FIAN Nepal is working on Human right to adequate food since 2008. After successful on pilot phase programme initiated in 2009, FIAN Nepal officially launched “Initiating and supporting a process towards implementing human right to adequate food in Nepal” project on 8 July 2012. FIAN Nepal’s actions focuses in strengthening capacities of people in particular the vulnerable and affected communities from the right to food violations to take informed actions towards ensuring their right to food and thus contribute to reducing hunger and poverty, in Nepal.
A program was organized in Kathmandu which was chaired by Honorable Chairperson of NHRC-Nepal, Mr. Kedarnath Upadhyaya. Other noted personalities that occupied the guest of honor seats in the program included Mrs. Jeevan Prabha Lama, Director General at Department of Food Technology, Quality and Control, Mr. Hari K.C from MoAC, Mr. Kailashnath Pyakurel, Assistant Dean at University of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Netra Timsina, Chairperson of NGO federation of Nepal, Ms. Yamuna Ghale, FIAN-Nepal Advisor, and Chairperson of FIAN-Nepal Dr. Sarbaraj Khadka. The guest of honor stressed the need to frame policies and acts for the realization of RtF in Nepal. The food insecurity situation of Nepal placing Nepal in 16th position among the 31 countries was informed and also the nutritional status of women and children that is bleak was informed to the participants.
The RtF violation case of Gandharva living on the banks of Mankhola, Bardiya was informed to the participants by General Secretary of Gandharva Bikas Samaj Mr. Dilip Gandharva. Ms. Sasili Pariyar of Balapur village struggle committee shared the experience of their struggle for resettlement in suitable places after risk of displacement due to two government projects namely; Sikta Irrigation and Banke National Park. A documentary on the extra territorial obligation on the Lakshmanpur dam and kalkalwa afflux constructed by Indian Government wreaking havoc and displacing thousands of people in 6 VDCs in Banke district was shown to the participants. The relationship between government agencies and I/NGOs, mutual understanding and trust between the two to ensure that people’s rights are not violated especially RtF was unanimously voiced by the participants and the guest of honor because it is related with the quality of life and is the basis of all human rights.
People’s right to food as mentioned in the UDHR, ICESCR and the interim constitution of Nepal was also shared by the guest of honors. The participants provided suggestions and also raised questions of importance during the discussion. Some of the suggestions provided by the participants included Coordination and Networking with CSO’s and government agencies for effectiveness of the states obligation, FIAN-Nepal should work for RtF from people’s perspective rather than merely as a project. It should also include nutrition especially of women and children in its RtF works. They also raised queries as to why government has not taken concrete steps to resolve the Lakshmanpur dam issue with India. The compensation package for maize failure in Bara district and paddy failure in Baitadi district was a cause of concern for the participants. They raised questions on the efforts taken to dispose contaminated, adulterated and outdated food for ensuring people eat healthy and nutritious food and also the compensation provided to the people who suffered because by consuming such food.
The closing remarks of the launch program was provided by Dr. Sarbaraj Khadka informing that FIAN- Nepal’s efforts are directed towards ensuring the RtF of vulnerable community and making the state accountable. He stressed the need of coordination among Human rights agencies to ensure the Human Rights of people and promotion of ESCR in the country. He thanked all for accepting the invitation of FIAN-Nepal and actively participating in the program and providing suggestions and feedbacks to ensure RtF of vulnerable communities.
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