‘Dalits victimized systematically’

‘Dalits victimized systematically’

POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, March 21 -

Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Ian Martin, said that members of Dalit communities, deprived of fundamental rights under the centuries-old caste system have been further victimized systematically by both the government and Maoists.

Referring to a survey report published by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law in 2005, Martin said the report notes that while Maoists root for political empowerment of Dalits as a central tenet of their agenda, "Dalit civilians also face discrimination and egregious abuse at the hands of Maoists themselves," the OHCHR-Nepal chief said while speaking at a program on the occasion of the 41st International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination organized by National Dalit Commission (NDC) and Dalit NGO Federation.

Martin further said that violations by Maoists include murder, torture of those individuals they have deemed adversaries, sexual assault and forced accomodation at private homes.
"While individual Dalit men and women have actively joined Maoist forces, the entire community as a whole is collectively and summarily punished by state agents, even when there is no evidence of their involvement in the insurgency," Martin said.

He also said the ongoing conflict has crippled Dalit communities who are in a state of constant fear and economic deterioration. So his office would seek to address human rights violation against Dalits, members of indigenous nationalities and other minorities.
Lilamani Pokhrel, vice-chairman of People's Front Nepal, said that fundamental rights of Dalit, indigenous nationalities, women and other minorities would not be ensured in the absence of inclusive democracy by eliminating feudalism.

Mohan Mijhar, member of NDC denounced the government decision to formulate a separate Dalit committee under the convenorship of a joint secretary at the Ministry of Local Development without consulting NDC.

At another program organized by National Dalit Federation Nepal, advocate Desh Bhakta Sarki and Prof Basanta Kumar Bishwokarma urged mainstream political parties to bring a convenient modality of Loktantric system that would offer reservation and protection for Dalits and marginalized communities in proportion to their population.

Dr Minendra Rijal of NC-D and Gopal Raj Pahadi of NC outlined the need for political and social transformation to empower large sections of marginalized communities.
Human rights activist Kapil Shrestha urged mainstream political parties to internalize their political commitment into action by changing their perception and behavior toward Dalits.

Dalits barred from entering temple

Meanwhile, our Dipayal Correspondent reports that the privileged classes barred Dalit youths from entering the famous Saileshwori Temple in Dipayal by padlocking the temple door on Tuesday.
Following the incident, a group of youths from Dalit communities staged a sit-in protest program inside the temple premises.

Posted on: 2006-03-21 20:10:29 (Server Time)