The National Human Rights Commission has urged to be sensitive and implement the prevailing law towards serious human rights issues such as caste based discrimination and untouchability.
The commission made the following request through a press release on 3 June on the occasion of 18 years since the declaration of the nation as a ‘caste-based untouchability-free nation. The Commission has requested all three levels of government, political parties, civil society, all religious organizations, human rights activists and citizens to end caste based discrimination and untouchability.
In the press release, it is highlighted that the constitution of Nepal provides several rights and protections to end caste discrimination and untouchability including the right to live with dignity, the right to equality, the right of a victims, the right against untouchability and caste discrimination, the right of Dalits, the right to social justice. Additionally, the constitution also provides various constitutional bodies to uphold and enforce these rights.
The commission reminded that it has been working on this issue in relation to the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2011, and the National Penal (Code) Act, 2017, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965.
Similarly, the commission in the release has also mentioned the government’s announcement to form a Dalit Development Authority through policies and programs, and further stated that Nepal has also expressed its international commitment to end caste-based discrimination and untouchability with given constitutional and legal arrangements. Despite these arrangements, the Dalit community still suffers from violence, abuses, and inhuman behavior in various situations like inter-caste marriages, renting rooms, temple entry, fetching water from wells, in hotels, and many more due to the failure in implementing the laws effectively.
Furthermore, in the release issued by Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, Joint Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, it is mentioned that, the commission has been receiving complaints regarding cases of caste-based discrimination and untouchability not being registered, lack of effective investigation, pressure for reconciliation from various parties, and absence of awareness programs on this issue by the government. Out of the 61 complaints related to caste based discrimination and untouchability received in the commission so far, the commission has recommended 17 complaints and 251 people have been recommended for compensation.