The Punya Foundation has asked the Government of Nepal and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to explore the best option to save the lives of 12 women, who have been fasting to death since last Tuesday.
In a joint petition signed by 93 individuals from across the globe, and addressed to Nepalese Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai today, the Foundation said that the women demand that the authority listen to them.
“Unless Nepal government gives them a written commitment, they are willing to sacrifice their life,” said Dr Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Punya Foundation and many people are extremely concerned over the deteriorating situation, according to the petition.
“We would like to request you to spend one minute to give your details below. Your concerns, in a form of an appeal shall be sent to UNHCR, Nepal government, embassies and international human rights watch for their immediate action to assist to stop this fast unto death immediately,” added Director Dhakal.
It further said that not only health of these women, but also health of nine children is at risk.
However, the petition also made it clear that the Foundation was raising the issue based only on health and humanitarian ground and not at political fronts.
Punya Foundation, registered in Adelaide Australia is a charity organization of Bhutanese. It is established with a slogan of ‘justice seeking through education and empowerment’.
In support, my detail are:
Ms. Alice Verheij
film maker / writer
The Hague, Netherlands
I support the hunger strike.The UNHCR and Nepal goverment must adressed it soon since it is the concer of life and death.
K. Sharma
Michigan, USA
a student
It is a issue of high concern on the deterioratring health condition of the 12 women activists in hunger strike.
We are aware that this group of people are genuine exiled Bhutanese and had been appealing for registration of their refugee status since several years. It is a pity that their appeal for asylum had never been taken seriously by GON and UNHCR which has made them take this decisive decision.They are by various reasons left out people in the process of refugee registration in camps in Nepal.
It is learnt that they are firm in the decision not to end their hunger strike unless they get written commitment from GON and UNHCR about the time frame of verification of their Refugee status.
Given the urgency of the situation, it is the moral responsibility of Nepal Govt and UNHCR to address the crisis without any delay.
Durga Giri,
Manchester,UK.
I did not understand what Government of Nepal and UNHCR is waiting and wants to do…….
It is 11 days without food by women…. let the UNHCR and Government representative think what will happen if they dont take their meal for 1 day????????
My heartfelt support and I earnestly requests all concern to take up this issue seriously and give the poor Refugee Status and the aid from different agencies…..
Mona Rath Pokhrel
General Executive