Amnesty International (AI) Nepal organized a caravan (Bus –Tour) with the two major objectives. The first objective was to put positive pressure on the Nepal Government while the second is to raise awareness amongst general public particularly people planning to go abroad for the sake of work.
The activists including representatives of AI Nepal’s Group, Youth Networks, elected national committees travelled 9 districts from Kaski to Sarlahi. In every districts from Kaski to Syangja, Palpa, Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, Makawanpur, Parsa and Sarlahi various events including rally, distribution of pamphlets highlighting rights of migrant works, submission of memorandum to Nepal government through the Chief District Officers (CDOs) and performance of street drama were held. In some districts, local AI Nepal’s Group and Youth Networks organized other programs including mass meetings and interactions.
During the caravan a street drama highlighting rights of the migrant workers with title “Marusthal Ko Yatra”, written by Krishna Pahadi, directed by Ashesh Malla and performed by Sarwanam Theatre Group was shown in every place. Similarly, memorandum submitted to the Nepal Government through CDOs which has highlighted rights of the migrant workers, problem that they are facing and recommendations of AI to overcome such problems. Likewise, in all places pamphlets were distributed which highlights rights of the migrant workers.
Earlier, popular human rights activist and former prisoner of conscience Krishna Pahadi inaugurated the caravan on 13 June in Pokhara which was concluded in Sarlahi on 17 June.
On the occasion people of the districts as well CDOs, activists and general people expressed their positive support to the events.
The following are some highlight of our events in the districts:
Kaski
In the afternoon on 13 June, popular human rights activist and former prisoner of conscience Krishna Pahadi inaugurated the caravan amid a special program. After inaugural, participants coming from AI Nepal’s Group, Youth Networks and Elected Central Committee marched in the city center of Pokhara holding plea-cards and banners with different slogans. Pamphlets were distributed to the public.
When rally arrived at Lakhan Chowk, a mass meeting started. The mass meeting was addressed by acting chief of regional labour office Pokhara, Laxmi Bahadur KC, Officer of National Human Rights Commission Regional Office Pokhara Badri Subedi, Chairperson of NRN Nigeria Hikmat Bahadur Thapa, AI Nepal’s Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kaski District Shambhu Koirala and Popular Human Rights Activist Krishna Pahadi.
Earlier, AI Nepal’s Vice-chairperson Keshab Sigdel highlited the objectives of the event while Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka handed over the memorandum to the CDO of Kaski.
At the end of the mass meeting, the street drama was performed.
Syanja
From Kaski, Caravan reached in Syangja district on 14 June. Activists travelling on caravan marched across the Syangja Bazar holding plea-cards and banners before they gathered at the main center of the Bazar where street drama was performed. The CDO of Syangja Jeevan Oli devoted his time to see full drama shown at public place.
Before street drama performance, a delegation led by AI Nepal’s Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka submitted a memorandum to the CDO Mr. Oli.
Palpa
Caravan reached in Palpa district on 14 June. Activists travelling on caravan marched across the Tansen Bazar holding plea-cards and banners before they gathered at the Sheetal Pati where the street drama was performed.
Before street drama performance, a delegation led by AI Nepal’s Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka submitted a memorandum to the CDO Janakraj Regmi.
Rupandehi
The caravan reached in Rupandehi district on 15 June. A delegation led by AI Nepal’s General Secretary Shambhu Thakur submitted memorandum to the assistant CDO Pitambar Ghimire at the district headquarters in Bhairahawa. Rest of the events held in another main city Butwal of the Rupandehi.
At the beginning of the event, local AI Nepal’s Group-12 in Butwal and Butwal Youth Network welcomed the activists coming from other districts. Then a rally marched through-out the city center of Butwal before it gathered for a mass meeting at Traffic Chowk. The mass meeting was addressed by representatives of political parties and human rights organization including National Human Rights Commission.
At the end of the mass meeting, artists performed street drama. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during rally, mass meeting and street drama.
Nawalparasi
From Rupandehi, the caravan reached in Nawalparasi district on 15 June. A delegation led by AI Nepal’s Deputy General Secretary Uttam Sapkota submitted memorandum to the Administrative Officer Shiva Prasad Lamsal, taking charge of the CDO, at the district headquarters in Parasi.
At the beginning of the event, local AI Nepal’s Group-31 in Parasi welcomed the activists coming from other districts. Then a rally marched through-out the city center of Parasi before it gathered for a street drama at Parasi Chowk. Artists performed street drama at the Parasi Chowk. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during rally and street drama. At the end of the event, AI Nepal’s Group-31 organized an introduction program.
Chitwan
The caravan reached in Chitwan on 16 June. A delegation led by AI Nepal’s National Executive Committee Member Nirmal Babu Shrestha submitted memorandum to the CDO Basanta Goutam at the district headquarters in Chitwan.
At the beginning of the event, local AI Nepal’s Group-33 and 64, and Innovative and Rampur Youth Network based in Chitwan welcomed the activists coming from other districts. Then a rally marched through-out the city center of Narayangadh before it gathered for a street drama at Pulchowk where artists performed street drama. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during rally and street drama. At the end of the event, AI Nepal’s Group-33 organized a reception program.
Makawanpur
After Chitwan, the caravan reached in Makawanpur district on 16 June. A delegation led by AI Nepal’s National Executive Committee Member Nirmal Babu Shrestha submitted memorandum to the CDO Krishna Prasad Regmi at the district headquarters in Makawanpur.
At the beginning of the event, local AI Nepal’s Group-67 based in Makawanpur welcomed the activists coming from other districts. Then a rally marched through-out the city center of Hetauda before it gathered for a street drama at Hetauda chowk where artists performed street drama. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during rally and street drama. At the end of the event, AI Nepal’s Group-67 organized an introduction program.
Parsa
After Makawanpur, the caravan reached in Parsa district on 16 June. A delegation led by AI Nepal’s National Executive Committee (NEC) Member Nirmal Babu Shrestha submitted memorandum to the CDO Nagendra Jha at Birgunj, the district headquarters in Parsa.
At the beginning of the event, local AI Nepal’s Group-16 based in Birgunj welcomed the activists coming from other districts. Then a rally marched through-out the city center of Birgunj before it gathered for a mass meeting at Ghantaghar. The mass meeting was addressed by AI Nepal’s NEC member Nirmal Babu Shrestha and Convener of Group-16 Suresh Upadhyaya.
On the next day (17 June) morning, the drama group performed street drama highlighting rights of the migrant workers. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during rally and street drama.
Sarlahi
Finally, the caravan reached in Lalbandi, Sarlahi district on 17 June. Local AI Nepal’s Group -78 and Shantideep Youth Network organized an event to welcome participants of the caravan.
At the beginning of the event there, local AI Nepal’s Group-78 organized a mass meeting which was addressed AI Nepal’s NEC members Yashoda Upadhyaya and Nirmal Babu Shrestha other activists. As soon as mass meeting concluded, the drama group performed street drama. Activists taking part in the caravan distributed pamphlets to public during mass meeting and street drama.
At the end of the event, an introduction and “good-bye” program was organized.