March 21st is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed throughout the world. On this important day, efforts in the fight against discrimination based on race and caste are consolidated. This day reminds us of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa in 1960, when police opened fire on hundreds of peaceful demonstrators against apartheid's passbook laws, killing 69 and wounding 186 people. To ensure it would never be forgotten, in 1966, the United Nations declared March 21st the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.Dalits in Nepal commemorate this day every year to eradicate caste-based discrimination and untouchability in their society. The International Theme for 2016 is "Challenges and Achievements of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action—15 years after". But the government of Nepal has not carried out its obligations to ensure public awareness of the anti-discriminatory provisions of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA). Neither government nor civil society has been able enough to make the declaration and program of action instrumental, as committed in the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in 2001.
Dalits are excluded from full participation in political life and debate around public policy, and denied basic human rights and public amenities. Nepal passed the Caste Discrimination and Untouchability Act (Offence and Punishment) 2011 in order to make caste-based discrimination illegal. But its implementation has not been satisfactory as caste-based atrocities continue to occur throughout the country. For Nepal still lacks commitment to eliminate caste-based discrimination and untouchability, even after the promulgation of new constitution. Nepali Dalits still lag behind in social, economic, educational, political and religious fields, and are deprived of human dignity and social justice.
They are deprived from exercising their human rights, and their life standard is deplorable. Dalits are not provided opportunities to participate in social and political affairs on an equal footing; they are treated as untouchables by the so-called higher caste people. There has been inadequate investment to sensitize public officials and raise public awareness in order to change social behavior and discriminatory attitudes. In terms of providing them equal opportunities and ensuring social justice, very little effort has been made by political actors.
There is a need to eliminate caste-based discrimination in state affairs and establish a just society. In the run up to effectively implementing a new constitution, the issue of social reform assumes great significance. If our government and political actors are working to build a peaceful and discrimination-free Nepal, they need to address fundamental human rights issues. Dalit people are hopeful that they will be able to live a dignified life after the full implementation of new constitution. The Dalit community also expects government commitment to penalize caste-based discrimination and respect Dalits as equal citizens.
The international community has been advising Nepal's civil society and government to review existing laws and put a ban on untouchability and punish those who practice discrimination. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon says: "The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a world of justice and equality where xenophobia and bigotry do not exist. We must learn the lessons of history and acknowledge the profound damage caused by racial discrimination." All over the world, legislations have been passed to outlaw racial and caste discrimination. But in Nepal, the struggle to end caste-based discrimination is far from over. This important day could be an opportunity to remind ourselves of this.
The commitment should come from government and political forces to punish those who commit caste discrimination and practice untouchability. To provide justice to the Dalit community, effective laws should be drafted against untouchability, as per the provision of new constitution. Creating an environment in which Dalits enjoy their rights without obstacles requires timely laws, policies and regulations which are integral for the implementation of international covenants and conventions against discrimination and other human rights instruments.
The excluded groups, including women and Dalits, should enjoy changes in their lives with immediate access to justice when their human rights are violated. The Dalit movement has been demanding that the Dalit community be represented in political and social institutions, while denouncing caste-based discrimination and untouchability.
Everyone has a role in eradicating caste-based discrimination and untouchability. It is only through constant vigilance, broad involvement and timely interventions that we can end such discriminations. Dalit community in Nepal must also continue their struggle against caste-based discrimination and untouchability to create an equitable and just society.
This year—the 51st International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination—should be observed to remind the people about the negative consequences of caste-based discrimination and untouchability. The Dalit movement needs to exert pressure on the government to observe March 21 as a national festival in order to spread the message for complete abolition of caste-based discrimination. It should ask the government to remember its obligations, and the people to adhere to their individual and collective responsibility to fight caste discrimination.
The author is human rights and inclusion expert and executive director of Jana Utthan Pratisthan
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