After King Gyanendra's speech he dismissed the cabinet, took all power, and established his own government. This action is directly in opposition to the basic values and norms of democracy. From today's meeting by human rights activists and the people from civil society, we condemn these steps by the king.

After the king has taken power in Nepal, he has issued a declaration of emergency. This is a direct threat and violation of human rights. This declaration is in violation of numerous international accords that Nepal is a signatory to and accountable for.

In this serious and sensitive situation, we are assembling this meeting in order to request to the national and international community to secure and restore all human rights codes and accords:

• 1) Condemning the arrest of the political leaders and human rights defenders and demanding that their locations be revealed.
• 2) The RNA must immediately stop closely directly and indirectly monitoring all media, human rights defenders, and outspoken individuals. We are specially requesting the diplomatic community to assist with arranging security within Nepal and outside Nepal for all these individuals.
• 3) Without any reason, the mass communication and media have been shut down. This irresponsible act will create significant obstacles for the general people. This is why we are asking the international community to arrange a systematic mass communication for the people of Nepal.
• 4) We are requesting an independent and sovereign human rights commission. This commission is unable to do work properly right now. We are requesting a guarantee of proper work environment for the commission.
• 5) The country's human rights situation is worsening significantly. We are requesting that United Nations and human rights organizations conduct human rights monitoring in Nepal

1) Subodh Raj Pyakural, INSEC
2) Govinda Bandi, Nepal Bar Association [Human Rights Committee]
3) Shobhakar Budhadhoki, CEHURBS
4) Pradeep Shankar Wagle, Nepal Bar Association [Human Rights Committee]
5) Rajesh Hamal, Advocacy Forum
6) Madhav Pradhan, CIWIN Nepal
7) Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, Mahendra Narian Smriti Pratisthan
8) Usha Titikshu, Civic Solidarity for Peace
9) Dinesh Prasain, Collective Campaign for Peace (CoCAP)
10) Samir Nepal, Human Rights Alliance
11) Gopal Siwakoti, INHURED
12) Surya Bahadur XXX, NGO Federation
13) Anil Bhattarai, Nepal South Asia Center (NESAC)
Lundup Dorje Lama
14) Swanaam, Civic Solidarity for Peace

All 14 signatories of the document are now under threat of arrest by RNA, who is searching for the activists. They are living underground.

This is an independent site created to encourage critical reflection on the conflict in Nepal, and as a net-centre for action against the escalation of foreign military funding. Send suggested links and ideas for action to: birodh@earthlink.net