FM Dr. Rana voices for release of Bipin Joshi

Kathmandu, Sept. 24

 Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has urged the international community to cooperate for the safe release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali national taken captive by Hamas during a terrorist attack on Israel.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement at the Margins of the 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday, Minister Dr. Deuba expressed Nepal's concern about Bipin's captivity, saying the entire nation is eagerly awaiting his safe release.

According to the secretariat of FM Dr. Rana, she expressed Nepal's condemnation of the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, where about 1,200 people including civilians, youths, and children were killed. Among those were 10 Nepali people.

During her address, she highlighted ongoing wars, rebellions and violence across the world, and emphasised collective international efforts to end these problems and establish peace.

"We are at a critical confluence in history, facing highest number of conflicts since World War II, making it a challenge to protect civilians during armed conflicts. So, we have to work with high priority to protect citizens from armed conflicts," she said.

The minister rued that despite international efforts, the world continues to fail to stop wars, bring solutions, restore peace and tranquility, and give hope.

"Even as we commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the principles designed to protect civilians are being systematically ignored or misinterpreted by the resourceful and powerful countries," FM Dr. Rana said calling for an immediate end to this situation, and for all to move forward with peace and co-existence.  

Referring to the ongoing conflicts such as the wars between Israel and Palestine, and Russia and Ukraine, the minister called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and full implementation of Council Resolution 2735 (2024).

She further called for the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws, ensure accountability for violations and respect for international law, including the UN Charter.

FM Dr. Rana condemned the indiscriminate attack on civilians, including the UN Officials, humanitarian workers, journalists, and health professionals, saying the devastation of Gaza on such a scale and the relentless death of civilians can’t be justified.

Meanwhile, addressing a high-level meeting of women political leaders in New York on Monday, the minister underscored Nepal's significant progress in reproductive health and safe motherhood compared to the past.

"First of all, what I want to share is that the current constitution of Nepal has guaranteed women's reproductive rights and safe motherhood as fundamental rights, making it one of the few countries in Asia to have such strong legal provisions," she said.

Highlighting Nepal's progress in safe abortion as significant achievements, the Foreign Minister said, "While there was a past case of more than half of the 100 women being imprisoned for foeticide, no men were found guilty. We advocated and the women were released. Such situation does not exist now as women have the right to safe abortion."

Likewise, Minister Dr. Rana also mentioned that despite its relatively small gross domestic product, Nepal has made significant progress in its human development index, thanks in part to the prioritisation of women's reproductive rights, safe motherhood and other related rights.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 25 September 2024.