The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an end to the protection of those involved in sensitive incidents such as caste discrimination and untouchability. The Commission has issued a press release on June 30, 2021, stating that it has been discriminating against journalist Rupa Sunar based on her ethnic identity.
The Commission has taken the incident seriously and is closely monitoring the investigation by the police and law enforcement agencies. In this regard, the Commission has stated that all the subordinate bodies including the Government of Nepal have the responsibility to protect, promote and fulfil all kinds of human rights including caste-based discrimination.
The Commission has urged the government to take such incidents as sensitive and bring the perpetrators to justice through fair and effective investigation of the incident and to protect the right of the victims to justice, dignity, and equality. The commission also discussed with Minister Krishna Gopal Shrestha the issue of taking the perpetrators of inhumane and sensitive incidents such as caste-based discrimination in a government vehicle and taking them home.
During the discussion, Minister Shrestha said that he should not have been involved in the incident, realized that he would not have gone in the government vehicle in the incident, and said that he would be vigilant to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.
It is mentioned in the release that the chairperson and members of the commission have taken interest in the opinion of the hon’ble minister in the incident of Rupa Sunar regarding caste discrimination and instructed not to repeat such incidents. Nepal has been a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and has been expressing its commitment in international fora to eradicate caste discrimination.
The Constitution of Nepal, Ethnic and Other Social Untouchability and Discrimination (Fault and Punishment) Act 2068 and the Criminal Code 2074 have made provisions for punishment by making caste discrimination a legal crime. He also requested all parties concerned to exercise limitation and maintain social harmony while presenting their views on social media. It is mentioned in the press release issued by Tikaram Pokharel.