DPM Thapa defends new constitution, highlights impending humanitarian crisis

Kathmandu / November 5: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa has drawn the attention of the international community toward the ongoing crisis in Nepal, saying that the India-imposed economic blockade may result in an unjust and severe humanitarian crisis.

“We are at a very delicate situation resulting from the obstruction of essential supplies at the border points. If the current trend is not checked, the country is likely to experience an unjust and severe humanitarian crisis,” said Thapa.

Delivering Nepal’s statement to the 23rd Session of Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland of the human rights records of all UN member states, Thapa said that the continuous obstructions by India at border points under whatever pretext has severely impeded the exercise of rights and freedom that Nepal is entitled to under international law as a land-locked country.

“If the current trend is not checked, the country is likely to experience an unjust and severe humanitarian crisis. This needs to be avoided,” he added.

Saying that Nepal government was seeking to address political problems through dialogue, he stated that the continuous obstruction at border points under any pretext had severely impeded the exercise of rights and freedom that Nepal is entitled to under international law as a land-locked country.

“As a least developed country that has emerged from a decade-long armed conflict followed by protracted political transition and which is just taking steps forward on a path of recovery and reconstruction with the support of the international community in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, the challenges and pressures besetting the nation and people at present are immensely painful,” he asserted.

“Lives and livelihoods of the entire population have been adversely affected; schools and hospitals also bear the brunt of the current circumstances, exposing millions of children, elderly and sick persons to greater risk and vulnerabilities; the future of our children is at stake; our regional and international trade have been constrained; our industries are on the verge of collapse; the tourism sector has been hit hard; our economy has suffered a huge setback. This needs to be avoided.”

“Like many other democratic constitutions, the Constitution of Nepal is also a living and dynamic document that can be amended in accordance with the needs and aspirations of the people. It is flexible enough to adequately address the new context the nation faces through timely amendment,” he said. He said that the Nepal government is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights.

The first Nepal UPR was held in 2011. Thapa said the country has been able to make many significant progresses in terms of the overall human rights situation in the country. Reiterating the new government’s efforts to win Madhes-based parties’ confidence and resolve the differences within the constitutional framework, he said the nature and effects of continued agitation have been detrimental to our national interest and the overall well-being of the people.

After the DPM’s opening statement, UN member-states commented on Thapa’s report. India, Sweden and Switzerland expressed their concerns about the violence and unrest in the Tarai after Nepal adopted the new constitution. They also brought up the issue of security forces using excessive force against the protesting ethnic groups and the casualties.

Ramesh Dhakal, one of the Nepali delegates, informed the session that Nepal has adopted the principle of gender equality and non-discrimination to issue citizenship. He claimed the new constitution ensures that a woman can pass on citizenship to her children independently.

Such claim comes a day after the Amnesty International wrote an open letter to Nepali Prime Minister, urging to amend the discriminatory provision in citizenship. According to the new constitution, a child has to prove that both his/her parents are Nepalis to get a citizenship by birth.