Major Activities (1999-2000)
- August 10, 1999. A demonstration was held, opposing the delay on
forming the National Human Rights Council (NHRC). Thirty HURPES
members and others were arrested and released four hours later
- September 14, 1999. A talk programme on "Fundamental Freedoms
and Culture of Peace" was held in the context of UN International
Day of Peace.
- September30, 1999. A demonstration was organized in Kathmandu
focusing on the theme "Peace is a Human Right."
- October 1 and 2, 1999. The second National Council meeting of
HURPES was held in Kathmandu. 116 HURPES members from different
committees attended.
- November-December 1999. Human Rights Awareness drama tour with
SARWANAM traveled East to West and performed in 40 districts in
Nepal. The focus of the dramas was child rights and peace.
- November-December 1999. 23 talk programmes were held in 23
districts focusing on human rights and peace, the situation of
children in Nepal, non-violence and culture of peace.
- December 1999. Having received recognition for the election
observation from the Election Commission of Nepal, HURPES made
observations of three by-elections of Parliament in Rautahat, Jhapa
and Morang districts.
- December 9- 12, 1999. Chairperson Krishna Pahadi and Treasurer
Suresh Chandra Pokharel fasted for 4 days to demand the immediate
formation of the NHRC.
- January 21,2000. A four-member research mission was sent to
Achham district to research the reported killings of nine people by
police.
- February 2000. A press conference was organized and the
findings of the research were made public.
- February 21, 2000. HURPES organized a talk programme on "Human
Rights and Peace in the Context of Nepal". The programme was
addressed by Pierre Sane, Secretary General (SG) of Amnesty
International as well as by other prominent speakers.
- February-March 2000. A Social Equality Awareness Campaign that
focused on the human rights of Dalit people was organized. The
street drama "Khandahar" that opposed "untouchability" and
discrimination was performed in 51 places, East to West in 50
districts in Nepal. Open-air meetings were also held prior to the
performances.
- February-March 2000. 23 talk programmes were organized in 22
districts on human rights movement for social justice, social
equality and for the protection of human rights and campaign against
"untouchability".
- March 17 2000. A five-member research mission was sent to
Rukum district to conduct research on the reported killings of 15
people by police.
- March 29, 2000. The report of the research was made public by
organizing a press conference in Kathmandu.
- April 21, 2000. A talk programme was organized on "National
Security Council and NHRC."
- April-May 2000. 23 human rights seminars against torture were
held in 23 districts, 1049 people participated including judges,
lawyers, representatives of the police, political parties, and local
administration.
- May 28, 2000. A five-member research mission was sent to the
Kailali district to conduct research on the reported killings of six
people, by police.
- June 1, 2000, a talk programme "Peace is Human Right" was
organized on the occasion of the HURPES anniversary.
- June 4, 2000. A press conference was organized and the report
of the research about the killings in Kailali was made public.
- May-June 2000. 18 training/workshops were held in 18 districts
in the context of the International Year for the Culture of Peace.
The training/workshops, participated by 610 people, had a focus of
peaceful campaigning for the culture of peace.
- on 15-18 May 2000, HURPES participated in an Asia Pacific
conference on the use of children as soldiers held in Kathmandu
organized by the coalition to Stop The Use of Child Soldiers.[10
International organizations including AI, Human Rights Watch ,
Defense for children International, International Save the Children
Alliance ,formed this coalition]. Krishna Pahadi ,Chairperson of
HURPES was also elected in the international steering committee of
the coalition [representing Asian Coalition
- HURPES members attended and addressed in many programs organized
by different national and international organizations, including
Human Rights and foreign affairs committee of Parliament , social
Justice committee of Parliament .Held meetings with several
Ministers and head of the different institutions.
- Imparted two training to Senior police officers. at the request
of National Police Academy.
- Besides these, the district committees of HURPES have organized
different programs addressing various aspects of organizational
concerns.
- Three edition of Peace Journals were published during the year.
Joint Activities (1999-2000)
- August 20, 1999. 13 HROs including HURPES organized a sit-in
demanding the immediate formation NHRC. Thirty-four HR activists
were arrested and released four hours later.
- August 24, 1999. A press conference was organized jointly by 14
HROs.
- August 25, 1999. Demanding the immediate formation of NHRC, 14
HROs organized a demonstration. Thirty HR activists were arrested
and released two hours later.
- September 3, 1999. 14 HROs organized a demonstration in
Kathmandu.
- 8 and 9 September,1999. A 24-hour fasting was observed by 15
HROs demanding the immediate formation of NHRC.
- September 17, 1999. A sit-in was organized by 16 HROs in front
of the Prime Minister's residence demanding the immediate formation
of NHRC.
- May 5, 2000. A joint campaign of HROs was launched to oppose
the discrimination against Chamar Dalits in Siraha district and the
atrocities against them. During the campaign, the HR activists sat
with Chamar Dalits in their village and had lunch cooked by them. A
four-hour sit-in, in protest to the discrimination and atrocities
was held in front of district administration office. A demonstration
was organized in the district and an open-air meeting was held.
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