24th Annual General Meeting

7 November, 2015

The 24^th Annual General Meeting (National Council Meeting) of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal was held on 5 to 7 November in Butwal. The highest policy making body meets every year, and this year’s meeting was a continuation of the internal democratic exercise. The AGM was divided into three different sessions: Inaugural Session, Business Session and Election of National Executive Committees.

Inaugural Session

The inaugural session was held on 5 November 2015. Former Chairperson of Council of Ministers Khilraj Regmi inaugurated the ceremony by lighting a candle. Making an inaugural speech, various persons from different walks of life congratulated AI Nepal for its contribution to defending human rights in Nepal. They suggested AI to continue its work and give voice to the voiceless. They also expressed concerns over worsening human rights situation in Nepal.

Speakers addressing the inaugural sessions were Damannath Dhungana, the former Speaker of the parliament and prominent civil society activist; Marshal Julum Shakya, former Minister and former Chairperson of AI Nepal; Professor Dr. Birendra Mishra, a prominent civil society activist; Professor Purushottam Dahal, Senior Journalist and human rights defender; former chairs of AI Nepal, Charan Prasai and Pradeep Pokharel;  Yuba Raj Giri, representative of Nepali Congress Party; Mina Pant, the Chairperson of Nepal Bar Association Appellate Bar Unit; Sher Bahadur KC, the Chairperson of Rupandehi District Branch of Federation of Nepalese Journalist; Professor Dr. Ram Chandra Acharya, Chairperson of OPEN; and Bal Kumari Bhandari, the Convener of AI Nepal’s Group 12, Butwal. The Inaugural Session was chaired by AI Nepal’s Chairperson Surya Bahadur Adhikari

AI Nepal’s Director Rameshwar Nepal made a detailed presentation regarding AI’s priority campaign as well as AI’s concerns over the current human rights situation in the country.

Business Sessions

The closed business session discussed on annual report presented by Acting General Secretary Bikram Dhukuchhu, Financial and Auditors Report presented by Acting Treasurer Manju Aryal and Activities Report presented by Director Rameshwar Nepal. The AGM adopted Annual Plan and Budget for the year 2016.

The AGM passed different resolutions about different human rights themes. These include: a call to end barriers on supplies, to end impunity, to ensure protection of eights of Nepali migrant workers, to ratify Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and to ensure right to maternal health.

The AGM also passed two different resolutions unanimously condemning activities against Amnesty International and its officials. Altogether 159 delegates and observers participated including from 51 local AI Groups in the AGM.

Election

The AGM also conducted an election to the 6 positions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) which were left vacant after resignation by the post-holders in June 2015. The following is the list of candidates elected by the AGM in those vacant posts.

Closing Ceremony

A closing ceremony was held on 7 November. At the ceremony, Chairperson Surya Bahadur Adhikari, former Chairpersons Marshal Julum Shakya, Charan Prasai, Pradeep Pokharel and Hem Khadka, newly elected General Secretary Karun Khanal, Director Rameshwar Nepal, Member of Group 12 Butwal Sarita Bhari and various speakers expressed their happiness at the success of the AGM. The closing ceremony was chaired by Bal Kumari Bhandari, the Convener of AI Nepal Group-12, Butwal. Group 12 also provided a token of love to guests and delegates of the AGM.