EMRIP16: Item 3 – Statement of Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Sixteenth Eighth
17-21 July 2023
Item 3 of the provisional agenda
Statement of
Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP)
Delivered by Shankar Limbu

Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Distinguished delegates,
Indigenous brothers and sisters

Mr. Chair

The Indigenous Peoples in the Eastern part of Nepal are in a peaceful movement demanding respect for our identity, autonomy, self-governance, and the treaty of 1774 concluded between the state and Limbus. The state, however, imposed the name of the Province, calling it, “Koshi” in March 2023, instead of Pallo Kirat Limbuwan, which discards our history, culture, existence, identity, as well as specific agreements with made with Indigenous Peoples in the course of the peace process. This violates articles 3, 4, 13 and 37 of the UNDRIP as well as article 56(5) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015 such as the right to self-determination, autonomy, self-governance, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, observance, enforcement of treaty, agreements and other constructive agreements, etc. 

The state, concentrated a large scale of security forces from across the country to suppress the peaceful movement in Limbuwan. Till now, 45 People were arrested, and 29 were seriously injured[1]. The protestors were shot with rubber bullets in the forehead.[2] Mr. Gajendra Fago and Ms. Nirmala Chetri Limbu were critically injured after being shot and are still under treatment. In the course of peaceful protest, Mr. Padam Limbu (Lajehang) died because of police brutality. He died while undergoing treatment in hospital on 24 March 2023.[3] Mr. Limbu was injured in the peaceful protest of 19 March 2023 in Biratnangar. The funeral march for Mr. Lajehang was disrupted by the police on April 22. At least 12 people were hurt as a result.[4]  The movement is still going on despite oppression and gross denials zndf violations of rights by the state.   

Without further delay, the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal urge the UN human rights mechanisms to join CERD in closely scrutinizing these violations of the Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including killings, torture, and use of deadly weapons against peaceful protestors. We also urge the Nepal government to cease the ongoing militarization against the Indigenous Peoples and engage in dialogue for amiable resolution of the conflict.  

Thank you Mr. Chair

Click here to download the full statement by LAHURNIP

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[1] Data collected by struggle committed

[2]This was observed by the LAHURNIP team when they went to the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences to see the injured people who had been hospitalized for treatment, on 28 March 2023.

[3] Man injured during Biratnagar protest demanding renaming of Koshi province dies (kathmandupost.com)

[4]https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-1/2023/04/22/12-injured-in-clash-during-funeral-procession-of-padam-limbu