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Rescue Nepali workers stranded at border

Graphic: NHRC Chairperson Justice Anup Raj Sharma

The Commission said barring nationals from entering their country is in violation of their constitutionally guaranteed right.

The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal called on the government to come to the aid of Nepali workers stranded at the border the country shares with India.

In a statement, the Commission said the government should establish quarantine and isolation facilities, based on World Health Organisation standards, and rescue the Nepali citizens at Nepal-India border points.

"The Commission's attention has been drawn to the fact that Nepalis who were in India for work have been stranded at various border points," the statement said.

"The Nepali authorities are barring them from entering the country on the grounds that they could possibly transmit COVID-19. Due to this, some have been forced to use alternative routes to enter the country."

The Commission said barring nationals from entering their country is in violation of their constitutionally guaranteed right.

"Prohibiting Nepali citizens from returning home is a violation of their right to live with dignity, right to freedom and right to equality as provided by the Constitution of Nepal and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," the statement said.

In response to COVID-19 and the national lockdown enacted on 24 March, the Commission initiated a monitoring program of the human rights situation in the country.

This monitoring was undertaken in partnership with the Federation of the Nepali Journalists and the Nepal Bar Association.

"During our monitoring, we found that even those who have completed six weeks in quarantine in the border areas are not being allowed to enter the country," the Commission said.

Date: 12 May 2020

Source: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal


Image credits

  1. NHRC Chairperson Justice Anup Raj Sharma - National Human Rights Commission of Nepal