“Building Constitutional Democracy in Nepal - Challenges and Opportunities” Speaker: Dinesh Tripathi, LL.M Date: Thursday, April 5th, 2007 Time: 7 - 8:30 PM Location: 500 East 63rd street, Symposium (38th floor) (See directions below.) Synopsis Dinesh Tripathi, LL.M, a well known lawyer of Supreme courts of Nepal, and human rights activist will present his views on upcoming Constitutional Assembly elections, its challenges and opportunities. As Nepal is going through a very critical phase in History, Mr. Tripathi will analyze the current complexities in Nepali politics. Topics of discussion would be agendas of new constitution making such as rights and liberty of people, future of monarchy, empowerment of marginalized group and communities, inclusive democracy and restructuring of state as well as the right to vote for Nepalese Diaspora in upcoming constituent assembly election. As an expert on constitutional and International human rights Law, Mr. Tripathi will also address federalism, Participatory democracy, proportional representation as well as rights of ethnic groups and minorities. This is going to be an interactive discussion on Nepal's peace process and moving forward through Constitutional Assembly Election. Come prepared to discuss on challenges and opportunities of Nepal's constitution building process. About the speaker Dinesh Tripathi, LL.M is a human rights and constitutional lawyer in the Supreme Court of Nepal. Against King Gyanendra's oppressive rule Mr. Tripathi filed a series of public interest law-suits to protect rule of law, defend individual liberty and challenge autocratic direct rule of the king. He also represented and pleaded successfully to free more than 300 political detainees from the Supreme Court of Nepal. He mobilized national and International public opinion against absolute, direct and repressive rule of the king Gyanendra. He is also one of the forceful proponents of voting rights of Diaspora on the upcoming constitutional assembly election. His petition drive attracted thousands of signatures. He is a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutional democracy. Currently, he is trying to build international support and mobilize international public opinion in favor of Nepal's human right and constitutional democracy building process. He has published various articles and books including a book on international protection of human rights. PeopleKoBot – a Chhalphal Discussion Series in NY PeopleKoBot is a forum dedicated to fostering discussion on current events, culture, people and society relating to Nepal. Taking inspiration from the spontaneous conversations that arise around peepal trees all over Nepal, PeopleKoBot invites anyone who is interested in Nepal to join us to share, learn and debate in a democratic and friendly atmosphere. The group convenes on a regular basis in New York City to provide a platform for debate, friendships and social networking. Paying due respect to the art of Guff, PeopleKoBot joins Boston Chhalphal and London Chhalphal as the NY branch of Chhalphal. For more info on this event: http://groups.google.com/group/pkb_chhalphalny/web/dinesh-tripathi-5thapril2005-ny For more info, visit us at http://peopleKoBot.com To subscribe to our mailing list, send an email to: pkb_chhalphalny@googlegroups.com - Admission is free and we invite people from all walks of life. - Refreshments will be provided. - Our beautiful symposium is located on 500 East 63rd street, 38th floor with a panoramic view of New York City. - So come and enjoy Chhalphal Discussion -- our very own phaldayak guff-gaff! - Directions: 500 East 63rd street, Symposium (38th floor) (corner of York Avenue and 63 rd St.) The closest subways are 4, 5, 6, N, R, W at 59th Street/Lexington Avenue Station or the F train at 63rd Street Station Disclaimer: PeopleKoBot - (ChhalPhal Discussion Series in New York) is only a medium through which people's works and views are exchanged. PeopleKoBot neither endorses nor takes responsibility for the views expressed by the guest speakers and the audience. Views and opinion of the presented content is solely that of the speaker.