"It is a human rights issue because people and their daily life get affected by such problems. This is obviously a rights-based issue but the root of the cause may be political or even geopolitical," said Ibrahim Ismail, chairperson of Constitution Drafting Committee of Maldives."Nepal is currently facing something which is increasingly difficult for the state to protect basic human rights of citizen of Nepal but the situation has not created by the state of Nepal rather there are certain external factors," analyzed Professor Mizanur Rahman, Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh, in an interview with Republica.
Forum-Asia Chairperson Henri Tiphagne, who is from India, termed the blockade shameful for the entire South Asia.
"The blockade is shameful in South Asia," said Tiphagne. "Sovereignty of Nepal, its position in SAARC and its vantage position within the members of the United States demand that communication with Nepal cannot be on the streets. There are diplomatic channels for it."
Taking a swipe at Indian blockade, Tiphange said that it was unfortunate that a nation, which claims to be a global leader and is seeking a position in the UN Security Council, was supporting a blockade that was creating humanitarian crisis in Nepal, which is still reeling under the devastation caused by earthquake.
NHRC Bangladesh Chairperson Rahman urged national human rights institutions of the South Asia region to work closely to protect the human rights of Nepali people. "We believe that all the national human rights institutions of South Asia, we have a common responsibility toward each other and we must see to it that human rights of the citizens of South Asia are not violated," told Rahman to Republica.
Meanwhile, Tiphagne urged UN Special Rapporteurs, all rights association and others to urgently communicate with India on this matter.
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