Lawmakers submit memo to NHRC against untouchability

Kathmandu / Dec 5: Parliamentarians from the Nepali Congress (NC) have urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to immediately bring into effect the assurance of human rights and entitlements of Dalit community specified in the constitution and laws of Nepal and international human rights instruments.

Submitting a memorandum to NHRC Chairperson Anup Raj Sharma on Monday, a section of parliamentarians including Jeevan Pariyar, Man Bahadur Biswokarma, Khadga Bahadur Basyal and Sujata Pariyar have appealed to the constitutional human rights body to investigate into the cases of human rights violations caused by caste-based discrimination and untouchability and recommend to the government for necessary actions.

The delegation also demanded the setup of a Dalit Department/Section within the Commission so as to look after complaints on the violation of Dalit rights and conduct nationwide programme against the breach of human rights of Dalit community.

Lawmaker Jeevan Pariyar demanded 20 per cent reservation to Dalit candidates while filling vacancy in the NHRC and arrange national and international training for Dalit employees working at NHRC for their capacity enhancement.

On the occasion, NHRC Chairperson Sharma pledged to set up a separate desk to look after the cases of Dalit community. “The Commission is seriously taking the cases of Dalit community and has also been implementing reservation system since long time back”.

The Dalit community that covers almost 20 per cent country populace is still reeling under precarious condition. A big discrimination is still prevailing among the citizens being based on the caste and ethnicity in today’s 21st century”, stated the memo. RSS