Involvement in Democratic Movements
Since 1980, Gauri Pradhan has worked extensively in the pro-democracy movement in Nepal. Since then he has been an integral part of the broader civil society movement for democracy, human rights and social justice. He was the elected President of the University Free Students' Union from 1983–1985 and National President of All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) playing a leading role in the movement for the restoration of democracy. During his student activism in 1980s, he was arrested and detained a number of times by the then dictatorial regime. As a representative of Asian Students Association (ASA), he has also extended his solidarity to the movement for the restoration of democracy in other Asian countries. During 1989/90, he has significantly mobilized the international support and solidarity in favour of Nepal's pro-democracy movement. He was again arrested in 2005 for his international campaign against the then dictatorial rule and for people's democracy in the country. Many international human rights organizations including Amnesty International had campaigned for his protection and urgent release at that time. He was later released by the decision of the Supreme Court of Nepal. As an National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Commissioner and a member of the civil society, he has been working with utmost dedication in influencing Constituent Assembly for the formulation of human rights friendly and democratic constitution as well as sustainable peace in society.
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