Young human rights activists affiliated to Amnesty International Nepal urged Nepal government to implement its commitment made on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By organizing a demonstration on 16 October on the occasion of International Day of Eradication of Poverty, the young activists emphasized that when there is less poverty, then there will be more possibility of better human rights situation.
People of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins celebrate International Day of Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor. On the occasion of the IDEP this year, Asia Pacific Youth Network (APYN), a regional network of young human rights activist of Amnesty International, encouraged young activists across the region to take part in the different activities against poverty. For that, the APYN declared a week of 12-17 October as a “International Week of Youth Action 2009” (IYWA-09) against the human rights violations caused by poverty. To mark the IYWA-09, the young activists associated with AI Nepal hosted the demonstration, which was held in Banepa, Kabhrepalanchok.
During the event, signatures were collected to request Nepal Government to implement their commitment on MDGs to reduce poverty in Nepal. Around 300 signatures were collected during the program. In the same event Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Passport, a publication of Amnesty International Nepal containing Nepali version of 30 articles of the UDHR as well as leaflets elaborating MDGs and commitments of Nepal also distributed.
Nepal is one of the 189 countries committed to the MDGs. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger is one of the MDG Goal on which Nepal expressed its commitment to achieve it by 2015. However, the government has not placed proper system to work to achieve the MDG Goal.
Young activists from 6 Youth Networks (Laligurans, Everest, Kathmandu, Banepa, Panauti and Kathmandu University Youth Networks) affiliated to AI Nepal participated in the program. The program was coordinated by Youth Network National Working Group (YNNWG) of AI Nepal. Deputy General Secretary of AI Nepal Uttam Sapkota, Treasurer Rashmila Bhochhibhoya, Coordinator of YNNWG Suman Dhun Shrestha, and Members of YNNWG Rama Paudel and Elina Adhikari were among other participating in the program.