Desegregation, Punitive Rules and Institutionalization-Remedying Caste Discrimination in a Full Democracy June 6, 2006
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Advocate Santosh Giri and Mameeta Giri Human Rights Lawyers (Nepal)Currently Law Students in
SFO, CA As a supplement to the dissolution of the Parliament in 2002, the February 1st Royal Proclamation ruled out the possibility of an executive based on the elected legislature. The historical decision of the Supreme Court dissolving RCCC, one of the components of the present regime has indeed lifted the veil of the power ruling authority. Increasingly, the political activists have been house-arrested, imprisoned, abducted and even exiled. Local elections have been forced without the representation of the majority of the popular will. Human Rights defenders are being detained in huge numbers. The freedom of press is being infringed day-by-day. And, international communities watch aloof! (more…)
Nepal decleared untouchability, discrimination free country June 5, 2006
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Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, June 5 – A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Sunday declared Nepal as an untouchability-and-discrimination-free country. The historic declaration came after a discussion on a proposal of urgent public importance tabled by CPN-UML lawmaker Parashuram Meghi Gurung. The declaration is expected to act as an important breakthrough in creating an equitable society by bringing together dalits and backward groups into the national mainstream. The proposal, passed unanimously by the HoR, will ensure a fair representation of dalits, comprising almost 22 percent of the population, in the process of forming the constituent assembly and a new constitution. The proposal was seconded by Hari Acharya of People's Front Nepal (PFN), Ram Hari Dhungel of Nepali Congress (NC), Tanka Prasad Rai of NC-D and Govinda Bikram Shah of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) while MPs Lila Mani Pokharel, Tara Meyangbo, Janak Raj Giri, Yadav Bahadur Rayamajhi and Bhakta Bahadur Balayar participated in the discussion supporting the proposal. "The practice of untouchability will now onwards be considered as a social crime and the government will enact laws in such a way that the inhuman and discriminatory practice is more punishable," Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Narendra Bikram Nembang told the House prior to tabling of the proposal for decision. He also assured the House that a new Bill will soon be introduced in this regard. He also assured that the government would make special arrangements for dalits in education and employment sectors, besides the ongoing provision of scholarships for dalit students in schools and reservations in higher studies.
Congratulations to Exe. Dir. R.B.Bagchand. March 16, 2006
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LANCAU Nepal congratulates our Executive Director for achieving the honor of ‘Ambedkar Prize’ for his tireless efforts in the fight against caste based discrimination. Mr. Bagchand is also the receiptent of ‘Nepals Best Legal Practitioner Award’.
Archive News on LANCAU NEPAL March 16, 2006
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A group of lawyers has launched a campaign against the practice of untouchability still rampant in Nepal. The group named as ‘Lawyers’ National Campaign Against Untouchability, Nepal’ is formed to help rooting out the practice from the society. ‘The campaign aims to help usher the implementation of existing constitutional/statutory provisions against untouchability, provisions made in [international] charters against racial discriminations, Durban Declarations (2001) and [associated] work plans against racial discrimination, and HM Government’s [of Nepal] declarations and programs against caste discrimination as announced from time to time’, says a press release by the Campaign.
Categorizing the issues of untouchability into two sectors as Dalit and Non-Dalits, the Campaign has proposed a 12-point program for their action-plan, focusing on the eradication of internal caste discrimination among Dalit castes.One of the obstacles of eradicating the age-old evil practice from the Nepalese society is a bitter fact that it is prevailing among the victimized communities themselves. Traditionally, this has been serving the purpose of feudal rulers, lords and priests nurturing the practice of untouchability as a part of their ‘divide and rule’ policy. Even in the modern days, the evil practice is so deep rooted among our own Dalit communities making it an arduous task for the communities to come out of its cocoon. The efforts made by the lawyers’ group can make affirmative contribution towards gaining momentum of our struggle against the evil practice handed down from centuries. [Posted on 29 April 2004, DPR]
| WHITE PAPER AGAINST CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION January 1, 2005: In a historic move, 13 political parties have released a white paper expressing collective commitment against the caste-based discrimination. The 13-point white paper vows to celebrate the year 2005 as the Year for the Elimination of Untouchability and the period between 2005-2015 as the Decade for the Elimination of Untouchability. The parties have also expressed commitment to take initiatives from all level to dispel negative notions prevalent in society. They have also declared that none of their workers or cadres would engage in such activities. They have also vowed to introduce laws and rules that discourage such practice and help uplift the vulnerable communities. The parties that released the white paper include the Nepali Congress, NC (D), Unified Marxist Leninist (UML), Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP), NSP-Anandidevi, People’s Front, Green Nepal Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Nepal Samata Party, Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist Leninist), Nepal Dalit Shramik Morcha and CPN (Marxist). The paper was an outcome of LANCAU NEPAL with support of Action Aid International. |
Lawyers National Campaign against Untouchability, Nepal 
Fresh incident of atrocities against Dalits in yet another remote district October 25, 2006
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A fresh incident of atrocities against Dalits has been reported from a far western remote district. The scuffle reported to have flared up following a minor dispute between the [so called] upper caste and Dalit people in Sonali Atichour VDC-3 of Achham district. A group of Brahmins and Chhetris then attacked Dalits, according to the National Dalit Network, Nepalnews.com reports.
According to the report, the District president of the Network and few Dalit activists were injured in the clash. Dalits staged protest against the attack Sunday afternoon. District president of the Network and few Dalit activists were injured in the clash. Dalits staged protest against the attack Sunday afternoon. The incident is the latest in a series of violent confrontation between the Dalit and non-Dalits in the far-western region. Few weeks earlier, non-Dalits had attacked a group of Dalits when they tried to enter into a temple for puja in Silgadhi of Dolit district, injuring 50 Dalits.
The nepaldalitinfo condemns any such incident occurring in Nepal, and emphasize that all the people of Dalit community must consolidate their strength and also seek solidarity from all friends of Dalits to fight against the feudal elements who are going against Dalit community even in recent times, when the country is seeking major shakeup in the socio-economic and political structure.