PHA-Exchange> Civil action for democracy and retrogression

[Mathura P Shrestha]

Dear All
NGO Federation of Nepal having more than 2200 NGOs and CBOs as its affiliates/members and 17 Human Rights organizations of Nepal participated today at the interaction program in NGO Federation building, Kathmandu on the social roles of civil societies on the monitoring of human rights violation, monitoring of peace process and dialogue including follow-ups on code of conducts, and our response to the United Peoples Movement for democracy, progress, human rights and against political retrogression. The consensus was developed on the following aspects:
  1.. The principle role of the civil societies and human rights activists is to present ourselves before the people as conscience keepers and watchdogs to defend democracy, civil rights and social justice.
  2.. To take people's movement and peace dialogue as aspects of same purpose. We must expose and counter the hidden ploys of unauthorized elements not related to dialogue but up to foil the outcomes of dialogue and peace.
  3.. People should be empowered to be concerned about and to direct the people's movement against retrogression/reaction, for peace and for progressive sociopolitical changes.
Following decisions were made unanimously:
  1.. To condemn the Royal decree of October 4, 2002 as unconstitutional, illegal and reactionary.
  2.. Full support to the peace dialogue and discourage breakdown by any.
  3.. To monitor the dialogue for successful outcomes/ conflict transformation and resolution.
  4.. To integrate struggle for peace and united peoples' movement for democracy, peace, human rights, progress and against retrogression.
  5.. To search actively the progressive resolution of the present crisis.
The group also decided to organize a mass hunger strike and peaceful, silent demonstration tomorrow (22 May, 2003) from 2.00-5.00PM in front of Democracy Wall (The place will be known as Democracy Avenue hereafter and as Ratna park). This will be followed by a peaceful rally around the Tundikhel. Following 6 slogans were approved for the demonstration and rally by the group.
  1.. YES TO DEMOCRACY; NO TO TYRANNY ( or DEMOCRACY YES. AUTOCRACY N0.
  2.. DOWN WITH RETROGRESSION; WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE UNITED PEOPLES' MOVEMENT.
  3.. NO TO THOSE WHO INTEND TO FOIL PEACE DIALOGUE; NO MORE WAR.
  4.. WE ARE COMMITTED TO DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE.
  5.. OBSERVE CODE OF CONDUCTS BY SPIRIT AND LETTERS.
  6.. SUPPORT PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN FOR CIVIC SOLUTION.
The above version is translated (by me) form the Nepali.

Please disseminate this. All are requested to participate in tomorrow's demonstration and rally.

With regards,
Mathura P. Shrestha

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