International Day of the Disappeared 2012
The families of the enforced disappearance demanded justice, truth and reparation as soon as possible. Speaking in the various programs in Kathmandu organized on the occasion of 29th International Day of the Disappeared, they expressed their anger on the recent ordinance passed by the Government and recommended to the President of Nepal which includes legal provision giving power to the Truth and Reconciliation, and inquiry on Disappearance Commission to recommend general amnesty to the perpetrators. They urged for its withdrawal. Altogether 19 organizations including Amnesty International jointly organized a 4 days (August 27-30) campaign to mark the international day.
Signature Collected
Amnesty international Nepal organized a signature collection program on 30 August 2012 at Kattik Dabali, Mangalbazar, Lalitpur. On the occasion, hundreds of signatures were collected demanding truth, Justice and reparation to victim’s families. In the event, people expressed their solidarity to the victims’ families.
Clay Pot Lightning
At the evening of 30th August a Clay Pot Lightning program also organized in Kattik Dabali of Lalitpur. The Clay Pots were in the shape of 1,350 plus number as a symbol of total missing people. The clay pots lighted in the memory of the victims of enforced disappearance. Likewise, various musical performances also organized on the occasion.
We are against the Ordinance: NHRC
In a part of four-day campaign, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) led a talk program on 30th of August. On the occasion, Kedar Nath Upadhyaya, Chairperson of the NHRC, said that NHRC is against the ordinance recommended by Government. He said NHRC would continue to work until even one case remains pending. Likewise, Dhruba Sharma, Secretary of Peace and Reconstruction Ministry, also expressed solidarity to the victim’s families. On the occasion, Ram Kumar Bhandari, Chairperson of National Network of Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal (NEFAD) also presented the problems related to the victims. Amnesty International was one of the co-organizer of the event.
Rally in Kathmandu
Human rights activists and the family members of the disappeared taken out a rally on 30 August demanding to publicize the where about of the disappeared and reparation for the victims. A rally that started at the Bhrikuti Mandap passed through Putalisadak, Baghbazar, Ratnapark and finally converged into a mass meeting at Santibatika. There was participation of hundreds of victim family and human rights community. Amnesty International was one of the organizers of the event.
Public Hearing
A Public Hearing program between former Constituent Assembly (CA) members and victim’s families organized on 29th of August. In the event, victim’s families raised various questions about not getting justice till now. On the occasion, former CA member Agni Kharel, Puspa Bhusal and Ekraj Bhandari were in the panel while victim family coming from different part of the country asked various question from the floor. Likewise, a documentary prepared by Advocacy Forum, related to disappearance also launched. Amnesty International was one of the organizers of the event.
Letter to the President
Four human rights groups Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists and TRIAL on 30 August delivered an open letter to President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, condemning the Government’s attempt to establish by ordinance a commission that would in effect permit amnesty for crimes committed during the country’s civil war. The letter asks the President to return the ordinance, and to remind the Government of Nepal of its obligations under national and international law.