Nepal Bar Association and International Commission of Jurists have drawn the attention of the government to comply with its human rights obligations during post-earthquake recovery. 

In a joint statement, the rights organisations insisted that the authorities must ensure post-earthquake assistance is carried out without discrimination on any grounds, including descent (caste), gender, ethnicity or political affiliation.

“The ICJ and the NBA found that the political delays in operating the National Reconstruction Authority aggravated the existing problems and hampered necessary aid work,” said Nikhil Narayan, ICJ’s Senior Legal Advisor for South Asia and Head of Office in Nepal.

A preliminary report released on Sunday said that humanitarian assistance must be directed at protecting key economic and social rights, such as the rights to food, water, adequate housing, health, education and standard of living.

The report also aims to assist policy makers, particularly the NRA, and humanitarian actors by identifying the most immediate human rights concerns and providing recommendations to ensure the protection of the affected population.

The NRA formally launched its operations from mid January, and is now preparing to distribute the first installment of housing reconstruction grants for displaced people in Dolakha. 

“At the same time, safeguarding human rights of victims is especially critical in times of disaster, and the state has a duty to ensure that human rights are fully integrated in post-disaster humanitarian assistance,” said NBA’s general secretary Sunil Pokharel.

The report has recommended that the government ensure that the NRA is provided adequate resources to fulfill its mandate promptly, independently, impartially.