Local body assures execution of verdicts

KATHMANDU, July 21: Acting upon the request of the human rights organizations, local government authorities, including senior superintendent of police of Mahakali zone and deputy superintendent of police in Baitadi, have assured the National Dalit Commission (NDC) and the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR) that two discrimination related verdicts would be implemented at the earliest.



The first verdict, which was issued in January 2009, relates to a sentence of two-year imprisonment issued by the Baitadi district court to the main perpetrator and a fine of Rs 25,000. In this case, 12 Dalits were physically assaulted and robbed after they refused to follow discriminatory rituals. [break]



The second decision, issued by the same court in March 2010, is in relation to an assault of the father of a Dalit groom during a wedding ceremony for practicing “rituals reserved for high-caste communities”.



Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the OHCHR said that despite repeated calls by human rights organizations, including the NDC, the National Human Rights Commission and OHCHR, the court decisions have yet to be implemented.



The members of a joint OHCHR-NDC mission raised serious concerns regarding this matter and urged the authorities to take the necessary action in accordance with the law.



OHCHR and the NDC have also in the statement welcomed the assurance of the local authorities to enforce the verdicts during their meetings and expect that appropriate steps would be taken as a matter of urgency, the statement added.



The four-day joint mission, led by the chairperson of the NDC, was aimed at assessing the overall human rights situation of Dalit communities.

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