Civil society members have suggested that the government raise the issue of Indian blockade on Nepal during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session in Geneva. 

A 14-member government delegation headed by Law Minister Agni Kharel leaves for the 23rd UPR session in Switzerland on Sunday. 

The UN Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group will examine Nepal’s human rights record for the second time on November 4. 

“India’s blockade has created humanitarian crisis in the country,” said Kapil Shrestha, senior rights activist. “The UPR session is a platform to tell the world about our crisis. It is time that Nepal take a stance and not be taken for granted.” Shrestha termed the economic embargo as “brazen violation of human rights” by the world’s biggest democracy. “We are experiencing the most undemocratic behaviour from our good neighbour,” he said. Govinda Bandi, human rights lawyer, argued Nepal should not lose this opportunity to internationalise the issue. “Since Nepal lost an opportunity in UN General Assembly last month, Nepal cannot afford to lose this opportunity to bring up the issue in the international arena,” he said. 

In his address in the UNGA in September, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prakash Man Singh did not mention a word about the Indian blockade. The newly formed government also has not officially called the limited supply of fuel and good as blockade imposed by India. Ramesh Dhakal, joint secretary of Law and Human Right Division at the Office of the Prime Minister, said the government would response to the queries related to Madhes unrest and ‘blockade’ by India if the issue is raised during the session. “The focus of the event will be review of rights situation, but we are prepare to response to the queries related to ‘blockade’ if need be,” he said. 

On Friday, 12 prominent civil society leaders, drew 

the attention of the 

international community to ‘humanitarian crisis’ created due to prolonged economic blockade by India. “We appeal to the concerned parties of Nepal, and to the international community including India to recognise this crisis and take effective steps to bring it to an immediate end,” read the statement.

The blockade has affected business and development activities in the country. They civil society leaders have said the blockade contravenes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both India and Nepal are signatory. 

“New Delhi’s actions amount to unilateral coercive measures with serious negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights covered under various UN resolutions,” read the statement signed by Nilamber Acharya, Megh Ale, Kanak Mani Dixit, Kul Chandra Gautam, Chandni Joshi, Dr Arjun Karki, Anuradha Koirala, Dr Bhagwan Koirala, Kedar Bhakta Mathema and Sushil Pyakurel, among others. 

Rights activist Kapil Shrestha says the unofficial blockade is brazen violation of human rights