Last May 16-18, 2016, The May 18 Memorial Foundation hosted a successful annual event, the Gwangju Asia Forum under the theme of “State Violence and Historical Distortion.” Here are some of the valuable voices from the participants.

Can a common lady from developing country be part of the international conference on human rights? Can she represent her country and be a speaker? The answer is yes because I am the example. I had never ever imagined that I would be there representing my country and raising issues of criminal justice institutions. I was so glad when Shahed Kayes sent me an invitation letter to be part of Gwangju Asia Forum.

Participating on May 18 Academy was my first experience where I was able to learn the democratic history of South Korea and following the academy I was blessed to be part of Gwangju Asia Forum.

Meeting with new people and exchanging knowledge and experiencewas really awesome. Further, knowing each other from the different corner of the world was so mesmerizing moments for me. I was participating in Gwangju Asia Forum as a speaker of Solidarity for Social Justice(SFSJ) and was presenting on Criminal justice institutions of Nepal. Mr. Yiombi Thona was a moderator of the session and Mr. Bijo Fransic was the keynote speaker. I was so inspired by Prof. Yiombi Thona who also gave us lecture during May 18 Academy 2015 and wished to meet him again and my wish was fulfilled on this program.

In the same way, I was able to meet ex-president of East Timor Mr. Xanana Gusmao which I had never ever expected. Similarly, other participants from different nation were really appreciable and it was a very nice opportunity for me to extend my sphere of knowledge. Friends from Bangladesh, Philippines, Srilanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Indonesia were awesome and we had so nice time during our stay.

Three days program gave me knowledge on criminal justice institutions and human rights situation in the respective countries presented in the forum. I felt so honored to be part of different programs on the memory of May 18 democratic uprising. Participating in the rally, be part of the program of May 18 memorial cemetery, was really so awesome moments and experience that we gained.

I was able to get more information about May 18 democratic uprising. The archive for the May 18 movement collected various documents from foreign countriesand safely protected and preserved them.

Three days program was very tightly managed and three sessions were conducted simultaneously in three halls.It was too difficult for me to choose or decide which session to participate on.

Since all of the issues and topics were so interesting, it was hard for me to choose sessions. I attended the session on May 18 witnesses overseas and rehabilitation for the survivors of state violence and social justice. Participating in those two sessions were so beneficial for me. I was able to hear the experience of the witnesses overseas and their expression made us cry and smile at the same time.

Further, in the session of rehabilitation for survivors of state violence and social justice, a vivid issue was raised i.e. right to rehabilitation of survivors of state violence. Torture is breaking down bodies and minds. During the session, examples of techniques of counseling of survivors of state violence were shared.

"Birthday celebration" of death child was so heart-touching. Parents celebrate the birthday of their death children and organize the party, decorate a home and buy gifts for them so that they can fill the gap of not having children.

This celebration to some extent is similar to Nepalese culture of celebrating death day of a family member. In Nepalese context, if any person of family member dies then the day of death is celebrated; all relatives were called upon the celebration so that they could refill the vacant space of deceased family member.

In the same way, writing a message on the stone for martyrs of May 18 democratic uprising, being part of Great March for Democracy, the program on May 18 National Cemetery and witnessing Gwangju Peace Human Right Award were a splendid and fabulous moment during the Gwangju Asia Forum.Memories I had collected from GwangjuAisa Forum will always remain with me.