Beijing, the capital of China is hosting the summer Olympics in August this year. China was selected as the host nation of the summer Olympics in 2001. In course of the selection process, China had expressed the commitment before the international community to improve its human rights situation if it was selected to host the Olympics in 2008. Bus as China did not fulfill its commitments; Amnesty International has been carrying out the “Beijing Olympics Campaign” at the international level, appealing China to stick to its commitments. In course of the campaign Amnesty International has aimed to exert pressure on China by calling it to put an end to the death penalty and punitive detention without trial, protect the human rights defenders, and stop unwarranted censorship of the internet.
Amnesty International Nepal Chapter has also been organizing a variety of activities under the Beijing Olympics Campaign. In this connection, an orientation on the Beijing Olympics Campaign was organized on March 14, 2008 for the representatives of the AI Nepal Groups taking part in the Campaign. At the program inaugurated by Acting Chairman of AI Nepal, Dhruva Kumar Karki, General Secretary Chandra Kumar Adhikari and National Executive Committee Member Keshav Sigdel expressed their views. Treasurer of the National Executive Committee, Shambhu Thakur and Members Geeta Neupane, Bikram Dhukuchu, Dipak Rajbhandari and Chhabi Baskota were present on the occasion. Also present were Coordinator of the Appeal Committee, Hem Kumar Khadka and Members Dhan Jaisi Sharma and Krishna Prasad Dahal.
AI Nepal Program Officer, Bhola Bhattarai oriented the participants on the various aspects of the Beijing Olympics Campaign.