Geneva, July 1 — Nepal has been urged to strengthen its efforts to eliminate caste-based discrimination and untouchability during the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), as civil society organizations called for stronger implementation of legal protections and greater political representation for Dalit communities.
Delivering an oral statement under Agenda Item 6 on Nepal's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Raj Kumar B.K. spoke on behalf of Jagaran Media Centre (JMC) and the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN).
The statement acknowledged the Government of Nepal's commitment to implementing recommendations received under the UPR process but stressed that significant gaps remain in addressing systemic caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits, women, and girls.
The organizations emphasized the urgent need to ensure equitable access to quality education for Dalit children and to effectively enforce the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act, 2011.
According to the statement, despite the legal abolition of caste-based discrimination in 1963, Dalit communities continue to face widespread discrimination in land ownership, political representation, higher education, and employment. The organizations also noted that caste-based violence, social exclusion, and social boycotts remain prevalent, with inter-caste marriages often resulting in serious violence.
The statement referred to the recent rape and murder of 16-year-old Inisha B.K., describing the incident as one that sparked nationwide protests and renewed demands for justice and accountability for violence against women and Dalit communities.
While welcoming the historic appointment of Hon. Sita Badi as Nepal's first Dalit woman Federal Cabinet Minister, the organizations stated that the government's apology to the Dalit community should be accompanied by meaningful structural reforms and economic reparations.
The organizations presented three key recommendations to the Government of Nepal:
The organizations concluded by urging Nepal to translate its international human rights commitments into concrete actions that guarantee equality, justice, and dignity for Dalit communities.
