काठमाडौ, ८ माघ – नील हिरा समाजका देशभर रहेका शाखा कार्यालयका प्रमूख काठमाण्डौ आएका छन् । समाजको नविकरण रोकिदाँ देशभरका समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गीको भविष्य अन्यौलमा पर्न लागेको भन्दै उनीहरु काठमाण्डौ आएका हुन् । देशका ३८ वटा शहरमा रहेका नील हिरा समाजका शाखा कार्यालयका प्रमूखले संस्था नविकरण नहुँदा सहयोग रकम रोकिएको, आफू वेरोजगार हुनुपर्ने अवस्था आएको भन्दै प्रमूख जिल्ला अधिकारी, गृहमन्त्री र प्रधानमन्त्रीलाई ज्ञापनपत्र बुझाउने भएका छन् ।
जिल्ला प्रशासन कार्यालय काठमाण्डौले संस्थाको नविकरण रोकिदिदाँ अधिकार प्राप्तीको १२ बर्षको अभियान रोकिन पुगेको भन्दै उनीहरुले नविकरण नरोक्न सबैसँग आग्रह गर्न लागेका हुन् ।
संस्थाको नविकरण रोकिदाँ समाजका ७ सय ५० जना नियमित समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गी कर्मचारी वेरोजगार हुनुपर्ने भएको छ भने पहिचान सहितको नागरिकता पाउने अभियान, समलिङ्गी विवाहलाई मान्यता दिने कानुन निर्माण लगायतका अधिकार प्राप्तीको अभियान रोकिने भएको छ । सरकार, सरकारी निकाय किन समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गी प्रति विभेद गर्न खोजिरहेका छन् ? आफूहरु यो प्रश्न गर्न काठमाण्डौं आएको उनीहरुले बताएका छन् ।
नील हिरा समाज माथि लगाइएको आरोप प्रमाणित भए कानुन अनुसार सजाय भोग्न तयार रहेको प्रष्ट पार्दै उनीहरुले विना प्रमाणको आरोपकै भरमा संस्थालाई मार्न कुन कानुनले दिएको छ ? उनीहरुको प्रश्न छ । घर, परिवार, समाज र पूरै राज्यनै समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गी समूदाय प्रति सकारात्मक नहुँदा यो देशमा रहेका अल्पसंख्यक समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गीको अधिकार प्राप्तीको अभियान निमिट्यान्न हुने खतरा रहेको भन्दै उनीहरुले अधिकार प्राप्तीको अभियानमा सहयोग गर्न सबै राजनीतिक दल, नागरिक समाज, अधिकारकर्मी, पत्रकार सबैलाई अपिल समेत गरेका छन् । नील हिरा समाजका देशभर रहेका कार्यालयबाट काठमाण्डौ आएका प्रमूखले गरेको अपिल ः
अन्तराष्ट्रिय समूदायले पनि समलिङ्गी तेश्रोलिङ्गी समूदायको भविष्य अन्यौलमा पर्न नदिन सरकारको ध्यानाकर्षण गराउँदै आएको छ । अन्तराष्ट्रिय समूदायले पठाएका पत्र ः
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
Prime Minister of Nepal
cc: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
Chief District Office, Kathmandu
17 January 2013
Dear Prime Minister,
On behalf of the Peter Tatchell Foundation – a human rights organisation based in the UK – we urge you to support the continued registration of the Nepal civic organisation, the Blue Diamond Society.
I have supported and worked with the Blue Diamond Society for over 10 years. Our organisation notes with admiration its invaluable practical endeavours for sexual minorities: combating discrimination and hate crimes, offering vital HIV education and other health services and promoting understanding, respect and acceptance of sexual difference.
The organisation’s commendable approach is to work for legal equality, social justice and an inclusive, compassionate society. It is respected by us and by many ngos worldwide.
The Blue Diamond Society’s grass-roots approach and outstanding best practice have contributed to its success, which has had a hugely beneficial effect on the many individuals they help across all the regions of Nepal.
We urge you to press the Chief District Office to renew the Blue Diamond Society’s license immediately, so they can continue their important humanitarian and welfare work.
We also request that the Chief District Office report on the Blue Diamond Society be published immediately – for the sake of transparency and accountability – and to give the organisation an opportunity to respond to any concerns that this report raises.
Please inform us of your decision.
Kind regards,
Peter Tatchell
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Hon. Shankar P. Sharma
Ambassador
Embassy of Nepal
Washington, D. C.
Dear Ambassador Sharma,
I am among many American and other international supporters of the remarkable work of the Blue Diamond Society, currently suffering from the withholding of certification and
BDS’ efforts and progress contribute not only to the communities it serves but to the general population as well – both in (1) prevention and protection from HIV, including care and support for the infected,
(2) and to democracy in Nepal.
Nepal has been acclaimed in the United Nations and by the U. S. State Department for its progress in human rights for sexual and gender minorities. One is hopeful that the
Government of Nepal will not allow its national resource, BDS, to be crippled or destroyed.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Augustus Nasmith, Jr.
11 Harvard Street
Rutland, VT 05701 USA