UN, Dalit organizations welcome new law prohibiting caste-based discrimination
Thu, 2011-05-26 12:24 — editor
Kosit R. Koirala Reporting From Nepal
Kathmandu, 26 May, (Asiantribune.com):
UN human rights officials and Nepali human rights activists have
jointly welcomed a new law prohibiting discrimination against people
who are considered members of low castes and are known as
"untouchables" or "Dalits."
The Bill on Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability that was
passed on Tuesday had been before Parliament for the past two years.
The new law states that caste-based discrimination and untouchability
practices are prohibited in both public and private spheres, and
increases punishments for public officials found responsible of
discrimination. It also requires perpetrators to provide compensation
to victims and criminalizes incitement for caste-based discrimination.
According to UN News Center, Jyoti Sanghera, who heads OHCHR-Nepal,
stressed on ensuring effective implementation of the newly-introduced
law and taking appropriate measures such as raising awareness of the
law amongst the general public and specific training for the police.
"This is the first time ever Nepal has adopted specific legislation
for addressing the serious crime of caste-based discrimination and
untouchability," she noted.
According to OHCHR and the National Dalit Commission, discrimination
remains widespread in Nepal and has been blamed for the political,
social and economic exclusion of millions of Nepalis on the basis of
gender, caste, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and religion.
The two bodies have continued to record cases of physical assault,
arson, forced displacement, sexual violence and labor exploitation
resulting from caste-based discrimination.
Bijul Bishwakarma, the Chairperson of National Dalit Commission, said
he hopes the passing of the new law will prove to be a milestone in
access to justice for the Dalits, who have undergone extreme suffering
due to caste-based discrimination and untouchability for centuries,
according to a joint statement issued by OHCHR-Nepal and the National
Dalit Commission.
- Asian Tribune -
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