KATHMANDU, Dec 2 - Thousands of CPN-UML activists took to the streets in the capital Friday demanding restoration of democracy in the country.

The party took out rallies from 18 different locations in Kathmandu and converged into a single rally at Dillibazar which later converted into a mass gathering at Naya Baneshwore.

UML said over 75,000 people participated in the rally. This is the most significant number of UML activists that have participated in a protest against the "autocratic government" since the Feb.1 royal takeover.

The activists chanted anti-king and pro-democracy slogans. 

It is almost a year since King Gyanendra autocratically took over power from the democratic state in Nepal. This was unconstitutional move has led to anti people, anti-human rights and anti-democratic policies since 1 Feb 2005. Despite the numerous protests inside and outside Nepal calling for return of Parliamentary democracy , independent from the monarch�s control and a stop to all human rights violations, the autocratic king continues to stay in power. The king�s regime continues to attack the people�s movement (including the women�s movement, trade union movement, media persons, students� movement, NGOS and other civil society) and suppress all opposition.

Hence, it is crucial for us to keep up our strong protest against the King�s rule and its illegal government and pressurise them to step down and return the power to the people. Our consistent protests against the King�s regime will continue to make him and his regime weaker and will also give great moral support and solidarity to the peoples� movement and struggle in Nepal.

We are calling for the international community to express your outrage to the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong police by calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO political prisoners. We are asking individuals and organizations to participate in a variety of activities that we are launching in conjunction with the Hunger Strike by the WTO Political Prisoners.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

International Support Letter Writing Campaign

Write to Donald Tsang calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO Political Prisoners. Please see the enclosed sample letter. Send copies of all letters to the International Committee for the Immediate Release of the WTO political prisoners at

[email protected] and [email protected].


Coordinate an International Day of Action

We are calling for interested organizations and individuals to coordinate a protest rally in front of the Chinese Embassy o­n Monday, January 9, 2006 at 12:00 pm. In addition to the rally, we urge people to meet with embassy officials calling for the immediate release of the 14 WTO Political Prisoners.

Please send all information of international day of actions to

[email protected] and [email protected]

Dear Friends

The Diplomacy Training Program is now calling for applications for three training programs to be held in the first half of 2006. The programs are:

1. Human Rights and Migrant Workers in the Asia-Pacific region � a training program for advocates. This will be held in partnership with Migrant Forum Asia from 6th � 10th March. Deadline for Applications � Jan 20^th.

2. Indigenous Peoples Human Rights and Advocacy � a training program for Indigenous Peoples advocates to be run from 3^rd � 12^th May in Darwin, Australia. This year there will be a special focus o­n the Right to Health and Mr Paul Hunt, the UN Special Rapporteur o­n the Right to Health will participate. Deadline for Applications � March 3^rd.

3. The 16^th Annual Human Rights and Peoples� Diplomacy Training Program for Human Rights Defenders to be held from 5th � 23rd June in Timor Leste. Deadline for Applications � March 31^st.

Details of each of these programs and application forms can be found o­n DTP�s website � www.dtp.unsw.edu.au

Further information is also available through contacting [email protected]