This is a Hundred Day Campaign jointly organized by the National Dalit Commission (NDC) and the United Nations Human Rights Office in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal). On 16th September, the President of Nepal officially inaugurated the launch of the campaign and over a 100 participants, including Government representatives, Human Rights Defenders and media personalities, took part in the campaign's first National Consultation programme.
The ISSUE: Despite national legal standards and international obligations, caste discrimination and untouchability practices are still prevalent in Nepal, particularly in rural parts of the country.
This campaign AIMS: to widely disseminate the content of the recently promulgated Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act 2068 to ensure its effective implementation. The ultimate goal is to ensure that victims as well as their family members are able to invoke the rule of law in order to access justice. A culture of accountability must replace the present culture of impunity in Nepal.
Campaign activities: Throughout the 100 day campaign, until its completion on 24th December 2011, various awareness-raising activities will be organized country-wide in collaboration with government authorities, human rights defenders, media and civil society members.
Ending: This campaign will formally end after a 100 days. However, its spirit and soul will live on, and continue to ignite the commitment to end caste discrimination and untouchability, helping thereby to ensure the effective elimination of one of the most degrading forms of human rights violations.
United Nations Human Rights Office in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal)
SILU Building, Museum Road, Chhauni, Kathmandu
Telephone: +977 1 428 0164
Fax: +977 1 467 0712, 467 0713, 4671 940
