ONF Europe first convention elects new working committee under chairmanship of Shalik Thapaliya
By Dinesh Giri, BARCELONA:- The first convention of the Overseas Nepali Forum, (ONF) Europe has elected a new executive committee under the presidency of Shalik Thapaliya. The convention, which concluded on Monday in Barcelona, ​​Spain, also issued an eight-point declaration.
The committee was elected with Thapaliya, based in Belgium, as president. Binod Neupane (Belgium) was selected as vice-president, Raghavendra Pratap Karki ‘Rabin’ (Denmark) as secretary, and Rajeshwori Thapa (Austria) and Govinda Sakota (UK) as deputy secretaries.
Similarly, Sunil Ranabhat (Spain), Ishwar Devkota (Poland), Kedar Thapaliya (UK), Keshavraj Pandey (Netherlands), Tilak Bhattarai (UK), and Tulsinath Subedi (Belgium) have been selected as members.
The convention, held under the chief guestship of CPN-UML Central Secretary Bhanubhakta Dhakal, was attended by Central Member and Europe-Oceania In-charge Sanjay Thapa, Central Member and former Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, and Central Member and Organization Department Secretary RC Lamichhane, among others.
The convention unanimously passed the political report presented by Mukta Bahadur Gurung and the organizational and financial report presented by Shalik Thapaliya following a discussion.
The convention has paid tribute to those who recently lost their lives in the floods on the Bhote Koshi River in the Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading regions, and has expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
It has urged the government to make arrangements for the rehabilitation of citizens displaced by the floods and to provide alternative solutions for infrastructure that needs to be brought back into operation immediately.
The manifesto also prioritizes the issue of the continuity of Nepali citizenship—a shared concern among the Nepali diaspora. Acknowledging that such issues did not receive adequate attention while the party was in government, the document demands that a clear stance be adopted to address them in the future, whether the party is in power or in the opposition.
The convention has expressed serious concern regarding the unnecessary internal debates and public exchanges of criticism among leaders. Noting that such activities undermine the morale of party cadres—both abroad and in Nepal—at a time when the party is facing a critical situation, the leadership has been urged to immediately halt these actions and seek a solution in accordance with the party statute, based on a thorough review.
Similarly, noting that Europe is emerging as a new labor destination, the serious attention of the government and stakeholders has been drawn to the need for safe migration.
Likewise, the government has been urged to engage in effective advocacy at international forums—including the United Nations—to secure compensation from developed, carbon-emitting nations for the losses Nepal has suffered due to climate change, as well as to obtain support for infrastructure development.
The convention has also extended its thanks to the organizers and the National Host Committee in Spain for their assistance in making the inaugural convention a success.
