We are at a critical confluence in history.
With the world having the highest number of conflicts since World War II, the protection of civilians during armed conflicts has become an uphill task.
Even as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the principles designed to protect civilians are being systematically ignored or misinterpreted by the resourceful and powerful countries.
It is a bitter reality that no country is immune to the deteriorating impact of Russia-Ukraine war and the ever-growing conflict in the Middle East. We are empathetic to the humanitarian situation in the war-torn countries, which are pathetic and extremely inhumane indeed.
The global state of civilian protection is tragic, and our collective conscience is shattered. Nowhere is this more evident than in Gaza currently, where the humanitarian crisis is unfathomable.
The Government of Nepal strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 last year, where about 1200 people including civilians, youths, and children were killed. Among those were 10 Nepalis. We are still waiting for the release of our citizen Mr. Bipin Joshi from Hamas’s captivity.
The devastation of Gaza on such a scale and the relentless death of civilians can’t be justified. Nepal unequivocally condemns the indiscriminate attack on civilians, including the UN Officials, humanitarian workers, journalists, health professionals and civilian infrastructures by all parties to the conflict.
The near-total destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and basic infrastructure has left the entire population living in constant fear of deaths let alone to have access to food, education, health, and clean water. No one is safe in Gaza —neither civilians, children, humanitarian workers, nor UN personnel.
To our dismay, the West Bank is also facing increased settler violence, forced displacements, and widespread human rights violations.
We continue to fail to stop wars, bring solutions to the problems and restore peace and tranquility across the world. We are not even successful in giving hope and positive gesture to end the wars, rather calculating war divided instead.
This situation must end immediately. We call for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and full implementation of Council Resolution 2735 (2024).
We emphasize the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws and ensure accountability for violations. Respect for international law, including the UN Charter, is non-negotiable.
Nepal supports a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, within recognized international borders based on international law and the relevant UN resolutions.
Nepal, as a committed member of the Movement, stands firmly in support of peaceful coexistence between nations, regardless of their political, social or economic systems.
The Palestinian cause remains central to our movement. NAM should continue calling for a ceasefire, halting illegal settlement activities in the West Bank, and promoting initiatives that facilitate humanitarian assistance and post-conflict reconstruction and development in Gaza.
Above all, it is incumbent upon the international community to consistently and constructively push for two-state solutions so that Isreal and Palestine can live in perpetual peace.
Let us unite in our collective call to bring peace in the world.
[The above article is a statement by Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the Margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23 2024. She spoke on the theme of ‘Protecting Civilians in Armed Conflict: Standing in Solidarity with the Palestinian People.’]
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