A rally and mass meeting was organized by various human rights activists and civil society organizations in Kathmandu on 29th May 2009 to mark the first anniversary of the declarationof Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The rally which began from Bhrikutimandap and went through Putalisadak and Bagbazar assembled in Shantibatika at Ratnapark. Human rights activists, journalists, professionals, students and youth, minority groups, indigenous people, senior citizens and people from grassroots participted in the workshop.
Dr. Netra Prasad Timsina, coordinator of Republic Day Civil Coordination Committee and the president of NGO Federation of Nepal, welcomed the participants of the rally and said that the program was organized to create pressure on the political parties to work together with mutual agreement and understanding so that the constitution is made and promulgated on the stipulated time. “This program has been organized to put the political parties into pressure to urge them to take the peace process to a logical end”, Dr. Timsina stated.
Damannath Dhungana, former Speaker of House ofRepresentatives, expressed his discontent on the political parties being too much obsessed only with republicanism. He emphasized that both democracy and republicanism should be taken together to foster them and thus are inseparable.
The prevailing lack of mutual trust and understanding among the political parties may lead to violence, Prof. Dr. Mathura Prasad Shrestha warned.
Woman rights activist and president of AATWIN, Sunita Danuwar pointed out the continuing violence against women and stated that there will not be any improvement in the condition of the marginalized communities until democracy is fostered and institutionalized. She put emphasis for the end of the climate of impunity and for the continuity of politics of consensus.
The rally was organized by:
NGO Federation of Nepal
National Federation of Disabled Nepal
Dalit NGO Federation
Federation of Community Electricity Users Nepal
Federation of Community Forest Users’ Nepal
Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation Users’ Nepal
Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
Human Rights Alliance
Youth Action Nepal
National Human Rights Academy
Maithili Woman Society
Joint Forum for Human Rights
Community Self-dependence Service Centre
National Forum for Woman Rights Concern
Himawanti
‘We Can’ National Campaign
CWIN Nepal
Community Radio Broadcasters’ Association
Jagaran Nepal
Forum for Protection of Consumers’ Interest ( Nepal)
Women Rehabilitation Centre
Women Security Pressure Group
AATWIN
HURFON
Solve Nepal
Nepal Society of Disabled
Inter-religious Council Nepal
Forum for Development Journalism
INSEC
Human Rights Home
Campaign for Human Rights and Social Transformation-Nepal (CAHURAST)
INHURED International
Rural Reconstruction Nepal
Bhagawan Youth Club
National Federation of Irrigation, Water Users’ Association Nepal
The Women Foundation
Blue Diamond Society
The following slogans were chanted during the rally:
1. Lets put an end to impunity!
2. Safeguard human rights!
3. Decide immediately the form of governance!
4. Make constitution on the stipulated time!
5. Maintain the politics of consensus!
6. Lead the peace process to a logical end!
7. Follow strictly the Comprehensive Peace Accord!
8. Long live Republic Day!
