Nepal's Abstention on Myanmar Resolution at UN Raises Questions
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WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 124 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.0 C 12.7 C Tuesday, June 22, 2021 | 08-03-2078 Nepalgunj Jomsom Nepal’s abstention on Myanmar resolution at UN raises questions Diplomats, experts and rights defenders say Nepal, despite being a member of the Human Rights Council, failed to show its commitment to human rights and democracy. ANIL GIRI deal a serious blow to Nepal’s creden- KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 tials. “There was nothing objectionable The United Nations General Assembly for Nepal in supporting the resolution last week adopted a resolution con- which was approved by a cross-section demning Myanmar’s military junta of countries from all regions of the and called for a stop to the flow of world, including many members of arms to the Southeast Asian country. the Non-aligned Movement and the There were expectations that the Group of 77 developing countries at 193-member Assembly would approve the UN,” Kul Chandra Gautam, a for- the resolution unanimously by con- mer UN assistant secretary-general, sensus, but Belarus called for a vote. told the Post. According to Reuters, the UN reso- Nepal’s commitment to democracy lution was approved with 119 coun- and human rights had come into ques- tries voting “yes”. Belarus voted tion back in February also, when it against, and 36 members abstained. issued a routine statement in response Nepal was one of the countries to to the military coup in Myanmar. The abstain, along with India, China and Ministry of Foreign Affairs had limit- Russia, among others. ed its statement to “following the Nepal’s decision to abstain from developments closely”, calling for the POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC voting on a crucial resolution release of Aung San Suu Kyi and Vehicular traffic seen at the Koteshwor intersection in Kathmandu on Monday. With Covid-19 cases gradually slowing down in the Capital, the adopted against the atrocities other leaders. lockdown restrictions have been loosened starting Tuesday with vehicles allowed to operate based on odd-even number rule. committed by the junta in Despite being a member of the UN Myanmar has once again raised Human Rights Council, Nepal has a question over its commitment closed its eyes to atrocities committed to human rights and democracy. by the military junta in Myanmar in It has also left many wondering, the past as well. as Nepal is currently a member In November 2018 also, Nepal was INSIDE No evidence children will of the UN Human Rights Council among the 26 countries to abstain for a second term. from voting on the UN resolution on Diplomats, experts and human rights violations against Government presses businesses observers say Nepal’s move of Rohingya muslims, who fled the coun- over taxes soon after Supreme be exclusively affected if abstaining from voting has try to escape the junta’s atrocities. Court order shocked them and this could >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: Soon after the Supreme third wave hits Court on June 15 vacated its earlier order to stay the collection of value added tax (VAT) during the prohibito- Child health experts say preparation is key, but no need ry order period, the Inland Revenue Department issued notice asking to panic over predictions on unfounded claims. Everyone taxpayers to submit their tax details and pay the taxes by July 9. As per the is at equal risk since the vaccination coverage is low. notice issued by the department on June 16, taxpayers have been asked to pay the VAT, tax deducted at source (TDS), excise duties, education service tax, telephone ownership and telecom- munication service fees for the months of Chiatra (mid-March to mid- April) and Baishakh (mid-April to mid-May) and submit their details by July 9. At a time when the department has been struggling to meet its reve- nue collection target, the court’s order came as a welcome surprise for the Depart-ment. Earlier, on May 18, the apex court had issued an interim order not to collect VAT or impose fines on taxpayers during the period of the prohibitory orders. (Details on Pg 3) Ilam sees hard times ahead as tourists stop coming ILAM: As 2020 got underway, Nepal’s POST FILE PHOTO hotel industry was at the peak of an Reluctance to close schools led to rise in infections among children during the second wave. expansion frenzy. Dambar Khadka of Ilam in the eastern past of the ARJUN POUDEL government’s reluctance to close country too had been making big KATHMANDU, JUNE 21 schools on time. plans. He had bought 55 ropanis of Last year, the entire country went land in the ecotourism destination of With a third wave of Covid-19 predict- into lockdown quite early–from March Kanyam to build a luxury resort. The ed, concerns now have grown if it 24 when there was just one active case. Rs1.5 billion hotel would offer a host could affect more children, as the The lockdown continued until July 21. of recreational activities like casino, number of those between 0 and 9 years But schools did not open immediately, shopping mall, park and mini train. and 10 and 19 years contracting the as the number of cases had crossed But almost overnight, the tourism virus had sharply risen when the sec- the 17,000 mark despite the lockdown. industry went into a downward spiral ond wave was at its peak. After the infections reached a peak in the likes of which entrepreneurs said Issuing a circular on June 5, the October, the country, however, started they had never seen before. Tourism Ministry of Health had asked all hospi- to witness a dramatic decline in the demand plunged with no foreseeable tals to allocate 20 percent beds for chil- number of new daily cases. end, and new development came to a dren, saying that they could be affected Complacency grew. Authorities screeching halt. Pause or proceed? more if a new wave hits the country. went into a chest-thumping mode, pro- Many entrepreneurs like Khadka are Even though the new coronavirus jecting the decline in cases as their in a fix. “My project suffered right cases have receded, a third wave is victory over the virus. The public too after the country was hit by the coro- imminent, given the prediction in became careless. Everyone behaved as navirus in 2020,” Khadka said. “Now, India by a group of experts. if the pandemic was over, and schools everything has become complicated. Doctors and child health experts, too started regular classes. There is no end in sight to Covid-19,” however, argue that when it comes to When India was hit by a more lethal he said. (Details on Pg 5) risk of infections, the entire popula- second wave, it did not take long for tion is at risk, and saying that chil- the virus to take hold in Nepal. It was dren would be affected more by the during that time many children were England aim to get Euro third wave is a mere conjecture. affected, but experts had advised not “We do not have any scientific evi- to panic, saying children would campaign back on track dence to back the claims that children respond to regular medications. LONDON: Gareth Southgate insists will be affected more if the third wave The second wave, however, exposed England can overcome their growing hits the country,” said Dr Rita Hamal, Nepal’s fragile health system, as hos- pains as his young side aim to get a consultant paediatrician at Om pitals ran out of beds, ventilators and their Euro 2020 campaign back on Hospital and Research Centre. “We do oxygen. Against this backdrop, the track by winning Group D against the not know on what basis the Health Health Ministry could have issued a Czech Republic on Tuesday. England Ministry said that children will be circular regarding 20 percent beds for are level on four points with the affected more in the third wave.” children in all hospitals. Czechs and will be guaranteed a It’s not just in Nepal where this mis- “There is nothing wrong in being first-place finish if they win their information has found traction among prepared,” said Dr Bikas Devkota, sec- last group match. A victory at the public and officials. Even in India, retary at the Health Ministry of Wembley feels essential for England to some have argued that a third wave Lumbini Province. lift the gloom that descended could pose more risks to children. According to Devkota, a child health after they were booed off following There too, experts have said there is expert who also served as Health Friday’s lacklustre 0-0 draw with no basis to make such a prediction. Ministry spokesperson in Kathmandu old rivals Scotland. With an average In Nepal’s case, the number of during the first Covid-19 wave, most of age of 25 years and 31 days, England’s children affected during the second the health facilities are not prepared starting line-up against Scotland was wave was more compared to the to deal with a surge in infections the youngest they had ever fielded in a first wave. But the rise in infections among children. major tournament. (Details on Pg 7) among children was attributed to the >> Continued on page 2 C M Y K TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Mob vandalises Chitwan park’s office after tiger kills woman Park officials say Ratnanagar residents were angry for delay in retrieval of victim’s body.