नेपालमा भएको दलित हत्यामा न्याय मागौँ

सञ्चार माध्यममा आएका प्रतिवेदनहरूअनुसार रुपन्देही जिल्लामा बलात्कृत १२ वर्षीया बालिकालाई जबर्जस्ती विवाह गराउने गाउँलेहरूको समूहमा स्थानीय सरकारका एक प्रतिनिधि पनि सामेल थिए । पश्चिम रुकुम जिल्लाका अर्का स्थानीय प्रतिनिधि हिंसात्मक झुण्डमा संलग्न भएको कारण अहिले प्रहरी हिरासतमा छन् ।

यी घटनाहरूमा न्याय प्राप्तिको लागि घटनाका संदिग्ध पीडकहरूलाई उत्तरदायी बनाउन सक्षम एक स्वतन्त्र, प्रभावकारी र विश्वसनीय अनुसन्धान हुनु आवश्यक छ ।

आउनुहोस् दलित हिंसा र हत्याका घटनामा जवाफदेहिता र न्याय सुनिश्चित गर्नका लागि नेपाली अधिकारीहरूलाई आह्वान गरौँ ।

यो अनुरोध पत्र (petition) मा हस्ताक्षर गरी नेपालका गृहमन्त्री राम बहादुर थापा “बादल” लाई निम्न कुराको लागि अनुरोध गरौँ :

• हालै भएका दलित हत्यासम्बन्धी घटनाको स्वतन्त्र र निष्पक्ष अनुसन्धान सुनिश्चित गर्न,
• निष्पक्ष सुनुवाइका माध्यमबाट संदिग्ध पीडकहरूलाई न्यायको कठघरामा ल्याउन,
• पीडित र तिनका परिवारलाई परिपूरण प्रदान गर्न र साक्षीहरूको सुरक्षा र संरक्षण सुनिश्चित गर्न,
• दलितहरूको जीवन र मर्यादाको अधिकार संरक्षणका लागि विद्यमान कानुनहरूको प्रभावकारी कार्यान्वयन लगायत अन्य आवश्यक कदमहरू तत्काल चाल्न ।

A series of killings of young Dalits in Nepal, including a 12-year-old girl found hanging from a tree, show that caste-based discrimination is rampant in the country. The government is failing to enforce laws against discrimination, the Dalit community needs protection, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

On May 23,  a 12-year-old Dalit girl from Rupandehi district, Nepal was found hanging from a tree. A day before, she was forcibly married to her rapist, a man from a dominant caste. A preliminary police investigation found that she had been raped and murdered. A complaint was lodged by the police only after pressure from the civil society.

On the same day, May 23, in West Rukum district, 18 young men, mostly Dalits, were targeted by a violent mob. Hurling stones and epithets, more than 50 people from the village belonging to a dominant caste chased the young men to the edge of the river. Over the next several days, the bodies of six men were recovered from the river. Four of the six men were Dalits. 

Reports, including the observation from a group of Parliamentarians who visited the site of the incident, suggest that this act of violence was premeditated and was the outcome of caste-based discrimination. Among the dead is 21-year-old Nabraj BK, who was attacked by the villagers because he was in a relationship with a 17-year-old girl from the village and belonged to a dominant caste.

According to media reports, a local government representative was part of the group of villagers who organized the forced marriage of the raped 12-year-old Dalit girl in Rupandehi district. Another local government representative, from Rukum district, is now in police custody for his involvement with the violent mob.

For justice to be realized, there needs be an independent, effective and credible investigation that holds the suspected perpetrators accountable.

Take action now and call on the Nepali authorities to ensure accountability and justice in the death of and violence against the Dalits.

Sign the petition urging Nepal’s Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ to:

• Ensure independent and impartial investigation into the recent killings of Dalits.
• Bring the suspected perpetrators to justice through fair trials.
• Provide reparations to the victims and families of victims and ensure the safety and protection of the witnesses.
• Take urgent action to protect the right to life and dignity of Dalits in Nepal through effective implementation of the existing laws.