From: Gerard Oonk <g.oonk@indianet.nl>
Date: Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 9:37 PM
Subject: Join the 100 days campaign against caste-discrimination and
untouchability launched in Nepal
To: ICN.India.News@server.liw.local
PLEASE SHARE THIS WIDELY
PRESS RELEASE:
100 day campaign against caste discrimination and untouchability
launched in Nepal
"I commit to end caste-based discrimination and untouchability!" said
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, in her video
message, kicking off the bold 100 day campaign launched by her office
and the National Dalit Commission (NDC) in Nepal.
September 21, 2011---The High Commissioner is encouraging everyone to
pledge their commitment to end caste discrimination* and
untouchability and the campaign website is collecting pledges and
turning them into colourful fingerprints symbolising all those who are
against this atrocious type of discrimination.
The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) has been working to
end caste discrimination for more than a decade and wholeheartedly
welcomes this new campaign.
"The campaign is a fantastic initiative and we would like to encourage
everyone to go to the website and register their commitment to help
end one of the biggest human rights issues the world is facing today,"
says IDSN Coordinator, Rikke Nöhrlind.
While the campaign is primarily focused on Nepal, IDSN would like to
encourage the global community, Dalits and human rights defenders in
other caste affected countries to take this opportunity to pledge
their support to a cause that can help 260 million people affected by
caste discrimination worldwide out of oppression.
IDSN would also like to encourage political leaders, business leaders
and influential decision makers from across the globe to speak out
against caste discrimination and to go to the campaign website and
make their pledge to end caste discrimination.
The President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, has led the way by
inaugurating the campaign, giving his commitment and commenting that,
"It is a matter of shame to know that people in the 21st century are
still practising caste discrimination and untouchablility."
The government of Nepal recently introduced Caste-based Discrimination
and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2011. NDC and OHCHR
partnered in 2008 to jointly advocate for the swift passage of the
draft caste-based discrimination and untouchability bill and for its
compliance with international standards.
"By taking this important step to end these practices, Nepal has
become a leader on the world stage in the fight against caste-based
discrimination," said Ms. Pillay in her speech commending the role
Nepal has taken in this global struggle.
Various awareness-raising programs like audio-visual activities,
distribution of posters and pamphlets and interaction programs among
others will be organised country-wide throughout the 100 days campaign
till it comes to an end on 24 December 2011.
More Information:
Visit the campaign website and make you pledge against
caste-discrimination:
http://www.100daysagainstcastediscrimination.com/index.php
Download the High Commissioner's statement as a PDF:
http://www.100daysagainstcastediscrimination.com/downloads/UN_HCHR_Message_on_Campaign_Launch.TRANSCRIPT.ENG.pdf
Learn more about caste discrimination: http://idsn.org/caste-discrimination/
Visit the IDSN website: http://www.idsn.org/
Visit the website of the Dalit Networki Netherlands:
http://dalits.nl/english.html
* Caste discrimination subjects those at the bottom of the caste
system, known as Dalits or 'untouchables', to horrific acts of
repression and violence and forces them to live in apartheid style
segregation from the rest of society, severely impairing equal rights
in access to work, education and basic services such as water,
sanitation and healthcare. There are 260 million Dalits globally, with
the majority living in South Asia.
--------------------------------------------------
Gerard Oonk
director India Committee of the Netherlands
and co-ordinator Dalit Network Netherlands
Mariaplaats 4e, 3511 LH Utrecht
The Netherlands
http://www.indianet.nl
------------------------------------
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