February 1st marks the first year of King Gyanendra’s direct rule in Nepal. To many this day is seen as a black day due to spiraling down of human rights situation and deeply troubling political quagmire in Nepal since then. In the name of “Ïwar on terror” the government of King Gyanendra has resorted to curbing civil liberties and heavy-handed crackdown on democratic forces in the country. The speakers will highlight some of the key aspects of general trend in political and human rights situation in Nepal in the past year and discuss the possible ways out of the crisis. Questions and answers will follow the presentations from the speakers.
Alliance for Democracy & Human Rights in Nepal, USA and the South Asia Forum (The New School) cordially invite you to a discussion Nepal at the Crossroads: A Year of Worsening Political Quagmire

Sub-topics and speakers:
“Chairman Gyanendra vs. The People of Nepal”
Kanak Mani Dixit is a prominent Kathmandu-based journalist who is the editor of the Himal South Asia and publisher of the news magazine Himal Khabarpatrika. He is also a children’s author and a cultural activist.
“Prospects for Peace: International Perspectives”
Rhoderick Chalmers is the Deputy South Asia Project Director at the International Crisis Group.

The program will start with a 10-minute performance art by Ashmina Ranjit, a prominent Nepali Artist and Activist, currently a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University.

Moderator: Professor Carol Breckenridge, Founder, South Asia Forum

Free admission.