The 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal held on 21 October 2011 in Nepalgunj .The AGM passed organization’s activity and financial report unanimously.
The closed session discussed on annual report presented by Secretary General Rashmila Bhochhibhoya, Financial and Audit Report presented by the Treasurer Surya Bahadur Adhikari and report of the National Secretariat presented by Director Rameshwar Nepal. All those report were adopted unanimously by the AGM.
In the same closed session, Deputy Secretary General Rajan Kuinkel informed the House about the decisions of 30th International Council Meeting (ICM) of Amnesty International held in August 2011 in the Netherlands.
Altogether 58 delegates participated the AGM representing from 58 Groups.
INAUGURAL CEREMONY
Earlier, an inaugural ceremony was held on 20th October .Chief Guest of the program and Justice of Appellate Court Banke, Mr. Keshab Prasad Mainali inaugurated the AGM by lightning the candle amidst a programme.
On the occasion the Chief Guest Mainali appreciated the role of Amnesty International to uplift the human rights situation in Nepal and the whole world. He further expressed his views that there should be united effort to end the existing impunity and independence of Court.
Speaking at the program, former chairperson of AI Nepal and veteran human rights activist of the country Krishna Pahadi made an exciting speech on human rights situation in Nepal and campaign of Amnesty International.
Other speakers of the inaugural session were President of Nepali Congress Banke district committee Dr. Arun Koirala, CA member Mohammadi Siddhiki, President of Human Rights and Peace Society Nepal HomKant Choulagain, Director of AI Nepal Rameshwar Nepal and others. On the occasion, over 300 people representing from different walk of lives were present. The inaugural session was chaired by Chairperson of AI Nepal Hem Kumar Khadka.
INTEGRATION OF CAMPAIGN
1. Signature Campaign on ICC
AI Nepal Organized a signature collection programme on the sidelines of the AGM urging to the Government of Nepal to access on the Rome Statute. The programme was held at BP Chowk in Nepalgunj and started by Justice of Appellate court Banke, Mr. Keshab Prasad Mainali . As part of a national campaign to ensure justice, truth and reparations in Nepal, Amnesty International has called on the government to commit to ending impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
2. Online Action
The participants of the AGM took part in an online letter writing campaign during the concluding session. Heramba Dev Bhattarai Convener of AI Nepal,Labour Group-8,Kathmandu facilitated the session. Participants of AGM, by using the webpage of AI Nepal, sent letters to Nepal government urging ratification of Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR).
FINANCIAL REPORTS MADE PUBLIC
Amnesty International (AI) Nepal organized press conference on 22 October, 2011 in Nepalgunj aiming to publicize its decision of the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and its financial detail including form where money came and where that was spent. On the occasion, General Secretary of Rashmila Bhochhibhoya, Deputy General Secretary Rajan Kuinkel and Director Rameshwar Nepal shed light the decision of the AGM.
Journalist basically asked the questions related to AI Nepal’s future plan and human rights situation in Nepal.
In the press meet, the financial and audit report were distributed among the journalists. AI Nepal publicizes its financial report every year by organizing press conference as part of its transparency.