8th Anniversary of Maina Sunuwar's Arrest and Death

The conflict victim and their family members repeated the general questions to the state and political party representatives 'Where are the promises and accountabilities which they have made regarding the conflict victims?' Speakers of a program organized by various human rights organizations emphasized to establish truth and ensure reparation and justice as soon as possible in the cases of human rights abuses that occurred during the decade-long conflict.

In an interaction held on 17 February 2012 (the 8th anniversary of arrest and death of Maina Sunuwar) jointly organized by Advocacy Forum, Amnesty International Nepal, Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), Conflict Victims' Society for Justice ( CVSJ), Human Rights and Democratic Forum (FOHRID), Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC), International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and International Commission of Jurist (ICJ) the conflict victims and their family asked various questions regarding how state is planning to ensure justice while representatives of leading political parties addressed those questions.

Speakers in the program called for accountability for war-era abuses and raised serious concern about state's reluctance in addressing problems of the victims and their family. On the program, Devi Sunuwar, the mother of Maina Sunuwar expressed her worries about delays on getting justice on the case of killing of her daughter. She added that even if the court has charged army men as guilty, none of the perpetrators have been brought to justice. Likewise, Constitutional Assembly (CA) member of Ruling UCPN (M) Ekraj Bhandari said that victim should get the justice as soon as possible.

On the other hand, CA Member and leader of Nepali Congress Dr. Minendra Rijal, CA member of CPN (UML) Yubaraj Karki and Former Deputy Prime minister and President of Madhesi Jana Adhikar Forum, Nepal Upendra Yadav blamed to the Maoist for the delay in ensuring justice. They stressed that Maoist should be cooperative in this regard.

Similarly, Secretary of National Human Rights commission Bishal Khanal, Member of National women Commission Mohana Ansari, Chairperson of INSEC Subodh Pyakurel and advocate Govinda Bandi suggested to the victims and their family to keep pressing the state for the justice and also called to change their sorrows into power.

In the program, victims and their family members also raised questions to the political leaders about the delay in justice from the floor. "We filed a complaint against enforced disappearances of my father at various national and international human rights and legal fora but all in vain," said Ram Kumar Bhandari Chairperson of National Network of Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal (NEFAD) and one of the victim's family members.

He added "When the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in November 2006 declaring an end to the conflict, the government and the seven parties agreed to inform kin of the disappeared about their family member's status within 60 days. However, as 60 months have passed with no progress on the issue, the plight of those whose relatives have disappeared continues to worsen. They live in limbo, they have been ignored and their tears have never dried". Manjima Dhakal, daughter of advocate Rajendra Dhakal, who disappeared in 1999, said her family does not want any compensation from the state but wants to know the status of her father.Laxmi Koirala of Gorkha whose husband was killed by then Maoist rebels during the conflict period, said any kind of pardon for any rights violates will be unacceptable.

After hearing the concerns by victims and their families, leader of main political parties repeated as usual that they are committed for the justice to victim's family. However, the leaders were unable to say about the exact timetable about 'when the justice is established?'

and thanked AI for the report

Minister of Labour and Transport Management of Nepal Sarita Giri thanked Amnesty International for the latest research report titled 'False Promises: Exploitation and Forced Labour of Nepali Migrant workers'. Meeting with Amnesty International delegation on 15 December 2011 led by Norma Kang Muico, Researcher of Amnesty International, Asia-Pacific Migrants' Rights, she assured to implement the recommendations made by the report. She further said, "There are a number of problem in the foreign migration and we are committed for a change."

On the occasion minister Giri said that the report by AI is very useful to the government and the government will take it very seriously particularly the recommendations made by it. She added that government has many challenges but she will be using her all capacity in favour of migrant workers in humanitarian ground.

Leader of AI delegation Norma Kang Muico handed over the report to minister and briefed her about the highlights of the report.On the occasion, consultant of AI Mike Kaye and Director of AI Nepal Rameshwar Nepal were also present.

Earlier, the delegation had a meeting with Constitution Assembly (CA) Members who are looking after the migration issue. In the meeting AI's delegate members briefed the highlights of the report. CA members Shanti Adhikari, Binda Pandey, Gagan Thapa, Rabindra Adhikari and Tilak Ranabhat were present in the meeting.AI had launched it's report on 13th December 2011 in Kathmandu.

Rogue Nepalese recruitment agencies are trafficking Nepalese for exploitation and forced labour in the Gulf States and Malaysia, Amnesty International said on 13th December,2011 in a new report, as it called on the Nepalese government to improve protection of its migrant workers.

A research report titled "False Promises : Exploitation and Forced Labor of Nepali Migrant workers' released by Amnesty International in Katmandu points out that majority of migrant workers are not given salary as per their contract, forced to work without a rest day, are locked up and physically abused.

'Many foreign employment recruitment agencies in the country have been found to be deceiving Nepali migrant workers even before they reach the countries of their destination', the report said.Of the 150 returnees and prospective migrant workers interviewed for the report, more than 90 per cent of them said that they were deceived by recruitment agencies and brokers on the fundamental aspects of their contract.

Speaking on the event organized to launch the report, Amnesty International's Researcher on Asia-Pacific Migrants' Rights, Norma Kang Muico said if the Government of Nepal gives priority to safe migration then that would benefit thousands of workers and their families every year, and would also benefit the economy if it takes initiative to protect its citizens abroad.
According to the report findings recruitment agencies have been charging on an average Rs. 100,000 as service fees from the migrant workers, which is three times more than the average annual income of Nepal in 2010. A total of 294,094 Nepali workers left home for foreign employment in 2010, and the number was 55,025 in 2000.

Likewise, majority of the Nepali migrant workers end up in construction, production and domestic work in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.Speaking at the program, Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment, Purna Chandra Bhattarai made it clear that the Government was working despite its limited resources to fully enforce the Foreign Employment Act and its regulations in order to make foreign employment safe and dignified.On the occasion president of Foreign Employment Association Nepal Prem Bahadur Katuwal rejected that they have not been regulated and monitored by the law.

Amnesty International documented cases where migrants were also beaten, threatened and had their freedom of movement restricted by employers in destination countries. Migrants facing exploitation or forced labor who sought assistance from Nepalese recruitment agencies or the government authorities received little support.

The report said that recruitment agencies even endorsed employers' common practice of confiscating passports, which facilitates abuse. "Migrant women face restrictions to working abroad which increase their vulnerability," Muico said, adding that intermittent bans on domestic work and a requirement to seek family permission prior to migrating, force women to migrate through irregular channels or become 'undocumented'.

But Amnesty International's research found evidence of violations of the law by recruitment agencies, including failure to provide contracts, changing terms and conditions and overcharging for services. But the government is failing to enforce the legislation, and no recruitment agency has been punished.Migrant workers also have rights under the Act to compensation when their terms and conditions have not been met, yet few are aware of existing mechanisms for complaint and redress.
"If the government prioritises safe migration, it will benefit hundreds of thousands and their families each year," Muico said, adding that it is imperative that the government acts to protect its citizens abroad which can also benefit Nepal's economy.
The government must end impunity for rogue recruitment agencies and fully enforce the Foreign Employment Act, the report said. Amnesty International also called on the government to do more to ensure that compensation mechanisms are accessible and effective. "Many migrant workers are in the dark about their rights and don't know who they can turn to for help. "The authorities must ensure those working abroad and their families are properly informed about the migration process," she said.

Between September 2010 and May 2011, Amnesty International interviewed 149 returned or prospective migrant workers and met seven recruitment agencies and numerous government officials. On the report release program Director of AI Nepal Rameshwar Nepal, Victim of foreign employment Dinesh Adhikari and Puspa Bahadur Ghale also have spoken regarding the issue.

Rogue Nepalese recruitment agencies are trafficking Nepalese for exploitation and forced labour in theGulf States and Malaysia, Amnesty International said today in a new report, as it called on theNepalese government to improve protection of its migrant workers.

False Promises: Exploitation and forced labour of Nepalese migrant workers highlights the fate ofprospective migrants who take out large loans to pay recruitment fees to secure a job overseas, unaware that recruitment agencies are deceiving them about the work, pay and conditions they are signing up to.Amnesty International interviewed nearly 150 migrant workers and found that 90 per cent had been deceived by recruitment agencies regarding their employment contract. Some had to work without rest days, in dangerous conditions, or received salaries of less than half of what was promised.

"Nepalese people seek a better life abroad but fail before they even leave home, as recruitment agents –who earn huge profits – deceive them regarding their terms of contract, which is a key element in trafficking," said Norma Kang Muico, Amnesty International's Researcher for Asia-Pacific Migrants Rights.

"By the time they find out the true nature of their work, many are already trapped, saddled with large loans from private lenders with annual interest rates of up to 60 per cent." Recruitment agencies charge an average NPR 100,000 (US$1,400) for their services, three times the average annual income in Nepal.Being burdened with large loans and no alternative way of repaying them leaves migrant workers highly vulnerable to exploitation. Amnesty International documented cases where migrants were also beaten, threatened and had their freedom of movement restricted by employers in destination countries.Migrants facing exploitation or forced labour who sought assistance from Nepalese recruitment agencies or Nepalese government authorities received little support. Recruitment agencies even endorsed employers' common practice of confiscating passports, which facilitates abuse. Nepalese women face restrictions to working abroad which increase their vulnerability. Intermittent bans on domestic work and a requirement to seek family permission prior to migrating, force women to migrate through irregular channels or become 'undocumented'. Amnesty International interviewed migrant domestics who had worked 21 hours per day, were not allowed to leave the house and were sexually abused by their employers. "The Government must end discriminatory practices that force women migrants underground and leave them at greater risk of exploitation, without the protections available to regular migrants," said Norma Kang Muico.

Nepal's Foreign Employment Act, introduced in 2007, is supposed to provide protection for migrant workers. It requires recruitment agencies to provide migrant workers with a copy of their contract in advance and guards against excessive fees for recruitment services. It also allows for punishment of recruitment agents that fail to abide by terms of contract. Amnesty International's research found evidence of violations of the law by recruitment agencies, including failure to provide contracts, changing terms and conditions and overcharging for services. But the Government of Nepal is failing to enforce the legislation, and no recruitment agency has been punished. Migrant workers also have rights under the Act to compensation when their terms and conditions have not been met, yet few are aware of existing mechanisms for complaint and redress in Nepal. Nearly 20 per cent of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010-11 came from remittances from migrants, who also provide for the needs of their own families. Official figures show that the number of Nepalese migrating abroad has increased five-fold since 2000 and that Qatar is one of the major employers of Nepalese workers, largely due to construction ahead of the World Cup in 2022.

"If the Government prioritises safe migration, this will benefit hundreds of thousands of Nepalese migrants and their families each year," Norma Kang Muico said. "It is imperative that the Government of Nepal acts to protect its citizens abroad which can also benefit Nepal's economy," she said. "The government must end impunity for rogue recruitment agencies and fully enforce the Foreign Employment Act," she said. Amnesty International also called on the government to do more to ensure that compensation mechanisms are accessible and effective. "Many migrant workers are in the dark about their rights and don't know who they can turn to for help. Nepalese authorities must ensure those working abroad and their families are properly informed about the migration process," she said.

Background

Between September 2010 and May 2011, Amnesty International interviewed 149 returned or prospective migrant workers and met seven recruitment agencies and numerous government officials. Official figures show 294,094 Nepalese migrated abroad for work in 2010, compared with 55,025 in 2000. The majority go to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to work in construction, manufacturing and domestic work. True figures are thought to double this amount. Nepal is one of the world's least developed countries. 42 per cent of Nepal's population of nearly 30 million people lives below the poverty line and the latest available figures for 2008 listed the unemployment rate at 46 per cent.

Representatives from various sections of life urged Nepal Government to end increasing impunity as soon as possible. In a talk program titled 'Nepal: Heading Towards Full-Spectrum of Impunity' organized by Amnesty International Nepal on the occasion of 63 International human rights day on 8th of December, speakers emphasized the seriousness of the injustice and impunity in Nepal.

Addressing to the program Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kedar Nath Upadhyaya suggested the government to implement recommendations of the NHRC. He added that as many as 345 complaints were filed in the NHRC during the last year while it conducted monitoring for 179 on the human rights situation including child rights, women's rights, displacement, and of prisoners and detainees.

On the occasion, Former Speakers Daman Nath Dhungana said, impunity is everywhere and the government is not much serious about the issue. Similarly, President of Madhesi People's Rights Forum Upendra Yadav said that there are many criminal people within the government and it is helping to expand impunity.

Leader of Unified Nepal communist Party Maoist (UCPN-M) Amik Sherchan said "We should not think to keep all the cases in same basket." He added that political incidents should address differently. Nepali Congress Leader Bhim Bahadur Tamang said that there is impunity everywhere and it is sorrowful matter for the "new Nepal".

On the occasion, Shekh Chand Tara, Chairperson of National Women Commission, Durga Shob, Women and Dalit rights defenders, Hom Kanta Chaulagain Chairperson of Human Rights and peace society, Hem Kumar Khadka Chairperson, Rashmila Bhochhibhoya, Secretary General, Lokesh Dhakal and Krishna Kandel Advisors and Rameshwar Nepal Director of AI Nepal also shed light on the topic. There was participation of over 550 people in the program who had represented different section of the society.

Amnesty International is expressing its concern over the deepening trend of impunity in Nepal since long time. Impunity persisted for perpetrators of human rights abuses during the conflict. The authorities failed to implement court-ordered arrests of accused of offences involving human rights violations, which heads country towards 'full spectrum' of impunity.

The families of conflict victims of Nepal warned to Nepal Government that if their demands are not addressed, or if the bills are passed by removing the victims' right to justice, they will be compelled to reject.

In a press conference organized on 28 November,2011 by the Transitional Justice Advocacy Group, victims' families further added that 'Any kind of provisions such as pardon, amnesty, case withdrawal, etc. for any incidents constituting serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law will not be acceptable to us.'

They have further demanded that the bills regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on the Disappeared – which are now being considered at the Constituent Assembly – should be passed in a manner that will bring to light the truth and will ensure justice to victims.

The conflict victims and their family associations have expressed deep concerns that all parties, the political parties in particular, were not serious about this process. 'Any law or mechanism lacking the minimum international human rights
standards aimed at establishing truth and delivering justice will not be acceptable to us' they said.

Victims' families added –'A public process should be determined for selecting Commissioners in an independent, impartial, transparent and competitive manner, bearing in mind the best international practices in order to guarantee the independence of the Commissions and to maintain their propriety'.

'A special provision should be made in both bills to ensure the protection of victims and witnesses in order to secure their cooperation', they demanded .

They further said that once established, the two Commissions should act in an integrated manner. Since there maybe confusion, duplication and different approaches undertaken by the Commissions, clarity regarding their work is essential. Arrangements should be made from the beginning to run these Commissions simultaneously by minimizing duplication in their work.

On the occasion, Chairperson of National Network of Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal(NEFAD) RamKumar Bhandari, sister of UjjanKumar shrestha killed by the UCPN(Maoist) Constitutional Assembly(CA) member Balkrishna Dhungel , Sabitri Shrestha, representative of Atanka Pidit Tuhura Samaj (CVOS Nepal) Phanindra Luitel, representative of Conflict victim Society for Justice Dipak Thakuri shed light about their problems.

The Transitional Justice Advocacy Group is a single voice of many national and international human rights organizations along with Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR), Amnesty International and others.

1. The families of conflict victims have been struggling for justice and truth for incidents of human rights violations committed during the armed conflict. Their organisations and the human rights community has constantly been advocating for these problems to be addressed. They have further demanded that the bills regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on the Disappeared – which are now being considered at the Constituent Assembly – should be passed in a manner that will bring to light the truth and will ensure justice to victims. They have expressed deep concerns that all parties, the political parties in particular, were not serious about this process. Any law or mechanism lacking the minimum international human rights standards aimed at establishing truth and delivering justice will not be acceptable to us. We warn in advance that if our demands are not addressed, or if the bills are passed by removing the victims' right to justice, we will be compelled to reject them.

2. We strongly demand that the following demands be fulfilled to ensure rights to truth and justice:

(a) Regarding Pardons: Any kind of provisions such as pardon, amnesty, case withdrawal, etc. for any incidents constituting serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law will not be acceptable to us. Furthermore, incidents of sexual violence should be added to the list of incidents for which pardon cannot be granted. No attempts should be made to remove any such incidents from the list. In this regard, the Government of Nepal should respect its commitments made to the victims' families, civil society and the human rights community during its discussions, consultations, etc. on the granting of pardons or amnesties.

(b) Regarding Independence of the Commission: A public process should be determined for selecting Commissioners in an independent, impartial, transparent and competitive manner, bearing in mind the best international practices in order to guarantee the independence of the Commissions and to maintain their propriety.

(c) The role of the Attorney General: A provision should be made to review the right of Attorney General to decide whether or not to prosecute serious crimes. This should be made in view of the need to investigate incidents of serious crimes in an independent and impartial manner, and to prosecute the perpetrators involved.

(d) Regarding the protection of victims and witnesses: A special provision should be made in both bills to ensure the protection of victims and witnesses in order to secure their cooperation. Any victim or witness who wishes to name any perpetrator in course of giving his or her statement should be informed of the provisions in place regarding their protection. Similarly, regarding other crimes,arrangement should be made to ensure the security of victims in relation to the pressures that may be exerted on them by perpetrators. Special arrangements should be made for the custody of evidence obtained during the investigations, and a public record office should be established to ensure access to this information in the future.

(e) Provision of information to family members: Arrangements should be made to inform the members of conflict-affected families of the venue, date and time of public hearings and of the establishment of the Commission and its procedures. They should also be informed of any report to be prepared by the Commissions following the expiry of their terms of office.

(f) Regarding exhumations: As the bill contains a provision on exhumations to be carried out by the Commission in order to establish facts regarding incidents, a law should be formulated on this process, consistent with international standards and best practices. The Commission should proceed with exhumations-related work, provide information on every development and in so doing ensure participation in the process.

(g) Regarding the statute of limitations: There should be a provision that clearly states that there will be no statute of limitations for prosecutions in relation to recommendations made by the Commissions. Arrangements should be made in the Constitution that retrospective legal principles will not apply to incidents of human rights violations committed during the armed conflict.

(h) Release of reports: Arrangements should be made to immediately release the reports of the Commissions to the families of the victims and to the general public. The names of perpetrators should be mentioned in the reports with the agreement of the victims.

(i) Coordination between the Commissions: Once established, the two Commissions should act inan integrated manner. Since there maybe confusion, duplication and different approaches undertaken by the Commissions, clarity regarding their work is essential. Arrangements should be made from the beginning to run these Commissions simultaneously by minimizing duplication in their work.If the above demands are not addressed in a just manner, and if attempts are made to deprive us of justice under the pretext of seeking truth and reconciliation, such truth without justice will not only be called into question, but this will not be acceptable to us. The community of victims will be compelled to reject such meaningless transitional justice laws and mechanisms.

With solidarity,
The Transitional Justice Advocacy Group

Over 25, 000 signatures submitted to government demanding ratification of the Rome Statute

Nepal government said it is positive to get the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court (ICC) ratified. Meeting with a delegation of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal on 6 November 2011 at his office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha repeated that commitment of Nepal government as by the previous government Ministers.

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha further said that the government is committed to end every form of impunities flourishing in the country and improve the situation of human rights inside the country. He also assured that the incumbent government would hold required discussions with all concerned parties and move ahead.
The delegation led by AI Nepal's General Secretary Rashmila Bhochhibhoya also handed over more than 25,000 signed letters demanding accession of the Rome Statue. AI Nepal had launched a letter writing Action in May this year and it collected signatures across the countries in support of local AI Group and Youth Networks.

Secretary General Bhhochhibhoya highlighted about the urgency of accessing on the Rome Statute and concern of AI Nepal on it. During the meeting, AI Nepal underlined the importance of accession of the Statute to deliver justice through International Court, as impunity was mounting in the country during the ongoing transitional period.

By ratifying, the government would accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute future crimes (committed after ratification), if Nepal's authorities or courts are unable or unwilling to do so.AI Nepal's delegation was comprises of Advisors Krishna Kandel and Lokesh Dhakal, Deputy General Secretary Rajan Kuinkel, Treasurer Surya Bahadur Adhikari, National Executive Committee Member Pratap Poudel and Campaign Officer Bhola Bhattarai.

Altogether 119 nations have already ratified the Rome Statute. In South Asia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Maldives have ratified it.The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent tribunal, which prosecutes individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crime of aggression. The court, established on July 17, 1998 in Rome, was formally established in the Hague, the Netherlands.

In 2006, Nepal's parliament unanimously adopted a resolution urging the government to ratify the Rome Statute. However, no action has been taken so far despite of repeated public commitment of sitting government.

Concern on rights of human rights defenders and journalists

Amnesty International Nepal is continuously organizing campaign on human rights situation of Sri Lanka as a part of Amnesty international's global campaign.

AI Nepal Group-34, Kathmandu organized a talk program on 30th of September 2011 related to the poor human rights situation of Sri Lanka. On the occasion, speakers urged to the Government of Sri Lanka to bring into account to those who attacked human rights defenders and journalists. Speakers also urged to end the existing impunity in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Krishna Kandel advisor of AI Nepal, Prakash Bhandari former central committee member of AI Nepal, Uttam Sapkota Co-ordinator of Appeal Committee of AI Nepal and Convenor of Group-34, Kathmandu Sabita Shrestha, expressed their views regarding the purpose of the program. The program was organized under the global campaign of Amnesty International. On the occasion, various information materials also distributed to the participants. Amnesty International is now organizing campaign urging to take measures to address the grievances of past conflict.

Online Action

The participants of the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal held on 21 October 2011 in Nepalgunj,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.

Demonstrations in eastern and western Nepal

Various groups affiliated to Amnesty International Nepal organized demonstration and talk program urging to the concern authorities of Malaysia for the upliftment of the human rights situation of migrant workers.Nishandip Group-1, Dhankuta organized a demonstration program in Dhankuta district, eastern Nepal urging to the authorities of Malaysia to take action to end widespread workplace and police abuses of the Nepalese migrant workers. Many local people actively participated on the occasion.

Demonstrators took plea-cards and banner on their hand and walk around the local market. The program was coordinated by Thakur Prasad Baral Convenor of the Local AI Group. After the demonstration program a talk program also held .On the occasion Local political leaders, teachers, students, journalists and general people actively participated. Dr. Gopal Bahadur Bhattarai, campus chief of local Dhankuta multiple campus was the chief guest of the function.

Similarly, Group-27, Lamjung from western Nepal also organized a demonstration program on 21 of September 2011, urging to the Malaysian authorities to end existing abuses to Nepalese migrant workers.Migrant workers including Nepalese are critical to Malaysia's economy, but they systematically receive less legal protection than other workers. So, Amnesty International is organizing worldwide campaign for the rights of migrant workers.

Chief speaker on Rome Statute issue

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Nepal, Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction Nepal and World Vision Advocacy Forum organized an interaction program making chief guest to Rameshwar Nepal Director of Amnesty International Nepal on 29 December,2011.On the occasion, Dr. Teeka Prasad Pokhrel chair person of World Vision Advocacy Forum and advocate Dinesh Tripathi also shed light about the subject matter.

Signature collection in Nepalgunj

AI Nepal organized a signature collection program on 20 october,2011 urging Nepal Government to ratify the Rome Statute.The chief guest of the program was Keshav Prasad Mainali judje of Appeal Court of Banke .

Group-35,Kathmandu

AI Nepal organized a signature collection program on 16 July,2011 urging Nepal Government to ratify the Rome Statute.

Group-58,Birtamod

AI Nepal organized a signature collection program on 16 July,2011 urging Nepal Government to ratify the Rome Statute.

Training about advocacy

Amnesty International Secretariat organized a training program in Kathmandu related to the migrant rights.On the occasion Norma Kang Muico,Researcher of AI about migrant rights,Mike Kaye consultant and others informed the participants about the various perspectives of migrant rights and method of complain to get the rights.

Joint Program

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Nepal and Conflict Victim Society for Justice organized a joint program in Kathmandu to observe the International Human Rights Day 10 December,2011.On the occasion, There was a separate presentation about Amnesty International.During the session Rameshwar Nepal ,Director of AI Nepal and Ranjana Thapa representative from OHCHR Nepal answered the questions raised by the participants.

Likewise,Various Groups and Youth Networks affiliated to AI Nepal organized different program to celebrate the International Human Rights Day. Details are as follows:

On the occasion of International Day of the Disappeared Various Groups and Youth Networks affiliated with AI Nepal organized different programs urging Government to search for the disappeared and relief for the victims. Details are as follows:

Various Groups and Youth networks affiliated to AI Nepal organized signature collection program urging to the Government of Nepal to ratify Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR).Brief news are as follow:

Various Groups and Youth Networks affiliated to AI Nepal organized different programs on children related issue.Details are as follow:

Groups and Youth Networks affiliated to AI Nepal organized various programs in the different parts of the country. Details are as follow: