http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201105/s3228267.htm
Nepal takes first step towards banning caste-based discrimination
Updated May 26, 2011 21:53:11
The United Nations and rights advocates in Nepal have welcomed the
passing of a draft bill in parliament that outlaws caste-based
discrimination.
It's a milestone for Nepal, where for centuries the Dalit minority,
once known as 'untouchables' have faced poverty and abuse.
Reporter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Ganesh Kaliraj, vice president, Dalit Welfare Organisation,
Nepal; Rikke Nohrlind, coordinator, International Dalit Solidarity
Network, Norway; Katia Chirizzi, coordinator Anti-discrimination,
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, United Nations Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nepal
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HILL: They make up 20 per cent of the population, but Nepal's Dalit
have appalling literacy levels and lower life expectancies, they're
subject to violence, forced labour and prostitution and they're rarely
given the opportunity to legally redress these problems. It's been
centuries of prejudice against the lowest caste in the Hindu-based
social system.
KALIRAJ: Even today, also everywhere, facing violence in the temples,
in the teashop, in public places, this happens right now.
HILL: Ganesh Kaliraj, the vice president of the Dalit Welfare
Organisation in Kathmandu, is one of those traditionally known as
'impure'. His application for rental properties in the capital have
been rejected, he's been barred entry to hotels and the possibility of
he or any of his lower-caste community owning property is extremely
remote. It's been illegal to discriminate based on caste in Nepal for
years, but Ganesh Kaliraj says nothing's changed.
KALIRAJ: Communities they are not educated properly because of their
caste. They are denied the legal system. They are always thinking this
is the system, this cultural system.
HILL: Two years ago the Nepalese government presented a draft bill -
the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Crime Act - a bill
that aims to bring policy and practice in Nepal in line with the
United Nations human rights conventions it's party to. The UN urged
the passing of the bill, saying it would strengthen the fight against
discrimination. Rikke Nohrlind, the coordinator of Norway-based
International Dalit Solidarity Network, says it's an incredibly big
victory for the Dalit's of Nepal.
NORHLIND: And this has been one of the most important issued pursued
by them for the last 10 years. It's one of the key cornerstones to
eradicating caste-based discrimination in the country.
HILL: A long time advocate for the elimination of caste-based
discrimination, Rikke Nohrlind says she's still shocked by the
brutality of caste prejudice - which she says effects at least 260
million people worldwide. She says in Nepal, Dalit are subject to 205
different forms of discrimination - in all spheres of life. She's just
returned from a trip to Nepal, where she consulted advocacy groups on
the new bill, and the future of the fight for Dalit recognition. She
says in Nepal there is true hope for lasting change.
NOHRLIND: There is a lot of windows of opportunity in this society of
transformation. There is political will. Of course enforcement and
implementation is always key. But with the right stakeholders being
involved and being truly committed to this, I'm truly optimistic.
HILL: But as Katia Chirizzi, from the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights points out, there's a long way to
go.
CHIRIZZI: Our office has been heavily engaged since its establishment
in monitoring cases of abuses of victims of caste-based discrimination
and untouchability and one of the most recurring findings we came
across is the very low understanding on the side of victims of their
rights.... it is a crime not a social phenomenon as many want to
suggest and indicate. We are talking about a deeply rooted form of
discrimination. We're looking at a process that would require time.
HILL: Are you talking years or generations?
CHIRIZZI: Well we will all help that it's years and not generations
but, again, the introduction of such an important piece of legislation
will play an important role in this process.
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