Kathmandu: Activists and professionals from various walks on Wednesday drew the attention of the government toward the safety of Nepalis in Israel, Lebanon and Gaza while also condemning the Israeli attacks on the UN peacekeeping positions.
A number of political parties, including Maoist Center and CPN (Unified Socialist), and members of various civil society organizations including Greater Citizens Movement, issued a statement asking the government not to send Nepali workers to war-torn Israel, Lebanon and Gaza and to bring back those who are working there.
In July also Nepalis from various walks of life—students, journalists, civil society leaders, activists, business people, intellectuals, organizations, among others (over 670 in number) urged the government and the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security not to put the lives of Nepali citizens at risk by sending them as workers in wartime Israel.
The safety of Nepali soldiers serving in peacekeeping posts in Lebanon has become a serious concern after these posts have been struck by Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has struck some UN peacekeeping positions recently, according to the United Nations. On Wednesday, peacekeepers in position near Kafer Kela observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their watchtower where two cameras were destroyed, and the tower damaged, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Earlier on Sunday, 15 peacekeepers suffered from “smoke effects”, after the IDF fired several rounds some 100 meters from their position, several UN positions were damaged, and cameras and lights destroyed.
The UN officials, including the Secretary-General, have said that safety and security of UN personnel and property “must be guaranteed” and that the inviolability of UN premises “must be respected at all times without qualification”. He also warned that attacks against peacekeepers contravene international law and may constitute war crimes.
Nepal is particularly worried about the situation in Lebanon and the IDF attack on peacekeeping posts because it is the largest troops contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with 6119 security personnel serving in various conflict points of the world. Total of 877 Nepali soldiers are stationed in peacekeeping posts in Lebanon.
Amid this, the government of Nepal’s response appears to be limited to reposting the condemnation statement issued at the initiation of Poland. “We strongly condemn recent attacks on the UNIFIL peacekeepers. Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” the statement issued on October 12, reads. “We urge the parties of the conflict to respect UNIFIL´s presence, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times, so that they can continue to implement its mandate and continue their work of mediation and support for peace and stability in Lebanon and the entire region.”
Nepal is one of the signatories of the statement (also see the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland).
The government of Nepal stood by Israel when on October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel. Nepal quickly brought out a statement condemning “the terrorist attack in Israel” and expressed “solidarity with the Government of Israel.”
The October 12 statement was posted by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs three days later, on October 15, with the message “Nepal strongly condemns recent attacks on the UNIFIL peacekeepers & urges parties of the conflict to guarantee their safety & security. Such actions must stop immediately & should be adequately investigated.”
On October 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement which did not mention the name of IDF nor Israel and repeated lines from the October 12 statement. It said Nepal “strongly condemns recent attacks against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers which left several personnel wounded.” “Such attacks must stop immediately, and the incidents should be investigated properly. Any attack on UN Peacekeepers constitutes the violation of International Law and the United Nations Charter.”
The statement further said the government of Nepal urges the parties of the conflict to fully guarantee the safety and security of the UN personnel and property. “As one of the major contributors, Nepal expresses full support to the UNIFIL’s activities and considers that it has a crucial role to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon and in the entire region, particularly in light of the escalating situation.”
“Statements alone do not work. We need to talk to the government of Israel and raise the issue of the safety of Nepali peacekeepers,” said Prem Singh Basnyat, Brigadier General (Retired) of Nepal Army who in the past also served at UNIFIL Lebanon as the Platoon Commander. “The way Nepali government is responding about the safety of Nepalis, including peacekeepers, really astonishes me,” he said. “No conflicting party can act in such a way that harms the peacekeepers. Why cannot the government of Nepal say this much to Israel, with which we have very good relations”? Basnyat said.
According to him, apart from ensuring that peacekeepers, from Nepal and other countries, are not harmed in any way, Nepal should also immediately start the process of bringing back Nepali workers from Lebanon and Israel. “The first job of the government should be to ensure the safety of its citizens, wherever they are,” he said.
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