Summary of annual activities of the Central Executive Committee

Human Rights & Peace Society (HURPES)

12^th National Council Meeting

Summary of annual activities of the Central Executive Committee [CEC]

a) Membership: As per the HURPES statute, as many as 594 persons became the members of the organization this year. Among them, life members are 105 while 489 are the two-year general members. Last year, the number of life members was 102 while 1567 were two-year members. Similarly, the new members for two-year are 320 while renewed are 169 this year. Although the life membership is encouraging one, the two-year membership is significantly low. So, every district committee should be serious towards this.

b) Honorary Membership: Considering his contribution to the human rights in the international level being the General Secretary of the Amnesty International and also the contribution to the Nepal's peace process in the recent years, the Special Representative of the UN General Secretary in Nepal, Ian Martin was provided honorary membership by the HURPES amidst a special function on 4 February 2009.

c) District Branch: There are altogether 64 district committees of the HURPES. Rautahat and Nuwakot district committees which were suspended in the past have been restructured. Similarly, the number of district committees holding annual general meetings is 39.

d) Eleventh National Council Meeting: The Eleventh National Council Meeting of the HURES reelected Purushottam Dahal unopposed as its Chair with various other office bearers and members. The Vice-Chair, General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer of the organization are Hom Kant Chaulagain, Gangadhar Adhikari 'Chintan', Dilli Prasad Sapkota and Radha Ghale while the members are Krishna Chandra Chaudhari, Sthaneshwor Duwadi, Baliram Bishwokarma, Saraswati Sharma 'Jigyashu', Tulsilata Shrestha and Sudip Gautam.

In the Eleventh National Council Meeting, Chairman Subash Nembang released a book, 'Human Rights: Basis of Democracy, Peace and Non-Violence' penned jointly by HURPES Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi and Chair Purushottam. Addressing the inaugural as the Chief Guest, Chairman Nembang opined that the principles of human rights must be honored.

Also addressing the program inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner, Bhoj Raj Pokhrel, were senior leader of the CPN-Maoist Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran', Joint General Secretary of Nepali Congress Arjun Narsingh KC, and Chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shamser Rana. On the occasion, CA Chairman Nembang honored Chief Election Commissioner Pokhrel on behalf of the HURPES by offering him shawl and providing a commendation letter for his successful leadership to hold the elections to the constituent assembly. Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi, INSEC Chair Subodh Raj Pyakurel, AI Nepal Director Rameshwor Nepal, General Secretary of the Indigenous Nationalities and CA member Ram Bahadur Thapamagar, CA member Laxmi Pariyar, former parliamentarian Laxman Raya, and central member Radha Ghale expressed their views that human rights and freedom were the essentials of democracy. The program was presided over by Central Chair Purushottam Dahal.

On the eve of the Eleventh National Council Meeting begun with the theme related to the new constitution, freedom, democracy, and decline in the green house emission, a peace rally was taken to street from New Baneshwor to Maitighar Mandala. Various artistes, literati, journalists, university teachers, teachers, legal practitioners, human rights defenders and the members of the organizing body had participated in the rally. Altogether 227 persons, including representatives from various 36 districts and observers had participated in the Meeting. The Meeting endorsed the annual report presented by General Secretary Hom Kant Chaulagain, economic and auditing reports with action plan of 2009/2010 and estimated budget by Treasurer Bal Ram Aryal. Similarly, in the concluding session of the Meeting, Coordinator of Main Organizing Committee Kumar Raj Subedi and Acting Chair of assisting organizer- Bhaktapur district committee Bhola Adhikari and Lalitpur Chair Bijay Basnet provided token love to participating district committees on behalf of valley district committees. All persons providing economic assistance to hold the Council Meeting were provided commendation letters. Similarly, election officer Ramaji Dahal provided certificates to the newly elected officer bearers and members of the HURPES. On the same day, the new working committee assumed the office.

The Eleventh National Council Meeting had passed five proposals related to the role played to make the CA elections a success, welcome to the federal democratic republic, fundamental liberty and human rights, balance of ecosystem, and workshop on membership promotion. In the Meeting, Karuna Poudel and Tara Acharya conducted tailoring while Bikram Bibas and Nirmala Pandit 'Ghimire' worked as rapporteur. Similarly, Dr Lila Mani Pande was the election assistant. The organizer of the Meeting was Kathmandu district committee while Lalitpur and Bhaktapur district committees were assisting the organizing committee. Myagdi district committee was honored as the best branch of the HURPES this year.

e) CEC Meeting: The Central Working Committee met for six times during this period. As done in the past, all participants of the meeting managed the travel cost themselves.

f) Nomination: In order to give full shape to the newly elected working committee on 27 September 2008, Madan Bahadur Kunwar (Achham), Kumar Raj Subedi (Kathmandu), Ganga Maya Angdambe (Panchthar) and Sita Adhikari (Dhading) were elected as central members as per the chapter 2 (b) CEC bylaws 2058 (with amendment-2063).

Similarly, as per the HURPES statute, 48 convenors have been elected for respective areas. They are- a) Gangadhar Adhikari (Baglung)-campaign, b) Dilli Prasad Sapkotad (Surkhet)-Finance, c) Radha Ghle (Kathmandu)- trade union, d) Krishna Chandra Chaudhari (Mahottari)- Tarai-Madhesh minorities, e) Sthaneshwor Duwadi (Gorkha)-research, f) Saraswati Sharma (Parvat)-writers, g) Tulsi Lata Shrestha (Myagdi)- publication, h) Bali Ram Bishwokarma (Tahnahu)- upliftment sensitive areas, i) Sudip Gautam (Dang)-press, j) Madan Bahadur Kunwar (Achham)-teacher, k) Kumar Raj Subedi (Kathmandu)- membership promotion, l) Ganga Maya Angdembe (Panchthar)-culture sector, m) Sita Adhikari (Dhading)-women, n) Uddhav Lohani (Chitwan)-law, o) Balaram Aryal (Kathmandu)-environment, p)Tej Bahadur Godar (Makwanpur)-training, q) Bharat Prasad Lamsal (Syangja)-university teachers, r) Laxmi Pariyar (Udayapur)- lobbying s) Mahesh Acharya (Kathmandu)-human rights education t) Laxman Raya (Sarlahi)-farmers, u) Kamala Lamichhane (Gorkha)-consumers' sector, v) Pushkar Raj Regmi (Palpa)-volunteer mobilization, w) Parvati Giri (Surkhet)-health, x) Bijay Thakur (Dhanusha)-target group, y) Surya Prasad Dhakal (Kaski)- child rights, z) Durga Baral (Panchthar)-information technology, aa) Pratap Poudel (Baglung)-youth, ab) Bhola Adhikari (Bhaktapur)- industry/entrepreneurship, ac) Punya Prasad Chaulagain (Kathmandu)-social concerns, ad) Bal Bahadur Gahamagar (Lalitpur)-indigenous nationalities, ae) Chhatra Pradhan (Kathmandu)- elderly citizen, af) Bhimananda Dhungana (Kathmandu)-civil society coordination, ag)Mankumari Gurung (Gorkha)-most marginalized area, ah) Shita Sharma (Baglung)-library management, ai) Nirmala Pandit Ghimire (Chitwan)-artistes, aj) Diva Adhikari (Kathmandu)- human rights awareness, ak) Devi Lal Sharma (Kaski)-peace process monitoring, al) Purna Nath Ghimire (Chitwan)-climate change and global warming, am) Govinda Raj Binodi (Nawalparasi)-prison reform, an) Kamala Sharma (Lamjung)- formation of national mechanism and consolidation, ao) Yagya Prasad Dangal (Sindhupalchowk)- security to human rights defenders, ap) Yagya Prasad Upreti (Kathmandu)- disabled's rights, aq) Bishwo Prakash Bastola (Chitwan)- humanitarian law, ar) Sudhir Saha (Mahottari)- good-governance, as) Ganga KC (Lalitpur)- relief, at) Anjana Basukala (Bhaktapur)-international organization/ organization liaison, au) Rameshwor Sedhai (Parsa)-inter-organizational relation, and av) Man Kumari Giri (Paravat)- community.

For 2009/10, Kumar Ghimire (Kathmandu) has been named convenor of membership appeal committee while the members are Indira Prasain 'Dhakal' (Morang), and Mohan Dhital (Dang). Similarly, Krishna Kandel, Rudra Lochan Acharya, Ishwor Sapkota, Uddhav Rayamajhi, Ramaji Dahal, Arun Pande and Jyoti Timilsina have been named editors of a peace journal while Purushottam Dahal the Chief Editor.

g) National Secretariat: As in the previous year, there are three staffs- a senior accounting officer, a program officer and another the office assistant- working in the National Secretariat of the HURPES.

h) Library: The library being run for long showcases 1,620 books. The number last year was 1,551.

i) Peace Journal and Weekly Mailing: The number of fortnightly dispatch limited to 8 this year because the publication and distribution of a book, 'Human Rights: Basis of Democracy, Peace and Non-violence' took most of the time. This number last year was 13. Similarly, the only one peace journal was published due to not having advertisement, and other reasons. It was not positive note, indeed.

j) Economic Assistance and Transparency: Abiding by the organization policy, it has not taken any assistance from the government, non-governmental organizations, foreign agencies and foundations. Rather, the HURPES carried out all of its activities with the fee incurred from the membership distribution, identity card, sales of the publications and the assistance provided by the friends and well-wishers within the organization. The economic assistance provided by the members and well-wishers of the organization to publish the comprehensive book, 'Human Rights: Basis of Democracy, Peace and Non-Violence' co-authored by Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi and Chair Purushottam Dahal was really appreciable matter.

Similarly, as per the HURPES transparency policy, its annual activities, auditing and financial reports and others were made public through press. And the press and others, if willing to acquire any information about the organization, were urged to contact the head office.

k) Publication: The HURPES published a comprehensive book, 'Human Rights: Basis of Democracy, Peace and Non-Violence' which has not only included all 13-year deeds of the organizations but also compiled important the universal principles of human rights, democracy, peace, and non-violence. The publication of this book is taken as a significant achievement of the organization. This book would help form economic foundation of the organization and get garner information on multifarious aspects of human rights, democracy, peace, and non-violence which is useful not only for all district committees but for the learners of other faculties too. Altogether 110 persons provided assistance for the publication of this book. The list of those is published in the very book.

l) Campaign/Research: Non research was conducted this year however some campaigns. The campaigns were launched since the International Human Rights Day, Mangsir-5, 2065, with the slogan, "Include Child Rights in New Constitution". The campaign was focused in schools.

m) Program: Altogether 11 programs were held this year. They are:

i) Peace Day: On the occasion of the International Peace Day, a talk program on 'Fundamental Liberty for Peace' on September 21 (Ashoj 5). As the Chief Guest in the program, Minister for Peace and Reconstruction and leader of the CPN-Maoist Janardan Sharma expressed his views that peace was the need of hour. Similarly, CPN-UML leader Ishwor Pokhrel, Central Member of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Upendra Kumar Jha, Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Ramaji Dahal, and former secretary of Nepal Governement Ghananath Ojha and Central Member of the HURPES Radha Ghale expressed their views at the program. Also speaking at the program presided over by Chair Purushottam Dahal, Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi said every sector should work honestly for the establishment of durable peace. Similarly, General Secretary Homkant Chaulagain delivered welcome speech.

ii) Non-Violence Day: Marking the Non-Violence Day, the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi endorsed by the UN, the HURPES organized an interaction program on 'Non-Violence and Human Rights' on October 2, 2008. General Secretary of the Nepali Congress and parliamentarian Bimalendra Nidhi was the Chief Guest of the program. Central Member of the UCPN-Maoist and CA Member Dina Nath Sharma, CA members Rajendra Khetan and Laxmi Pariyar, SINAS Director Professor Dr Yagya Prasad Adhikari, former chairman of Press Council Nepal Rajensdra Dahal and intellectual Binod Bhattarai expressed their views on non-violence.

At the program presided over by Chair Purusthottam Dahal, Vice-Chair Homkant Chaulagain shed light on the topic while General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari delivered welcome speech.

iii) Tolerance Day: On the occasion of the Tolerance Day (November 16) declared by the UNESCO, the HURPES organized an interaction on 'Principles of Tolerance and Nepali Society'. Speaking at the interaction held at HURPES central office, Nepal National Committee Chairman of World Hindu Federation Damodar Gautam, Secretary of Inter-religious Council Keshav Chaulagain, General Secretary of Nepal Medical Association Dr Badri Narsing KC, former chairman of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri, legal experts Bhimarjun Acharya, Tika Ram Bhattarai and Prakash Raut, DR Dhital and Krishna Binod Dahal of NCOC and Chairman of Pundit Chhabilal Foundation Mukunda Pokhrel among others stressed that the principles of harmony and tolerance should be developed as culture.

At the program presided over by Chair Purushottam Dahal, Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi shed light on the principles of tolerance while Vice-Chair Homkant Chaulagain delivered welcome speech.

iv) Child Rights Day: The HURPES decided to hold interactions on 'Guarantee of Child Rights in New Constitution' in several 50 secondary schools of Kathmandu valley on November 20 (Mangsir 5^th, 2065) to mark the International Child Rights Day. However, the interactions were not held in all 50 schools due to valley banda (general shutdown) on that day. Anyway, the schools where the interactions were held successfully on the very day with maximum participation of students and teachers were- Bal Uddhar Secondary School, Kapan; Machhapuchhre Secondary School, Kalanki; Gyanodaya Secondary School, Bafal, Ganesh Secondary School, Hattigauda; Tej Binayak Secondary Schol, Gothatar; Akashdip Secondary School, Lalitpur; Mahendra Secondary School, Ekantakuna, and Jupiter Secondary School, Tikhildewal. Similarly, the interaction was held in the Gitanjali Higher Secondary School, Sohrakhutte after few days.

v) Disabled Day: A special program was organized jointly by the HURPES, and Nepal Disabled Association at Khagendra Navajiwan Kendra, Jorparti on December 3, 2008 on the occasion of the World Disabled Day. Speaking at the program, CA members- Dugdha Kumari Budha, Chakra Bahadur Thakuri and Indira Gurung, Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi, Chair Purushottam Dahal, Chairman of Nepal Disabled Association Gajedra Lama, Association Chairman in Kathmandu Balram Aryal among others demanded the government to immediately endorse the international convention for the welfare of the disabled person. On the occasion, program coordinator Yagya Upreti presented a 10-point concept of the HURPES on disability.

vi) Volunteers Day: A talk program on 'Volunteering Movement for Durable Peace' was on December 5, 2008. At the program held in the meeting hall of Nepal Bar Association, the speakers stressed on the importance of the role of volunteers at present context. Senior human rights activist Nutan Thapaliya, Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi, CA member Laxmi Pariyar, poet Arjun Parajuli, Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Ramaji Dahal, Convenor of Youth Action Network Manjit Dhakal, Executive Director of All Round Development Centre Dornath Neupane, COCAP Chairman Deepak Bhattarai, President of Nepal Jaycees Dinesh Koirala were the speakers at the program. At the program presided over by Central Chair Purushottam Dahal, Vice-Chair Hom Kant Chaulagain delivered a welcome speech while central member Sita Adhikari presented 10-point concept of the HURPES on good volunteer.

vii) Demonstration/Sit-In: On the occasion of the 60^th International Human Rights Day (December 10), the HURPES had a demonstration and sit-in in front of Prime Minister's residence, Baluwater for an hour from 12:00 noon on 25^th Mangsir, 2065. The slogan of the demonstration was, 'All Human Rights for All for Durable Peace'. Human rights activists associated with various organizations, journalists, legal practitioners, doctor, engineers, university teachers, teachers, artistes and general public had enthusiastic participation in the demonstration. Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi, Chair Purushottam Dahal, Vice-Chair Homkant Chaulagain expressed worries that the peace process was hindered due to not abiding by the comprehensive peace accord on the part of the concerned bodies. They urged the political parties to fully implement the accord in order to end the impunity.

viii) Farewell and Honorary Membership: A special program was organized in the meeting hall of Nepal Bar Association on 4 February 2009 in the context of the completion of the term of office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Nepal, Ian Martin. The Chief Guest at the program was Chairman of the Constitutional Committee and former general secretary of CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal. Including Chief Guest Nepal, UCPN-Maoist Spokesperson Ninanath Sharma, Founding Chair of HURPES Krishna Pahadi, newly appointed Representative of the UNMIN Karin Landgren, FNJ Chairman Dharmendra Jha, and Director of the Amnesty International Nepal Rameshwor Nepal expressed their views at the program while senior human rights activist Nutan Thapaliya, precursor of Bhutanese Human Rights Movement Tek Nath Rijal, poet Arjun Parajuli, Vice-Chairman of Amnesty International Nepal Keshav Sigdel, COCAP Chairman Dipak Bhattarai, HURPES Treasurer Radha Ghale, central member Kumar Subedi, Chairman of Nepal Teachers’ Association Sindhupalchowk Chapter Rudra Lochan Acharya, and Kavre, Bara and Kanchanpur Chairmen of the HURPES Arun Kumar Pande, Hari Thapaliya and Karna Dev Bhatta respectively and Acting Chairman of Bhaktapur district committee Bhola Adhikari, Secretary in Lalitpur Bal Bahadur Gahamagar, Vice-Chairman of Abhinav Literary Society Balram Aryal, former president of Nepal Teachers’ Association Kathmandu Ishwor Sapkota and others offered outgoing Martin bouquet of flowers. Considering his contribution to Nepal’s peace process, Chief Guest Nepal offered Martin a shawl while Narahari Acharya a cap and Dinanath Sharma a garland on the occasion.

At the same function, Martin was conferred on life membership of the HURPES. The membership was provided by the Central Chair Purushottam Dahal. Not to forget, the HURPES had earlier provided honorary membership of the organization to Roya Denials, Harvey Burger, Rory Mugovan and Teknath Rijal considering their contribution to human rights in the international level. At the program presided over by Chair Dahal, General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari delivered a welcome speech and Vice-Chair Homkant Chaulaguain conducted the program.

ix) Rally: A program was held at Shanti Batika, Ratnapark of Kathmandu on the theme, ‘New Constitution: Deadline, Human Rights and Dignity’ and ‘Maintain Civilian Supremacy with Timely Promulgation of Constitution’ on 14 April 2009. Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur district committees of the organization had special participation in the program which was also attended by Founding Chair Krishna Pahadi, former vice-chancellor of Nepal Sanskrit University Professor Madhav Raj Gautam, journalists, legal practitioners, teachers and university teachers. Chair Purushottam Dahal informed that HURPES would keep on campaign in favor of democratization and against militarism and monopolistic people’s system.

x) Talk Programs: In order to exert pressure on concerned bodies to frame constitution on time, the HURPES conducted talk programs in various 11 district with the theme: ‘‘New Constitution: Deadline, Human Rights and Dignity’ and ‘Maintain Civilian Supremacy with Timely Promulgation of Constitution’. The programs were held in Makwanpur, Chitwan, Nabalparasi, Gorkha, Tanhu, Kaski, Dhading, Syangja, Parvat, Baglung and Myagdi districts from April 16-22, 2009. Founding Chair Pahadi, Founding Member Krishna Kandel, Central General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari and Central Youth Coordinator Pratap Poudel had participated in the programs. Similarly, there was the enthusiastic participation of the representatives of political parties, FNJ, Nepal Bar Association and civil society. The expense of the programs was managed by the respective organizing district committees.

xi) Establishment Day: On the occasion of the Establishment Day of the organization, a talk program was organized at the central office on ‘Political Consensus, Harmony in Community and Human Rights’ on 2 June 2009. CPN-UML leader Pradip Nepal, UCPN-Maoist leader Pampha Bhushal, Whip of Nepali Congress parliamentary party Shovakar Parajuli, former member of the National Human Rights Commission Professor Kapil Shrestha, General Secretary of Nepal University Teachers’ Association Rameshwor Upadhyay, INSEC Chairman Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Dr Kedar Narsing KC, Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Ramaji Dahal, and Director of Amnesty International Nepal Rameshwor Nepal expressed their views at the program. Also speaking at the program presided over by Chair Purushottam Dahal were Vice-Chair Homkant Chaulagain, Founding Member Krishna Kandel, Treasurer Radha Ghale and General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari. Kathmandu district committee had provided economic help to conduct the program.

n) Dialogue and Participation: As in the past, the HURPES continued talks with the persons and organizations working in the national and international sector of human rights. Considering the convenience and importance, Founding Chair, Chair, Vice-Chair, General Secretary, Treasurer and members of the HURPES participated in various programs.

o) Time Movement: As per the organization policy, all of its programs were held at the accurate time. Even the district committee might have followed this rule of time movement.

p) Press Release: HURPES drew everyone’s attention on contemporary political situation, violation and abuse of human rights, and violence-related incidents issuing press releases. Altogether 26 press releases were issued this year.