11 September, 2016
The 25th Annual General Meeting (National Council Meeting) of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal was held on 10 and 11 September in Pokhara. 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 Committees.
Inaugural Session
The inaugural session of the 25th Annual General Meeting was held on 9 September 2016 at Hotel Barahi, Pokhara. Nepal’s President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav inaugurated the meeting amidst a grand program by lighting a candle.
Various persons from different walk of lives congratulated AI for contributing to defending human rights in Nepal during the inaugural session. 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 Anup Raj Sharma, the Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission; Daman Nath Dhungana, former Speaker of the Parliament and front line civil society activist; Prof. Dr. Birendra Mishra, civil society activist; Prof. Purushottam Dahal, Senior Journalist and human rights defender; Gita Chhetri Rana, member of parliament (and member of parliamentary committee on Social Justice and Human Rights); and Nabin Baral and Basanta Prasad Subedi, the convenors of Pokhara based AI Groups 54 and 82 respectively. 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 ongoing human rights situation.
President Yadav felicitated AI Nepal’s outgoing Director Rameshwar Nepal for his contribution in protection of human rights as well as institutional development of Amnesty International in Nepal. Nepal, who began his career in AI Nepal in 1998 as a Human Rights Education Officer and served in different positions including Press Officer, Deputy Director and lastly as Director since late 2005 has decided to leave the position from November 2016.
Business Sessions
The closed business session discussed on annual report presented by Acting General Secretary Karun Khanal, Financial and Auditors Report presented by Treasurer Hira Sharma Nepal and Activities Report presented by Director Rameshwar Nepal. The AGM also gave authority to the National Board to appoint the auditors to conduct the audit of fiscal year 2073/74.
The AGM passed 5 different resolutions about different human rights themes. These resolutions include, a call to end impunity, ensure protection rights of Nepali migrant workers, ratify Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and demanding criminalisation of torture in Nepal.
Altogether 177 people including delegates of 66 AI Nepal’s Groups, 6 Groups-in-formations, National Board, Appeals Committee, National Secretariat, Volunteers and National Board Appointed Observers in the AGM.
Election
The AGM also elected a 11-member National Board and a 3-member Appeal Committee for a 2 year term. The following is the list of the committees elected by the AGM.
(A) National Executive Committee
| S.No. | Name | Designation | Represented From |
| 1 | Mr. Rajan Prasad Kuikel | Chairperson | AI Nepal, Group – 39, Nuwakot |
| 2 | Mr. Bikram Dhukuchhu | Treasurer | AI Nepal, Group 17, Bhaktapur |
| 3 | Ms. Yashoda Upadhyaya
(who has later appointed Deputy General Secretary in the National Board) |
Woman Member | AI Nepal, Group 68, Nepalgunj |
| 4 | Ms. Parvata Acharya | Woman Member | AI Nepal, Group 36,Pyuthan |
| 5 | Ms. Sangita Chapagai | Woman Member | AI Nepal, Group 1, Dhankuta |
| 6 | Mr. Dhruv Ray
(who has later appointed Vice-chairperson in the National Board) |
Member | AI Nepal, Group 7, Mahottary |
| 7 | Mr. Lekhnath (Laxmi) Niraula
(who has later appointed General Secretary in the National Board) |
Member | AI Nepal, Group 83, Damak, Jhapa |
| 8 | Mr. Suresh Upadhyaya Aryal | Member | AI Nepal Group 16, Birgunj, Parsa |
| 9 | Mr. Karna Bahadur Kunwar | Member | AI Nepal Group 89, Tikapur, Kailali |
| 10 | Ms. Pasang Sherpa | Youth Member | Joseph Youth Network, Kathmandu |
| 11 | Mr. Bipini Budhathoki | Youth Member | Dynamic Youth Network, Kathmandu |
(B) Appeal Committee
| S.No. | Name | Designation | Represented From |
| 1 | Mr. Keshab Pokharel | Coordinator | AI Nepal, Group – 22, Dhulabari, Jhapa |
| 2 | Ms. Prabha Adhikari Koirala | Member | AI Nepal, Group-41, Biratnagar, Morang |
| 3 | Mr. Basanta Prasad Subedi | Member | AI Nepal, Group -82, Pokhara, Kaski |
Closing Ceremony
A brief closing ceremony was held on 11 September. In the ceremony, Outgoing Chairperson Surya Bahadur Adhikari, newly Elected Chairperson Rajan Kuikel, former Chairpersons Charan Prasai, Pradip Pokharel, Dhruba Kumar Karki, Marshal Julum Shakya and Chitra Niraula and various speakers express their happiness for the completion of AGM successfully. Outgoing Chairperson Surya Bahadur Adhikari handed enlightened candle to newly elected chairperson Rajan Kuikel as a symbol of handing over the charge. Returning Officer Dhruba Kumar Karki handed over the certificates to the elected National Board Members and Appeal Committee Members.