Amnesty International Nepal (Amnesty Nepal) organised its 27th Annual General Meeting in Taandi, Ratnangar of Chitwan district from September 22-24. The AGM elected a new executive Board which includes three female members and two youth members. Bipin Budhathoki and Samikshya Koirala were elected as the two youth members to the Board on September 15 through a gathering of Amnesty Nepal’s Youth Network delegates in Gaidakot, Nawalpur.
One of the key issues of discussion at the AGM was the global phenomenon of “shrinking civil and political spaces” leading to the curtailment of civil liberties and fundamental rights. The plenary also made an assessment of the burgeoning culture of impunity including in the cases of conflict related human rights violations, state’s failure to take effective action towards combating violence against women, and ensuring the rights of Nepal’s marginalised population including migrant workers.
Former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha was chief guest at the opening ceremony of the AGM held on September 22. Other guests in the event included representatives and chiefs from the local governments in Chitwan, civil society members, political party representatives, media persons, among others. Following the opening event, an indoor public action was held demanding release of imprisoned journalists – Shahidul Alam of Bangladesh, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo of Myanmar - and justice to Gauri Lankesh, an Indian journalist murdered last year. A total of 180 Amnesty members including 140 delegates from 70 groups, observers from Groups-in-formation and Youth Networks, board officials, advisors, former officials and directors, and the staff participated the plenary of the closed session of the AGM.
