Kathmandu, 12 March 2010: Thousands of people joined the citizen pressure rally organized today by various civil society organizations. The rally was organized in order to put pressure on the political parties and the Constituent Assembly (CA) members to prioritize the constitution making process and promulgate the new constitution within the stipulated time, 28 May 2010. The rally began from Bhrikutimandap, marched through Putalisadak and Bagbazar and assembled in Shantibatika at Ratnapark.

The participants held the placards which urged the political parties to promulgate new constitution on the predetermined time by building the culture of cooperation and national consensus and at the same time implement Comprehensive Peace Agreement. They demanded that the CA bring the first draft of the constitution as soon as possible and give the opportunity to people to give suggestions and feedbacks. They also demanded that the new constitution must be based on social and economic transformation. They stressed on the fundamental principles and values of democracy in constitution making.

After the rally assembled at Shantibatika Dr. Netra Timsina, joint coordinator of the civic pressure rally and the President of NGO Federation of Nepal, said the purpose of the rally was to exert pressure on the political parties so that they prioritize the constitution making process. He mooted that it is still possible to promulgate the constitution within the set timeframe if the leaders work sincerely towards it.

At the conclusion of the meeting various civil society leaders and human rights activists delivered brief speeches. Daman Nath Dhungana, senior human rights activist and constitutionalist, stressed that the new constitution must be brought only after sufficient consultation and discussion with the public. Former President of Nepal Bar Association Shambhu Thapa urged all the leaders of the political parties and CA members not to attend any programmes such as inaugurations and to the people he appealed not to call them so that the CA members and the leaders save their time for constitution making process.

Dr. Mathura Shrestha, senior human rights activist, said that the political parities must not forget the mandate of the peoples' movement. He stressed if the CA members can not build the constitution of the timeframe they will be like "expired medicine" after 28 May.

Rameswor Upadhya, General Secretary of Nepal Professors' Union, Poshan K. C., General Secretary of Federation of Nepali Journalists, Ganesh B. K., President of Human Rights Alliance, Tek Neupane. Vice President of National Federation of the Disabled Nepal, Dr. Kedar Narasingh K. C, President of Medical Association of Nepal and PAPAD, Sindhu Pyakurel, senior human rights activist and lawyer, Charan Prasai, joint coordinator of the rally, also spoke in the programme.

The Joint Civic Pressure has more such programmes in the days to come with the count down of the day of the promulgation of the new constitution. It has planned to organize pressure rallies and round table discussions on the 60, 45 and 30 days of the countdown.