Major Activities 2002-3

Human Rights & Peace Society

Sixth National Council Meeting

Summary of annual activities report of the central executive committee [CEC ]

[17 July 2002-16 July 2003]

1. Membership: In the stipulated period, the CEC provided membership to the 777 new applicants who accepted the statute and policies of HURPES and paid necessary membership fee. In this period , 671 existing members renewed their membership , bringing the current total registered membership of HURPES to 1448. The accumulated number of people taking membership of HURPES since its inception has reached 2806.

2. District Branches [Committees]: 10 new district committees [DC] have been formed and received the recognition by the CEC during this period taking the total number of DCs to 56. The new DCs are as follows:

a] Lalitpur b] Kavrepalanchowk c] Dhading d] Sindhuli e] Doti f] Kanchanpur g] Dadeldhura h] Baitadi i] Ilam j] Rurkum

Due to inaction of Pyuthan District Branch which was formed on June 2000, HURPES CEC decided to recommend to sixth national council meeting closing Pyuthan District branch.

3. District General Meeting [annual]:  In this stipulated period, 54 district branches [DCs] of HURPES organized district annual general meeting as per district by-laws.

4.National Council Meeting: The fifth national council meeting [NCM] of HURPES which is apex decision making body of HURPES  took place in Chitwan on  27-28 September 2002 with the main slogan of "Non-violence ,fundamental freedom and Social justice". Fifth national council meeting was inaugurated by Ross Daniels, honorary member of HURPES and veteran human rights defender. The council meeting honored freedom fighter Maheswor Lal Shrestha who contributed for democracy peace and human rights for more than 5 decades, a resident of Chitwan. Makawanpur and Kapilvastu branch of HURPES were awarded as best branches of HURPES for the year 2001-2002.

231 delegates and observers participated the council meeting, passed CEC annual activities report, account audit report and financial report, annual plan and budget and 11 resolutions. The meeting also unanimously elected Krishna Pahadi, Sanat Acharya, Suresh Chandra Pokhrel, Hom Kanta Choulagai and Kumar Ghimire respectively as Chair person, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer of CEC. Similarly Miss Shanti Neupane, Tek Bahadur Sharki, Krishna Chandra Choudhari and Udhava Bahadur Lohani were unanimously elected as members of CEC. Purusottam Dahal , founder member of HURPES was appointed as advisor of CEC. The CEC later co-opted Narayan Dutta Kandel and Ravindra Haumikha as members of CEC. Except travel cost, all the expenses of council meeting was borne by host Chitwan branch.

5. Centarl Executive Committee [CEC] Meeting: Ten CEC meetings [including one emergency meeting] were held during this period. No CEC member has claimed for the transportation expenses and daily allowances incurred.

6. Appointment of National Coordinators: For the year 2002-2003, CEC appointed 24 coordinators on different theme, and one jointly meeting of CEC members and coordinators was held in this year. Fortnightly mailing has been started to provide to coordinators also.

7. National Secretariat [NS]: At the national secretariat, 5 staff members are working.  Dilli Ram Dhakal has been appointed as Director of HURPES as well as Pramod Pokharel as account officer this year.

8. Library: The peace society library located at the central office of the organization presently has 1140 books including journals.

9. Transparency: Following the organization's policy of transparency, the account and audit report, annual activities report of the year 2001-2002 were made public through press. While doing this it was also made public that if there were any queries of the press, the office of the organization could be contacted with in three days to obtain further information. As a part of maintaining internal transparency, all the decisions of CEC, information /report about programs and other documents were communicated to all district committees, CEC members, coordinators, founders and members of the membership appeals committee through regular fortnightly mailings.

10.Financial Assistance: In the fiscal year 2002-2003, Finland based Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights[KIOS] provided  HURPES with a financial assistance worth  Nepalese Rupees 16,72 435 [Euro 20,000, Twenty thousands,] for one project.

As per the policy of transparency, the organization made public through the press about the provider of the fund, targeted programs and the amounts too.

11. Research Missions/visit: HURPES conducted 5 research missions/visits in this period on the incident of extra -Judicial and indiscriminate killings and made public the report including Kaleswor of Lalitpur, Khopasi of Kavre, Gwalichour of Baglung, Laxmipur of Dang, Kahule of Nuwakot

12. Campaigns: The organization ran 8 campaigns during this period which are as follows:

            A] Campaign for free and fair election: 7 colloquia organized on "role and responsibilities of concerned bodies for free and fair election" in connection to ongoing general election. Later the election was postponed

            b] Campaign against Regression: half dozen programs were organized as part of the campaign against regression. HURPES members were arrested on November 9, 2002 during a protest demonstration against Royal proclamation of October 4, 2002 in which the King took power and introduced active monarchy.

            c] 54th International Human Rights Day: HURPES, CEC   organized 7 days long programs on the occasion of 54th human rights day while district committees organized several programs concentrated on protection of life of civilians.

            d] 3 Plea for supreme welfare of humanity: HURPES organized 41 colloquia in 41 districts of Nepal from 20th December2002-18 January 2003 under the slogan of "Three pleas for supreme welfare of humanity".3 main headings of the programs were "People should be protected not killed, protection of development infrastructure not destroyed, and Rule of law not person"

            e] Campaign for the creation of advance democratic society: When the cease fire [truce] declared on 29 February2003, between Government of Nepal and NCP [Maoist], HURPES organized symposia in 36 district of Nepal urging "to contribute for the creation of advanced democratic system"

            f] Membership development campaign: HURPES organized 50 membership development training/workshop in 50 district of Nepal under the theme of "Peaceful campaign for the culture of Peace" in March/April 2003.

            g] Campaign for Peace: HURPES organized 16 peace demonstrations in 16 districts of Nepal with slogan of "Peace is our right".

            h] Time Movement: HURPES launched time movement in Nepal last year. As per this campaign HURPES organized all of its programs at   fixed time and also made request other organizations/ bodies to follow same pattern.

13. Programs: The programs organized by HURPES, CEC are as follows:

            1. On 29 August, 2002, a symposium was organized in Kathmandu       by        HURPES         CEC on    "Role and responsibilities of concerned           bodies for the   free and fair election"

2. On 21 September 2002, CEC organized 12 hrs fast focusing on "Non violence and Peace" at Bhadrakali of Kathmandu on the occasion of International Day of Peace

3. On 26 September 2002 a talk program was organized at  Nawalparasi on" Human Rights Education for Human Rights Culture"

4. On 26 September 2002, a peace demonstration was held in Chitwan.

5. The fifth national council meeting [Annual General Meeting] of HURPES was held on 27-28 September 2002 at Narayangarh in Chitwan district. The slogan of the AGM was "Non violence, Fundamental freedom and Social justice" in which 231 delegates and observers had participated.

6. On 29 September 2003, a talk program was organized in Birgunj, Parsa district of Nepal on "Human Rights Peace and Democracy". The honorary member of HURPES Ross Daniels had addressed the program.

7.A talk program was organized in Hetauda , Makawanpur district of Nepal on "Human Rights, Peace and Democracy" on 30 September.

8. On 3 October 2002, a 3 member delegation of HURPES met with the then Prime Minister of Nepal and discussed on different aspects of human rights and peace issues.

9. On 4 October2002 HURPES organized a talk program on "International and Nepal Perspective: Solutions to Terrorism" in Katmandu.

10. On 26 October 2002 a four members research mission of HURPES was reached   at Kaleshwor in Lalitpur district of Nepal and conducted research in connection to the killing of four persons by security forces on 23 October 2002 and the report was made public.

11. On 29 October 2002, HURPES organized press conference in Katmandu.

12. On 7 November 2002 a reception was organized in Katmandu .

            13. On 9 November 2002 a protest demonstration was organized in      Kathmandu,      demanding protection of democratic rights and    opposing   the   Royal proclamation of   October 4, 2002 in which the    King took power and             introduced active monarchy.

  Meanwhile 11 HURPES member were arrested and released after an hour.

14. On 27 November 2002 a research mission consist of two members of HURPES was conducted research at Gwalichaur in Baglung district of Nepal in connection to the indiscriminate killings of six people on 11 November 2002 and published the report.

15. On 1st December 2002 an interaction program on "Right to life: Human Right" was held in Katmandu.

16. On 2nd December 2002 an interaction program was organized in Bhaktpur focusing on necessity of "Human Rights and Peace University"

17. On 5 December 2002 an interaction program on "The Role of Human Rights Defenders for the protection of fundamental freedom" was held at Banepa in Kavre.

18. On 5 December 2002 an interaction program on "Human Rights, peace and Democracy" was held in Lalitpur.

19. On 6 December 2002 an interaction program on "The Rule of Law not Person" was organized in Katmandu.

20. On 7 December 2002 a five members research mission of HURPES was conducted  research  at Laxmipur V.D.C in Dang district  of Nepal  in connection to the killing of nine persons  by the security forces on 4 December 2002 and a report entitled "The indiscriminate killings in Dang :  Playing with the life of people." was made public

21. On 9 December 2002 a sit in program was organized in Katmandu urging   to ensure democratic rights and to respect fundamental freedoms.

22. On 10 December 2002, a 9 hrs fast program was organized in Kathmandu   opposing the extra judicial killings and killings of innocent people by both the Government and Maoist.

23. On 14 December 2002 a four members research mission of HURPES was conducted research at Kahule in Nuwakot district of Nepal in connection to the indiscriminate killings of five persons and a report was made public.

24. On 4 October 2002 a two members research mission of HURPES was carried study at Khopasi area in Kavre district of Nepal in connection to the killing of three persons by security forces and a report was made public.

            25.  HURPES organized 41 colloquia in 41 districts of Nepal from        20th December2002-18           January 2003 under the slogan of "Three            pleas for supreme welfare of humanity".3 main   headings of the programs were "People should be protected not killed, protection of     development infrastructure not destroyed, and Rule of law not             person" HURPES CEC            organized program in Ilam while rest 40             organized by district committees of HURPES.

            26 .HURPES organized 39 symposia in 36 districts of Nepal urging       to contribute   for          the creation of advance democratic society: In this        connection, CEC organized programs in            6 districts while district branches organized 33 in   February- March 2003.

27. On 8-11 March 2003, HURPES   organized 4 days Training of Trainers /workshop in Nagarkot, Nepal   in which 96 members participated.

28. HURPES organized 50 membership development training/ workshop in 50 districts of Nepal in March 20-11 April 2003, focusing on human rights, peace, democracy and non-violence.

29. HURPES organized 16 Peace demonstrations in 16 districts of Nepal in April- May 2003.

30. HURPES organized talk program on" human rights issues in the context of movement for democratic rights" on 15 May 2003.

31. On 20 May 2003, HURPES organized a sit-in protesting Government atrocities during joint peoples movement launched by 5 major democratic political parties.

32. On 1st June 2003, HURPES organized a demonstration against regression with black Mask in Kathmandu.

33. On 2nd June 2003, HURPES organized a discussion program in Kathmandu on "Human rights movement and current challenges" to mark its seventh anniversary day.

34. On 11 June 2003, HURPES organized a discussion program in Kathmandu on "Refugee problem and Policy of Nepal"

35. On 26th of June 2003, HURPES organized an interaction program on "Torture and Impunity in Nepal" to mark UN international day in support of victims of torture.

14. Joint Program: On 22 May 2003, Major Human Rights        Organizations of Nepal including HURPES organized a 3 hours sit-in          and demonstration in Kathmandu in support of peaceful movement        launched by 5 major democratic parties for restoration of democratic            rights.

15. Publications:

A] A collection of HURPES Statute, by-laws and policies passed by 5 national council meetings.

b] A book on peaceful campaign for the culture of peace.

c] Program description book

d] Research questionnaire book

e] 5th national council meeting material book

f] Peace Journals

g] Report of 5 research missions findings.

h] 3 concept papers on 3 different campaigns

i] Election Observation Report of 1999 general election

16. Participation in International Meetings:

A] On 14 September 2002, Hom Kanta Chaulagai of HURPES participated in a meeting organized by REDRESS on eradication of torture in New Delhi of India

b] Sanat Acharya, Vice Chair of HURPES and Santi Neupane, CEC member   participated in a workshop organized by Quaker Peace and Social Witness in Dhaka , Bangladesh on Peace in South Asia.

17. Press Releases: In this stipulated period, HURPES issued 26 press statements while 2 joint statements issued

18. Participation in other Programs: HURPES actively participated in other organization's program including National Human Rights Commission and National Dalit Commission.

19. Involvement in other Coalition: HURPES is not associated or affiliated with any coalition or joint committee formed by different organizations except Coalition to stop the use of Child Soldiers national coalition. Without consent and approval of HURPES, some Human Rights Organizations publicized HURPES name as involvement in different coalition, in a way which is not healthy.

20. Letter writing: Letter writing was continued in the year to draw attention to different authorities on human rights and peace issues.

21. Imparted Training: HURPES office bearers imparted training twice to Police Officers at the invitation of National Police Training Academy and also imparted training to Chief District Officers [CDO] at the invitation of Nepal Administrative Training Academy.

22. Program organized by District Committees of HURPES [coordinated by CEC only]:

            1.  6 colloquia were organized in 6 districts of Nepal on    "Role and      responsibilities of          concerned             bodies for the free and fair        election" in August 2002.

            2. On the occasion of International Day of Peace, 6 district branches     of HURPES     organized talk programs/interaction on non-violence,   harmony and tolerance on 21    September 2002.

            3. On the occasion of Child Rights day [20 November] 6 district           branches organized       various programs on the rights of child.

            4. On the occasion of International Human Rights Day [10         December] 14 district branches             organized programs on right to life.

            5. HURPES 40 district branches organized 40 colloquia in 40   districts of Nepal from 20th December2002-18 January 2003 under      the slogan of "Three pleas for supreme welfare of humanity".3 main       headings of the programs were "People should be protected not   killed, protection of development infrastructure not destroyed, and         Rule of law not person"

            6.  30 district branches of HURPES organized 33 symposia in 30          districts of Nepal urging            to contribute   for the creation of advance        democratic society in the month of February -   March 2003.

            7.   To mark HURPES anniversary day, 12 district branches     organized programs in   12 districts on human rights and peace on   1 -2      June 2003.

8. On 26th of June 2003, 3 branches of HURPES organized   program focusing on elimination of torture "to mark UN international day in support of victims of torture.

            9. I n this period of one year, 54 district committees of HURPES           convened district annual            general meeting.

            10. except these programs mentioned above, HURPES district              branches organized       various other programs in the context of         contemporary issues.