeping citizens under illegal custody, on the security of human rights defenders and to putting an end to the prohibition in the media sectors including internet. Amnesty International’s Nepal Chapter has also been carrying out various activities under the campaign. In this connection, news reports have been received of various AI Groups collecting signatures on the postcards prepared under the campaign.
For the signature collection, Amnesty International Nepal has developed seven types of post cards including six on prisoners of conscience and on related to a human rights defender. More than 40 AI Nepal Groups and Youth Netwroks are collecting signatures on the postcards prepared under the Global Activism Week of the Beijing Olympic Campaign. AI Nepal Chapter has targeted to collect 40,000 signatures in course of the entire campaign.
Kakrebihar Youth Network, Surkhet
Calling for the release of Prisoners of Conscience in China under the Beijing Olympic Campaign, the Kakrebihar Youth Network under AI Nepal organized a signature collection program on May 28, 2008. Some 500 people took part in the signature collection program. Speaking at the program, Coordinator of the Network, Devendra Sejuwal expressed the hope that every collected signature would help create a big pressure for the release of Prisoners of Conscience in China. The program was also supported by AI Nepal Group-69.
Bhaktapur Youth Network, Bhaktapur
The Bhaktapur Youth Network under AI Nepal on May 20, 2008 organized the signature collection program as part of the Beijing Olympic Campaign to also mark the Buddha Jayanti. At the program held at the renowned Surya Binayak temple of Bhaktapur, AI members, local residents, devotees and representatives of various organizations signed the postcards to express their solidarity with the campaign.
Medical Youth Network, Dharan
The Medical Youth Network, comprising students of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, organized a signature collection program under the Beijing Olympic Campaign on June 21, 2008. More than 1,000 signatures were collection on the occasion, calling for an end to the provision of death penalty in China and fulfillment of the commitments made for human rights protection by China before the world. A signifincant number of Medical science students and health workers were present on the occasion, Convenor of the Network, Madan Krishna Mandal said.
Football as a means to highlight the need of an International Treaty for effective arms control
Everday more than 1,000 people die of small arms around the world. As a result, in the context of the uncontrolled production, sales and transfer of such weapons posing serious threat to the Society and increasing rate of unnatural deaths, a need has been felt for an effective international law to stop such acts.
Amnesty International, Oxfam and International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) have been carrying out the control arms campaign since October 2003 calling for among others the adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). As a result in end of 2006, the United Nations decided to formulate an international treaty on arms control and is presently working on it. And, AI, Oxfam and IANSA have been campaigning for an effective arms trade treaty.
In this context, symbolic football match was played with the message that as in a football game adherence to effective rules was also essential for arms control. The worldwide popularity of football was also used to raise public awareness on the need to control small arms.
Local youth networks and AI groups under AI Nepal also supported organizing symbolic football match in Jawalakhel of Kathmandu valley, Janakpur and Itahari.
Youth Networks in Kathmandu Valley
A symbolic football match was held at the Jawalakhel Football Grounds, Lalitpur on the 27 th of June 2008 among the youth members of Amnesty International Nepal.
The football match was organized with the objective of generating awareness especially among the youths about the Control Arms Campaign and the Arms Trade Treaty Parliamentarian Declaration Action launched by Amnesty International globally. Members of the Everest Youth Network and Kathmandu Youth Network faced their counterparts from the Miteri Youth Network, Kathmandu and the Bhaktapur Youth Network in the friendly.
The match was held in presence of former Nepali national footballer and current Referee Instructor, Sriram Ranjitkar, who was the Chief Guest for the program.
The participating team players wore jersey in yellow and black with slogans calling for an end to the abuse of small arms. Members of various AI, Nepal Groups in the Valley, the general public and other enthusiasts watched the football match organized by AI Nepal Section and hosted by AI Nepal Group-3, Kathmandu. AI members on the occasion also carried flags and banners calling for support to control the misuse of small arms.
Earlier, Bhola Bhattarai, Program Officer, AI Nepal briefed the participating youths about the Control Arms Campaign and pointed out their significant role in promoting the Campaign and its objectives.
Chief Guest, Mr Ranjitkar gave away trophy to the winning team and letters of appreciation to the youths who took part in the football match.
A similar symbolic match was also held in Janakpur on the same day between local journalists and human rights defenders. Similarly, another match was held in Ithari among the youth network members of Dharan, Ithari, Duhabi and Inaruwa.
As part of a two-week long promotion program, AI Nepal is organizing similar events in eight different locations across the country. Altogether 23 Youth Networks having an average 50 members each are the focus of the program.
This is one among the many activities that AI Nepal has been carrying in promoting the Arms Control Campaign that began in 2003.
In 2007, AI Nepal collected commitments from 57 Members of Parliament in Nepal on the Parliamentary Declaration. It may be noted that AI Nepal is committed to have the signatures of more than 100 Nepali parliamentarians on the Declaration. The Parliamentarians’ Declaration calls on all governments to move quickly towards the negotiation of a tough Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that will prevent irresponsible arms transfers and hold governments to their existing obligations.
Youth Network and AI Groups in Janakpur
A symbolic football match was played at the sports ground of Janakpur Cigaratte factory on June 27, 2008. The game was organized at the initiative of the Janakpur-based AI Nepal affiliated Youth Group-57 and Intellectual Group-15. A team of media persons working for local newspapers and FM radio stations played against a team comprising AI members and human rights workers in Janakpur. The second team comprised of AI Nepal Central Treasurer Shambhu Thakur, Group-57 Convenor Shyam Babu Shah, Group-15 Convenor Murari Mishra, Human Rights and Peace Society, district President Bijaya Thakur, Roshandip Dhakal of INSEC, Sher Bahadur BC of National Human Rights Commission, Ravi Goyenka, Mahesh Shaha, Ananda Chaudhary, Anil Shaha and Arun Chaudhary while the media team comprised Brij Kumar Yadav, Rajesh Karna, Sailesh Lal Das, Ashok Dutta, Upendra Bhagat Rajbansi, Ajaya Jha, Indra Kumar Rajank, Ram Ashish Yadav, Ajit Tiwari, Sujit Jha and Bimalesh Singh. National Footballer Surendra Khati was the referee for the matc h. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Youth Networks in Sunsari
A symbolic football match was played at the sports ground of Janata Secondary School, Itahari on June 29, 2008 with participation of members of the four youth networks affiliated to AI Nepal. Members of Itahari Youth Network, Bhagawati Youth Network, Inaruwa, the network of students of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan and Duhabi Youth Network, and Itahari-based Group-63 took part in the football match. Women members also took part in the match. The black (jersey) team defeated the white (jersey) team by 1-0. On the occasion, AI Nepal Director Rameswar Nepal, former Deputy Secretary General Rajnarayan Mandal, Group-63 Convenor Kabindra Mandal, Group-6 Secretary Ganesh Khatri and local AI members and other spectators were present on the occasion.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES
Quiz Contest by Itahari Youth Network
AI Nepal Youth Network in Itahari organized an interschool human rights contest on 29 December 2007. Participants of ten different schools took part in the contest. Students of SOS Herman Miner School, Janata School and Peace Zone School got the first, second and third position respectively. The winners of the contest were awarded prizes and certificated according to the Group.
Signature collection demanding end of death penalty in Iraq
AI Miteri Youth Network in Kathmandu has organized a signature collection event demanding the end of death penalty in Iraq. Participants of the event signed the post card prepared by AI Nepal the urged the authorities of Iraq to immediately end capital punishment in the country and ensure the right to life to every individuals. 800 postcards were signed during the event according to the network source. The singed cards have been sent to the concerning authorities.
AI Nepal and its Groups have been organizing various events as an international solidarity to promote human rights in selected countries of the world.
Signature Collection on India by Damak Youth Network
At the joint auspices of the AI Nepal Group 75 and the Youth Network in Damak, a public program was organized on January 12, 2008 to collect signatures on an appeal written to the Indian authorities to stop death penalty in India. Addressing the participants of the program, former Central Member of AI Nepal, Lila Khanal, Central Member of Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON), Dr KP Subedi, President of Civic Society, Damak, Kamal Jungalee, Chief of Model Campus, Krishna Prasad Timsena, Journalist Mana Kumar Gadal, NC leader Padam Koirala, AI Nepal Group-60 Convenor, Sesh Kumar Niroula, Group 75 Convenor, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Deputy Convenor Bhaba Krishna Khatiwada, AI Member Govinda Kattel, Convenor of Damak Youth Network, Pallavi Bhattarai and member Kamala Bhandari shed light on the provision of death penalty and its impact.
At the signature campaign organized at local Damak Chowk, signatures were collected in a request letter written in a cloth to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, calling for scrapping of the death penalty provision. Around 2,000 signatures of human rights workers, journalists, teachers, students and the general people wre collected on the occasion. The collected signatures were sent to Indian Prime Minister Dr Singh through the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
Signature Collection on India by Janakpur Youth Network
Demanding abolition of death penalty in India, the AI Nepal Group 57, Janakpur organized a signature collection program on January 7, 2008. At the program, people from various walks of life, intellectuals, journalists and students signed an appeal written to the Indian authorities calling for the same. Group Convenor Shyam Babu Shaha, Dhanusa District President of Human Rights and Peace Society, Bijaya Kumar Thakur, AI Nepal Janakpur Youth Network Convenor, Nilesh Chandan Das and other AI members were present at the program held in presence of AI Nepal Central Treasurer, Shambhu Thakur.
Signature Collection in Dharan by Medical Youth Network.
The Dharan Youth Network under AI Nepal and comprising students of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan collected signatures at local Ghopa Camp expressing moral support to the struggle being made by the family of Wu Jhinjyang on June 23.
Likewise, the Network also collected on June 26 signatures on a letter written to Nepal Government Minister calling for Government of Nepal’s support in drafting an effective Arms Control Treaty. Both the programs were coordinated by the Network Convenor, Madan Krishna Mandal.
Signature collection in Sundarbazar by Sundarbazar Youth Network
The youth network under AI Nepal at Sundarbazar of Lamjung organized a signature collection program on an appeal for the release of Prisoner of Conscience Bu Daungo of China on May 2, 2008. At the signature collection held at the venue of the interaction on “new Nepal: opportunities, possibilities and challenges” organized by the CPN-Maoist Sundarbazar Unit, teachers, students, politicians, professionals and social workers took part.
At the interaction, Convenor of the Youth Network, Rama Poudel said the Maoists now have a big responsibility for the respect and promotion of human rights and an atmosphere should be created where all the citizens can fully enjoy their inherent rights in new Nepal.
