Kathmandu, May 28 : Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has, in a message on the occasion of the 39th founding day of Amnesty International, appreciated the solidarity the organization expressed with Nepal’s efforts for restoration of democracy and the contribution it has made in building public opinion at international level in favour of human rights.

In his message, Prime Minister Koirala wished for further success of Amnesty International and hoped that it would continue to work actively in human rights sector.

Ex-prime Minister and MP Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, in a similar message, said that amnesty international has supported tens of thousands of people always struggling for freedom and has inspired millions others to remain aware of their rights.

The former prime minister recalled with gratitude the contribution of the Amnesty International to releasing him during his ten-year long confinement.

RPP president and former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, in his message, noted that the Amnesty International has significantly contributed to safeguarding and promoting human rights, adding that in today’s context it is necessary to safeguard democracy and human rights.

Former Prime Minister Kirtinidhi Bista observed that the role of Amnesty International is highly significant in ensuring human rights situation in the world. Meanwhile, Amnesty International enters its 39th year of its founding day today.

Working independently and impartially since its inception for the cause of human rights throughout the world, the international organisation was honoured with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 1977, the United Nations human rights prize in 1978 and various other regional and national awards.

Working in some special issues of human rights, the organisation has played a remarkable role in guiding the world towards independence.

Amnesty International (AI) has passed a period of nearly four decades specially for the release of prisoners of conscience, abolition of torture and dealth penalty, fair trail of political prisoners and in the search of missing persons.

Besides this, the organisation has also been making special contribution at the international level towards publicizing human rights education, resolving refugee problems, equal rights between man and woman, child rights, labour rights, and has been making notable contribution in the field of human rights in Nepal.

In statement issued here today, Amnesty International Nepal chapter has said that the annoucement of the formation of the Human Rights Commission on the eve of A.I. founding day should not be taken as a coincidence but accepted as an important achievement of the human rights movement.

A.I. Nepal chapter has also expressed gratitude to His Majesty’s Government for the formation of the Human Rights Commission.

Referring to the movement launched for the cause of human rights and demcoracy, the statement also mentions the international campaign launched by Amnesty International for the release of popular leader B. P. Koirala and global campaign run for accepting former prime minister Krishna Prasad Koirala as the prisoner of the year in 1969.

Stating that activities being carried out in the name of the Maoist will only encourage the culture of violence, the statement says that Amnesty International is working to end it.