Simara: Amnesty International Nepal (Amnesty Nepal) successfully concluded its 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Jeetpursimara, Bara, Madhesh Province, on 19–20 November 2025.
Around 150 participants attended the AGM, including 87 voting delegates representing Amnesty Nepal’s groups, youth networks and individual members from across the country. The event was also joined by members of Amnesty Nepal’s Board and committees, former chairs, staff, volunteers, and observers.
The AGM’s main agenda included the presentation, discussion, and approval of statutory reports for the fiscal year 2081/82, the organization’s annual human rights action plan and budget for 2026, and the appointment of auditors for the fiscal year 2082/83. Delegates also deliberated and voted on a proposal to amend the organization’s statute and elected a female member to the Preparatory Committee.
The AGM opened with a public action by Amnesty Nepal members, calling for an end to the ongoing human rights crisis in Sudan. The action highlighted Amnesty International’s global campaign urging world leaders to address the atrocities and widespread abuses in what has become the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Despite the scale of these atrocities, global responses have remained largely muted, with little coordinated action to protect civilians or hold perpetrators accountable. Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the UN Security Council to take urgent measures to halt the flow of arms, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and support independent investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The immense suffering in Sudan continues to meet an alarming silence from the international community,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, Director of Amnesty International Nepal. “Our action at the AGM echoes Amnesty’s global call for justice and accountability. The world cannot stay silent and remain helpless while civilians endure mass atrocities and starvation.”
The AGM was formally inaugurated by Mr. Buddha Narayan Sahani Kewat, Chief of the National Human Rights Commission Office in Madhesh. In his remarks, he highlighted persistent human rights concerns in the province, including widespread poverty, a strained healthcare system, entrenched caste-based discrimination and violence, child marriage, rising domestic violence, and the intensifying impacts of climate change. He also noted the weakening of the human rights defenders’ community, stressing that meaningful progress is impossible without state accountability and a functioning democracy.
“Caste-based discrimination, particularly against the Dalit community, remains deeply entrenched. Laws and mechanisms may exist, but when they fail to function and communities continue to suffer, real change remains out of reach,” said Kewat.
Speaking at the inaugural session, senior journalist and activist Purushottam Dahal expressed his regret towards how things appear to be sliding towards anarchy and lawlessness. He stressed that there is a need to respect and abide by the rule of law and the fundamentals of transparency and accountability by everybody, including the state functionaries. He also expressed his sadness at how organizations such as Amnesty who raise voice on such issues are vilified and targeted retributively, and yet, it is now more than ever before that the relevance of these organizations remains, he said.
Senior Human rights activist and former Chair of Amnesty Nepal Charan Prasai also welcomed participants and reflected on Nepal’s current human rights landscape, particularly in the wake of the Gen Z protests, and highlighted the critical role of organizations like Amnesty Nepal in steering positive change by spreading human rights awareness, organizing sustained campaigns, mobilizing people power and spreading the message of collective solidarity, voice and action.
Another key highlight of the AGM was a panel discussion on “Intergenerational Dialogue: How can youths contribute to shaping a culture of rule of law, accountability, and human rights?” The panel featured political thinker and analyst Chandrakishore Jha, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights scholar and researcher Kailash Rai, founding General Secretary of the Conflict Victims’ Common Platform and activist Dr. Ram Kumar Bhandari, and lawyer Shailendra Ambedkar.
The discussion focused on Nepal’s current political and social context. Jha highlighted pressing human rights issues in Madhesh Province, emphasizing how structural inequalities continue to affect marginalized communities. Rai reflected on the rapidly evolving landscape following the recent Gen Z–led protests, stressing the importance of maintaining social cohesion and upholding the rule of law.
Drawing connections between past and present, Dr. Bhandari addressed the long-standing lack of accountability for conflict-era abuses, warning that the government’s tendency to avoid accountability and responsibility —as seen during the Maoist conflict—has contributed to a dangerous culture of impunity in Nepal. Ambedkar highlighted the entrenched caste-based discrimination present across Nepali society—from legislation to everyday life in villages—and noted persistent disparities between Kathmandu and the rest of the country.
“This AGM marks a crucial moment to reinforce our collective commitment to human rights,” said AI Nepal Chairperson Bipin Budhathoki delivering his closing remarks at the opening session of the AGM. “With the country undergoing significant political shifts, it is more important than ever that we remain focused on advancing human rights. The discussions and decisions we have made here will guide our work, helping us refine our strategic priorities for the year ahead and beyond, while strengthening the unity and engagement of Amnesty’s membership nationwide.”