31 August 2012. Like previous years, this year, too, Advocacy Forum (AF) observed the ‘International Day of the Disappeared, 2012’ commemorating hundreds of people who disappeared during the country’s decade-long conflict. AF organized different activities in Kathmandu and other districts where AF operates.
AF, in association with other organizations, conducted a public forum hearing at Tripureshwar on 29 August. Around 150 people attended the program, including family of the disappeared, human rights defenders and journalists. Five panelists, including political leaders, answered the questions raised by the families and relatives of the disappeared. A series of programs like peace march from Bhrikuti Mandap to Peace Garden, Ratnapark and a talk program about the overall issues regarding disappearance in Nepal at the NHRC was held on 30 August. Similarly, a candle lighting ceremony in accompaniment with silent instrumental music at Mangal Bazaar, Patan commemorating the disappeared took place in the evening of 30 August in which victims and human rights defenders participated. Regional and district offices of AF also carried out similar activities.
