Sushil BK, Kathmandu: The speakers stressed the need for effective implementation of the recommendations made by the United Nations on human rights during the Global Periodic Review (UPR).
Speaking at a virtual multi-stakeholder interaction program organized by the Federation of Dalit Non-Governmental Organizations (DNF) they stressed on the exchange of recommendations made by the United Nations during the Global Periodic Review of Human Rights (UPR) and the implementation of the recommendations.
Presenting a paper at the program, Kaushal Chandra Subedi, Joint Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the government has accepted 196 of the 233 recommendations related to UPR and is committed to implement these recommendations. Stating that the recommendations received will be implemented by making a separate action plan, Subedi expressed his commitment to implement the recommendations related to the Dalit community.
Similarly, presenting another paper from the point of view of Dalit community, Rup Sunar informed that there are 15 recommendations related to Dalit community. Declaring that there is a recommendation to give effective justice to the victims by conducting effective investigation of the untouchability incident, effective implementation of the law and setting up of new structure if necessary, and improvement as there is a problem in the law enforcement agencies, Sunar said.
Talking on the occasion, Secretary at the National Human Rights Commission, Murari Kharel, said that the commission was not effective in monitoring the implementation of the second action plan prepared by the government to implement the UPR recommendation. Expressing the view that the gaps in coordination, cooperation and implementation should be identified and move forward accordingly, Secretary Kharel said that the Commission has always been positive towards the issues of the Dalit community.
Secretary of the National Dalit Commission, Nawaraj Dhungana, said that the commission was committed to end discrimination against the Dalit community by implementing the constitution and laws. Stating that all the recommendations received in the UPR should be implemented effectively, Secretary Dhungana said that the government, the commission and the civil society need to work together. He was of the view that a common roadmap could be drawn up if necessary.
Speaking on the occasion, Stephen Mykon, Deputy Chief of Mission of the European Union in Nepal, said that discrimination should end in order to establish a peaceful and egalitarian society and expressed commitment on behalf of the EU to implement the recommendations of the UPR. Similarly, First Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy Torn Lavdal said that it was important to implement the recommendations of the UPR.
Tek Tamrakar of UNDP said that all stakeholders have a role to play in the effective implementation of the government’s action plan, adding that a concrete action plan should be formulated including coordination, cooperation, data management and monitoring. Stating that the UPR should be linked with the goal of sustainable development, Tamrakar pointed out the need to create a separate structure for the implementation of the UPR and the Convention on Human Rights.
Paulo Lugon, UN Advocacy Officer of the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), said that he was happy to prepare a UPR report on behalf of the Dalit community in collaboration with the Dalit NGO Federation and civil society and stressed on effective implementation of the recommendation.
Similarly, Nitu Pokhrel of ASD said that the government should be held accountable for the implementation of the recommendations of the UPR.
Executive Director of INSEC, Vijay Gautam, said that INSEC was positive not only on the time of preparation of the report but also on its implementation.
Rights activist Ganesh BK said that the government would send positive reports only to show at the international level but it would not be implemented in practice. He also said that there was no meaningful participation of Dalits in policy making.
The program was attended by representatives of the diplomatic missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Sri Lanka, Germany, Korea, Finland, Switzerland and Qatar. Other donors working in Nepal, NGOs and civil society leaders and human rights activists in Nepal were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Dalit rights activists complained that Dalit human rights violations have been taking place across the country including the Rukum massacre but the Dalits have not been able to get justice. He also demanded that the government should take concrete steps to protect the rights of dalits.
In the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council held last year, the Government of Nepal submitted a report on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), including a review of Nepal’s overall human rights.
The program was chaired by Bhakta Bishwakarma, Acting President of the Federation of Dalit Non-Governmental Organizations, welcomed by Vice President Sushil BK and conducted by General Secretary JB Bishwakarma.
