Under the organization of the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) Bagmati Province, the Bagmati Province–level Human Rights Defenders Network was formed in Hetauda on November 16.
In the Bagmati Province–level Human Rights Defenders Network, a 21-member working committee was selected under the coordination of Advocate Dipendra Dhakal.
In the program, Chandrakant Chapagain, Head of the Bagmati Province Office of the National Human Rights Commission, stated that the Human Rights Defenders Network needs to further intensify the work of human rights protection and promotion that INSEC has been carrying out.
He mentioned that issues related to human rights are challenging in themselves and assured that the National Human Rights Commission will always provide support and cooperation for the protection of his own and other citizens’ rights.
Buddhacharan Lama, Central Member of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations, stated that human rights defenders need to conduct self-assessment and adapt their roles according to the times. He also expressed the commitment of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations, Bagmati Province, to provide its auditorium free of charge for the network’s meetings.
Kamal Kumar Bishwakarma, Acting President of the GASS Federation, Bagmati Province, conveyed best wishes for the launch of human rights campaigns in Bagmati Province through the active engagement of the Human Rights Defenders Network and expressed commitment for necessary support, cooperation, and coordination.
Shiva Khakurel, Coordinator of INSEC Bagmati Office, delivered the welcome speech, recalling the achievements made through the activities of the Human Rights Defenders Network in the past and highlighting the importance of human rights activists in resolving human rights issues.
Human rights activist Prakash Khatiwada stated that the Human Rights Defenders Network should play a significant role in facilitating issues related to human rights as needed and in promoting Bagmati Province as a human rights–friendly province.
Participants in the program were divided into four groups. Each of the four groups selected representatives and made presentations.
Subcommittees have also been formed on human rights issues, including the Women, Youth, Children, and Education Subcommittee; the Environmental Subcommittee; the Citizen and Freedom of Expression Subcommittee; and the Dalit Rights, Non-Violence, and Anti-Discrimination Subcommittee.
In the Bagmati Province–level Human Rights Defenders Network, coordinated by Advocate Dipendra Dhakal, Nati Babu Dhital was selected as Co-Coordinator, Sarita Dahal as Secretary, and Arjun Shrestha as Treasurer.
Similarly, members selected for the network include Sita Matel, Sharda Chaulagai, Bimala Gopali, Anjina Giri, Ashish Budhathoki, Rudra Bahadur Khadka, Binod Dhakal, Asmita Praja, Pavitra B.K., Kumari Waiba, Asma Bhandari, Govind Prasad Neupane, Sumitra Acharya, Kavi Paudel, Avinash Praja, Pawan Gautam, and Sagar Gautam.
The network has also selected six members for the Advisory Committee, including Chandrakant Chapagain, Prakash Khatiwada, Jhabindra Gyawali, Kamal Kumar Bishwakarma, Ramila Sapkota, and Ranjan Paudel.
In the program, the Assistant Documentation Officer of INSEC Bagmati Province Office delivered a presentation highlighting INSEC’s past achievements, activities planned for the next three years, and the significance, rationale, and role of the Human Rights Defenders Network, while also facilitating and conducting the program.