Kathmandu, July 31:

Human rights activists at a programme today emphasised the need to launch a joint fight for the rights of the civilians and to make them aware of their rights. They were of the view that

a united and peaceful movement would definitely make the fight successful in restoring civil liberties in the country. “We must launch a strong movement. It will be a crime against humanity if we failed to stop the atrocities from the Maoists’ side and the state,” said human rights activist Krishna Pahadi. He was speaking at a function organised by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) to mark the 13th death anniversary of human rights defendant Prakash Kafle.

At the same programme, senior journalist Ram Bahadur Chand of Mahendranagar VDC, Kanchanpur district, was awarded with Prakash Human Rights Award. Human rights activist Dr Mathura Shrestha said, “We can make our unity more powerful than the power of any bomb and the military cannot solve the ongoing conflict.” He further pointed out the need to support the seven political parties’ movement and seek a political solution to the ongoing crises. Citing the way in which the chief justice by the appointed by the King, lawyer Bishwakant Mainali said the “constitutional supremacy” has been destroyed in the country.

Former member of the National Human Rights Commission Sushil Pyakurel’s statement was also read out at the programme. Pyakurel in his statement has said he has been fighting for democracy and human rights although he is staying outside the country after the February 1 royal takeover. “The country is facing the consequences of failing to recognise the conspiracies of anti-democratic forces in time,” he said in the statement.