Bangkok will see several activities, including building solidarity networks between Thais and Nepalis gearing up in response to the escalating crisis in Nepal.
Yesterday (20 April), Nepalese security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital, Kathmandu, killing at least three people, hospital sources said. At least 100,000 people defied a shoot-on-sight curfew, marching on central Kathmandu to rally against the absolute rule of King Gyanendra. Doctors said at least 40 others were injured, some seriously (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4924610.stm)Bangkok will see several activities, including building solidarity networks between Thais and Nepalis gearing up in response to the escalating crisis in Nepal.
Yesterday (20 April), Nepalese security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital, Kathmandu, killing at least three people, hospital sources said. At least 100,000 people defied a shoot-on-sight curfew, marching on central Kathmandu to rally against the absolute rule of King Gyanendra. Doctors said at least 40 others were injured, some seriously (source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4924610.stm)
With this in view, the recent Thai-Nepal solidarity group meeting, hosted by FORUM-ASIA on 20 April 2006, decided to step up their actions as the Nepali people’s struggle for democracy intensifies.
Attended by Committee for Asian Women, Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions and several individuals, the meeting decided on two major activities for the first week of May – more than one kilometer demonstration from Democracy Monument in Rajdamnoen to the Government Building in Thaewet on 1 May and a national seminar on the Nepali situation on 7 May.
Focus of the seminar includes a comparison of the democratic movement in Thailand and Nepal, while establishing regional solidarity for democracy among the two citizens.
The group is expected to have further meetings next week to finalise the events. Below are the members of the Thai-Nepal Solidarity Group:
- Alliance of Democratic Trade Unions (ADTU)
- Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Link (APWSL)–regional
- Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Link (APWSL)-Thailand
- Committee for Asian Women (CAW)
- FORUM-ASIA
- International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM)-Thailand
- Thai Labour Campaign (TLC)
- Thai Labour Solidarity Committee
- Women Workers Unity Group (WWUG)
