Human Rights and Peace Society

13^th National Council Meeting

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

 ( 2-3 October, 2010 Birendranagar, Surkhet)

(a)   Membership: Although the number of life members of the Society seems satisfactory, the expansion of periodic membership is not that good. It is so because some of the district chapters did not show interest in spite of repeated request and urge while some remained inactive to extend the membership. The total number of this year’s membership- lifetime, periodic, new and renewed- is 1,227.  Out of this, there are 115 life members while 458 new and 654 renewed ones. Merged together the periodic and life members, it was 598 last year where 320 were new, 169 renewed and 105 life members. The total number of life membership at the end of July 2010 is 322 while the total since inception till this period has been 8,051.

(b)   District Chapter: Although the HURPES has 64 district chapters, some have been inactive and some suspended. The suspended district committees are- Dolpa, Pyuthan, Sindhuli, Rukum, Baitadi, Gulmi and Saptari while Jumla Chapter suspended on Baisakha 10 has been activate after its reshuffle on 19 June, 2010. Similarly, altogether 34 district chapters held conference/conventions this year. As per the HURPES statute amended by the Ninth National Council Meeting, a human rights and peace society ‘assisting group’ has been formed in Portugal. The group formed under the coordination of Bhim KC was provided permission for enforcement as per the HURPES central working committee (CWC) meeting held on 19 June, 2010. Even a sub-committee has been formed, consisting of a single member- Homa Kanta Chaulagai- Vice-President of the Society in order to prepare work procedure for the Support group. The sub-committee will submit its assignment at appropriate time.

(c)   Twelfth Annual General Meeting: ‘Political Consensus, Communal Harmony and Human Rights for Independent, Sovereign Civil Supremacy’, the HURPES held its Twelfth Annual General Meeting on 7 November, 2009 at Mahottari district headquarters Jaleshwor.

Altogether 172 persons including Representatives from various 21 district chapters and observers had participated in the meeting. Constituent assembly member from Dhanusha district and Nepali Congress General Secretary Bimalendra Nidhi inaugurated the meeting by lighting twelve candles and also a panas (special lamp) while Minister for Youth and Sports Ganesh Nepali, CA member and HURPES Lobbying Coordinator Laxmi Pariyar, Vice-President Homa Kanta Chaulagai, Mahottari Chapter Chairmanof Nepal Bar Association Bishnu Kumar Saha, district chapter Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists Hari Prasad Mandal, Central Member of the Amnesty International Nepal Dik Prasad Ghimire expressed their views on the occasion. Taj Narayan Yadav of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Tej Narayan Yadav, Komal Yadav of Sadbhavana (Anandidevi) and Muneshwor Raya expressed best wishes to the meeting.

The HURPES honoured 85-year-old Gandhian leader from Sarlahi district, Ram Hari Joshi, an all-time and untiring figure who participated in all democratic movements with unflinching vigor. Similarly, 90-year-old senior journalist Indra Kant Mishra was honoured at the meeting for his unflinching involvement for the freedom of press. Moreover, the Mahottari Chapter felicitated Narendra Mishra and Mahendra Yadav (Khutta Pipradi) for their active participation in the democratic movements. In the inaugural session, among the district chapters of the HURPES- Accham Chapter was provided felicitation letter as the best chapter for its campaign against untouchability while Palpa Chapter for conducting maximum programmes, Rupandehi Chapter for research, Gorkha Chapter for launching new campaign, and Kaski and Sindhupalchowk Chapters for conducting radio programmes on human rights and peace. Chief Guest Nidhi released a souvenir published by the HURPES. On the occasion, he lauded the role HURPES played for the peace, human rights and democracy in the country. Moreover, leader Nidhi expressed his belief that the HURPES would emerge more active in these sectors. Main Organizing Committee coordinator and Mahottari Chapter Chairman Raj Kishor Jha delivered welcome speech at the programme chaired by Central President Purushottam Dahal. Artistes including Rekha Ray performed song at the programme. A minute silence was observed in memory of the late founder chairman of the HURPES Kaski DC - Narayan Prasad Shrestha who died on 24 October, 2009.

A message sent by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav expressing best wishes to the programme was recited where leader Joshi also made public the message of best wishes to the HURPES for its role on democracy and human rights. The National Council Meeting (NCM) discussed and endorsed the report of annual activities prepared by General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari, Finincial report by Treasurer Radha Ghale, and work plan and estimated budget for 2010/011 prepared by Secretary Dilli Prasad Sapkota. Similarly, the NCM passed various seven contemporary proposals as the demands- timely constitution with the guarantee of fundamental rights, communal harmony, end of political confrontation and conflict, adoption of dialogue by the agitating armed groups, formation of permanent mechanism to cope with natural disaster and protection of consumers' rights. Moreover, the proposal was passed laying emphasis on preparing draft on federalism and state restructure for integration but not for disintegration.

It was also decided to mark the International Day of Elderly Citizens on October 1. Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the NCM was democratic leader Narendra Mishra. Thakur Shivakoti and Jiv Lal Kharel were the rapporters whle Tulsi Acharya and Laxmi Baniya tailors. The organizing Chapter provided certificates to all present on the occasion including the tokens of love.

On the eve of the NCM, peace rally was organized at Jaleshwor. People from various professions- journalists, human rights activists, politicos, teachers, lecturers, and others were present in the rally. The organizing District Committees managed lodging and food to the guests while the participating representatives and observers managed their transportation fare on their own.

d) CEC Meeting: The central working committee (CWC) met four times in this year, from 16 July, 2009 to the end of July 2010. The CWC members hailing from Achham to Panchthar districts had to bear the expense on transportation and others. Even the central coordinators were begun to be welcomed as invitees.

e) National Secretariat:  There are three employees- a senior account officer, a programme officer and an office assistant in the national secretariat.

f) Library: There are altogether 1,704 books and magazines/bulletins in the central library. The number last year was 1,620.

g) Peace Journal/Fortnightly Dispatch: Only two issues of the ‘peace journal’ were published this year due to economic and other constraints while there were ten ‘fortnightly dispatches’. We have realized that the publication of peace journal should be bettered in future.

h) Finincial Assistance and Transparency: As in the past, the HURPES maintained its policy of not taking any sort of help from foreign and national organizations and governments. For the money to manage HURPES activities, the interest incurred from the fee charged to the life member, periodic member, money generated from the advertisements published in the peace journal, various publications, and the help by the well wishers and members are used.

Transparency is a significant policy and discipline of the HURPES. As per this policy, auditing report, annual report, economic report, CWC activities and others have been made public through press and these have been sent to the district committees, and central convenors through emails. The press were urged to ask if have any queries regarding these reports following the NCM.

i) Publicity: Although the HURPES was limited on publications and some dispatches regarding its publicity, it has now initiated programme on ‘human rights and peace’ on local FM radios considering the thriving FM radios across the country. Through the programmes aired on FM radios, the people were informed about human rights, democracy, peace, principles of non-violence, the activities of the HURPES in the central and district levels and created awareness on human rights. After the programme was initiated by Kaski and Sindhuplachowk district Committees with the cooperation of local FM radios last year, other FM radios were also urged for voluntary programmes. For this, Central President of HURPEs Purushttam Dahal and other office bearers held discussion with the station mangers and owners of various FM radios regarding this programme. Consequently, nine more FM radios began airing this programme once a week. To this regard, HURPES district committees Surkhet and Radio Surkhet, Birendranagar and Radio Bheri, Dang and Radio Tulsipur, Radio Swargadwari and Ghorahi, Deukhuri FM, Rupandehi and Radio Namanste, Butwal; Nawalparasi and Bijaya FM, Gaidakot; Chitwan and Hamro FM, Bharat; Baglung and Sayapatri FM,Baglung; Kaski and Pokhara, Pokhara; Sindhupalanchowk and Sinhu FM are thanked very much. The concerned radio proprietors are thanked for their cooperation. Even other District committees have been urged to make initiative to launch such programme having cooperation with local FM radios. Similarly, station manager of Radio City, Kathmandu, Dhanendra Bimal has been thanked for composing and providing ‘music’ for the ‘human rights and peace’ programme.

j)  Campaign/Research:  On the occasion of the 61^st International Human Rights Day (10 December, 2009), a campaign on ‘Political Consensus and Communal Harmony: New Constitution on Time with Fundamental Rights’ was launched till 7 April, 2010 issuing a concept paper. The concept paper was made public at a programme on December 10, 2009, Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest and Chairman of Constitutional Committee Nilambar Acharya expressed the view that it had been difficult to expedite the constitution writing process as the major political leaders were not holding discussions on constitution writing. Similarly, CPN-ML General Secretary and CA Member CP Mainali said the constitution could not be drafted until the rights of all are not included. Also speaking on the occasion were UCPN-Maoist leader and CA member Janardan Sharma, Chairman of CA committee on human rights and UML leader Binda Pande, Nepali Congress leader and CA Member Navindra Raj Joshi and RPP leader and parliamentary party leader Prativa Rana.

In the mean time as HURPES decision to mark the International Day of Elderly Citizens on October 1, and women's day on 8 march, HURPES campaigned for the protection and promotion of the rights senior citizens and women's right.

a)      At the Demand to Endorse Rome Statute: The HURPES organized an interaction on ‘End of Impunity and Endorsement of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court’ on 27 July, 2009. Expressing their views at the interaction, Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress Laxman Prasad Ghimire, Co-Convenor of Madhesi Janadhikari Forum Jayprakash Prasad Gupta, former parliamentarian Hom Nath Dahal, INSEC Chairman Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Amnesty International (AI) Nepal Director Rameshwar Nepal, Founding Member of the HURPES Krishna Kandel, Vice-President of Homa Kanta Chaulagai. At the programme chaired by the HURPEs Central President Purushottam Dahal, Treasurer Radha Ghale delivered welcome speech while General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari conducted the programme.

b)       Sit-in to draw Attention: The HURPES staged a sit-in at the south gate of Singha Durbar with the demand ‘End Confrontation: Promulgate Constitution on Time’ on 12 Aug, 2009. The sit-in begun at 2:00 pm sharp was attended massively by the professionals from various sectors as HURPES members, human rights defenders, university teachers, media persons. The persons participating in the sit-in were holding placards reading: seek solution from CA not from street, guarantee freedom of press, implement comprehensive peace accord (CPA), end impunity, begin dialogue, end confrontation, respect people’s right to public health and others. Addressing the sit-in, Founder President Krishna Pahadi urged all political parties to prioritize constitution writing. Similarly, President Dahal said it was fatal to be busy at petty interests and create obstruction on constitution writing process. Vice-President Chaulagain, General Secretary Adhikari also spoke about current politics. Also expressing solidarity to the programme were CA members Kamala Pant, Khim Lal Devkota, Tilak Thapa, Lamxi Pariyar and others.

c)      Talk Programme:  A talk programme on ‘Timely Constitution for Lasting Peace’ was organized by the HURPES 22 September, 2009, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (21, September). Speaking at the programme chaired by Central President of the organization Purushottam Dahal, leaders of various political parties including CPN-ML General Secretary CP Mainali, UML CA member Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Nepali Congress’ Whip Kamala Pant, RPP Chief Whip Prativa Rana, UCPN-Maoist CA Member Ekraj Bhandari, and former parliamentarian Hom Nath Dahal said their parties would not create any obstruction in the timely constitution writing. Also expressing their views on the occasion were- Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Dr Kedar Narsing KC, Secretary of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Ramaji Dahal, HURPES Vice-President Chaulagain, General Secretary Adhikari and Treasurer Ghale. 

d)      Tolerance Day-Dialogue:  An interaction on ‘HURPES’ future programme Including Tolerance’ was held in the HURPES office on 16 November, 2009, on the occasion of the International Tolerance Day (16 November). Speakers at the programme chaired by Central President Dahal were founding member Krishna Kandel, Vice-President Kandel, General Secretary Adhikari, Treasurer Ghale, central member Kumar Raj Subedi, HURPES president in Kathmandu Mahesh Acharya, in Lalitpur Bhikshu Chandra Kirti, in Okhladhunga Toya Nath Kafle, young leader of Nepali Congress Laxmi Prasad Baskota, Chairwoman of Nepal Disabled Women’s Association Nara Kumari Karki, HURPES Coordinator on Disability Yagya Prasad Upreti, and life member Yamuna Kandel.

programme chaired by Central President Dahal, Vice-Chairman Homa Kanta Chaulagai presented a concept paper while General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari delivered welcome speech. The programme was conducted by Education Coordinator of the HURPES Mahesh Acharya. General Secretary of Nepal University Teacher’s Association Rameshwor Upadhyay, Advisor to the Amnesty International Nepal Lokesh Dhakal, Amnesty International Nepal Director Rameshwar Nepal and FNJ Secretary Ramaji Dahal commented on the concept paper.

Various district committees including-Dhanusha, Kalikot, Morgang, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa, Makwanpur, Gorkha, Doti, Chitwan, Nawalparasi (Gaidakot and Bardaghat), Rupandehi, Surkhet, Bardiya (Gulariya, Rajapur and Babai Campus), Dang (Tulsipur, Ghorahi and Lamahi), Nuwakot (Bidur and Ranabhuwaneshwori Campus), Palpa, Parvat, Bagulung, Kavre, Dhading, Kaski, Sindhupalchowk, Achham and Doti launched campaigned on the concept paper. The campaign were attended by Central President Dahal, Vice-President Chaulagain, General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari, Secretary Dilli Prasad Sapkota, Treasurer Ghale  and central members Sthaneshwor Duwadi, Madan Bahadur Kunwar, Kumar Raj Subedi, Sudip Gautam, Saraswati Sharma, Sita Adhikari, Krishna Chandra Chaudhari and others.

The HURPES prepared report on an incident occurred at Dudejhari forest of Kailali district from 4-7 December, 2009. The report was prepared by a probe committee having the Kailali committees Chairman Kadka Bahadur Shahi as its coordinator and former District committee's chairmen Kamal Raj Joshi, Durga Raj Joshi and district committees member Khema Thapa the members. Similarly, a probe committee was formed under the coordination of former chairman of Parsa DC and inter-organization coordinator Rameshwor Sedhai  to investigate in the violent incidents occurred in Bara and Parsa district in Poush 2067 BS. The probe committee had Manoj Kumar Upadhyay and Bara DC Chairman Hari Prasad Thapaliya as its members. The report of the committee was made public.

The report of a committee formed to probe into the violent incidents at various places of Dang district were also made public on the occasion. The committee had Dang DC secretary Sushil Basnet as its coordinator while general secretary Sharad Regmi and member Suresh Shrestha the members. Even the Gorkha DC made public the report of the incidents occurred in the district in Poush 2066 BS. All of them have been thanked.

k) Programmes: The HUPES organized 12 programmes and a campaign from the central level.

e)      Children’s Rights Day

i)        On the occasion of the International Children’s Rights Day (20 November), the HURPES organized an interaction programme on child rights at East Pole Secondary School, Jorpati.

Having the chief speaker central member of the HURPES Kumar Raj Subedi, the School Principal Rajesh Rai welcomed the guests offering shawls. HURPES Coordinator for the rights of disabled people, Yagya Upreti shed light on the international children’s rights and the condition of children. He also informed that the children comprise 40 percent population in Nepal where there are 2.7 billion child labours.

On the occasion, stating that every child has the rights to be disciplined, respected and mature, a 10-point concept paper prepared by the HURPES was made clear. Teacher Ganga Chaulagain stressed that impunity and child labour should be stopped for durable peace. Similarly, CPN-UML leader Krishna Kumar Rai lauded the role of HURPES. The Chief speaker at the programme had responded to the queries raised by the grade 10 students of the school. The programme was presided over by the founding chairman of the school, Ishwor Sapkota.

ii)       On the same occasion, the HURPES Kathmandu DC and Arunima Foundation, Bauddha jointly organized an interaction on ‘Child Rights in New Constitution’ at the premises of Arunima Higher Secondary School, Bauddha. Principal of Arunima Higher Secondary School, Ishwori Prasad Neupane delivered welcome speech at the programme presided over by founder of the school Basu Khanal. On the occasion, HURPES central social coordinator Balaram Aryal shed light on child rights while Kathmandu DC chairman of the HURPES Mahesh Acharya on convention on child rights.  He also furnished replies to the queries raised in the programme.

iii)     The HURPES has been advocating for the violence and torture free school in the new constitution. Various programmes were organized in different schools in the Kathmandu valley where the lyricist of the National Anthem Byakul Maila, HURPES general secretary Gangadhar Adhikari, former secretary of Nepal government Ghana Nath Ojha, Youth Coordinator Pratap Poudel, Lalitpur DC secretary Bal Bahadur Gahamagar expressed their views on the child rights. Even the Ramechhap, Kaski, Palpa, Baglung, Chitwan and Sindhupalchowk DC held programmes on child rights.

iv)   With the joint initiative of the HURPES Kathmandu DC, and Khagendra Navajeevan Kendra Special School, an interaction was organized at Nepal Disabled Association (NDA). The programme was presided over by HURPES Coordinator of Social Concerns and NDA Chairman Balaram Aryal while special school principal Parajuli delivered welcome speech. HURPES Central Member Kumar Raj Subedi expressed his view on child rights while Kathmandu DC Chairman Mahesh Acharya on convention on child rights. He also presented concept of the HURPES on the occasion. Kathmandu DC Member and coordinator on disability, Yagya Upreti conducted the programme. Central member Kumar Raj Subedi furnished replies to the queries raised by the teachers and students. In this way HURPES is launching Child Rights Awerness Program too.

f)       Day of Disabled: On the occasion of the 18^th International Day of Disabled Persons, the HURPES, NDA and Khagendra Navajeevan Kendra organized a programme demanding the right s to the disabled persons. At the programme presided over by NDA Chairman Gajendra Lama, chief speaker Central President Purushottam Dahal demanded an immediate formation of an empowered commission to address the problem of the disabled population. He also urged the concerned to promulgate constitution on time with the guarantee of fundamental rights. Similarly, chief guest and social activities Keshawati Maskey said the feeling of social service should be generated in all. Also speaking on the occasion, HURPES Vice-Chairman Homa Kanta Chaulagai, NDA Chairman Balram Aryal, Chairman of Nepal Association of the Blind Nara Bahadur Limbu, Vice-Chairman of Nepal-India Friendship Society Chakra Man Shrestha, former student of Khagendra Navajeevan Kendra Bidur Thapa and Yagya Prasad Upreti. Kathmandu DC Chairman Mahesh Acharya presented a 10-pont concept paper of the HURPES on disability.

On the occasion, Central President Dahal, Chairman Lama and Chief Guest provided prize and certificates and wheel chairs to the students who completed SLC from the Kendra.

l) Volunteers’ Day: A talk programme on ‘Volunteering Culture and Human Rights’ was organized on the occasion of the 24^th International Volunteers Day (December 5). The programme held at the HURPES central office, General Secretary of Nepal University Teacher’s Association Rameshwor Upadhyay, Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Dr Kedar Narsing KC, senior psychologist Professor Ganga Pathak said though the volunteerism was itself a difficult job, positive thinking and devotion was needed to for this field. Also speaking at the programme chaired by Central President Dahal were founding mem  Expressing their views at the programme chaired by Central President Purushottam Dahal were HURPES Founder Member Krishna Kandel, Vice-President Homa Kanta Chaulagai, General Secretary Gangadhari Adhikari, Treasurer Radha Ghale and former central member Ratna Laxmi Shrestha. The programme was coordinated by HURPES Coordinator for Education and Kathmandu District DC Chairman Mahesh Acharya.

m) Press Meet: a press meet was organized on 9 April 2010 focusing on the conclusion and recommendation of the HURPES campaign launched on the concept paper which was issued on December 10, 2010 (Mangsir, 25, 2066). The concept paper was- timely constitution with political consensus and communal harmony with human rights while the campaign on this was concluded on 7 April 2010. At the programme, Central President Dahal furnished replies to the queries raised by the press while Vice-President Chaulagain, General Secretary Adhikari and Treasurer Ghale informed about the conclusion, recommendation and the campaign.

n) Inception Day: On the occasion  of the 15^th Establishment Day of the HURPES established with the ideal of non-violence, peace, harmony, and tolerance and working for the democracy and human rights, a programme on ‘Challenges of Peace Process and Institutional Development of Democratic Republic in the Present Context’ was organized. Chief Guest at the programme, Ram Chandra Poudel who is also the Vice-President and Parliamentary Party Leader of the Nepali Congress, said democracy could not be institutionally developed until all are devoted to it, so all political parties should be equally devoted to its institutional development.

Another special guest at the programme, Vice-Chairman of the UCPN-Maoist, Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai said his party was moving ahead being fully devoted to the peace and democracy. In order to cope with the challenges, all should work in unison, he pointed out the need. Similarly, CPN-UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokhrel expressed the view that effort from all sides was needed to make new constitution and the UML was doing its best to this regard.

Also speaking at the programme chaired by Central President Dahal were Chairman of Nepal Medical Association Dr Kedar Narsing KC, COCAP Chairman Deepak Kumar Bhattarai, HURPES Vice –Chairman Chapagain, AI Nepal Director Rameshwar Nepal, HURPES General Secretary Gangadhar Adhikari, Treasurer Radhe Ghale, and Kathmandu DC Chair Mahesh Acharya.

0) Dialogue and Participation: The Central President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Secretary, Treasurer, Members and Coordinator of the HURPEs had talks with the experts on human rights from national and international arena at convenient times.

p) Time Movement: The HURPES, as per its policy and decision, has been fully respecting the campaign on time.

q) Press Release: The HURPES has continued its views against the incidents of violation of human rights, atrocities and others against human. During this period, the HURPES issued 50 press releases.

r) Miscellaneous: The HURPES website not updated following the 7^th National Council Meeting of the HURPES, 2001 has been updated. The press release and other information about HURPES central office, district DC, and research documents can be viewed browsing the website. Moreover, all members having email address have been sent message through emails.