The National Human Rights Commission today urged the government to implement legal provisions against caste discriminations and make special arrangements for elimination of all forms of discriminations based on caste.

On the occasion of the International Day for Elimination of Caste Discrimination, the NHRC also urged the political parties, the civil society and other stakeholders concerned to realise and respect the fact that all human beings are equal.

A media release issued by the NHRC said the agenda of elimination of caste-based discrimination has been the first priority in the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls, which should ensure proportional representation of all communities.

The NHRC has recalled that Nepal has ratified the International Convention against Caste Discrimination in 1971, declared the country free from caste discrimination and included the rights against caste discrimination and ‘untouchability’ as a fundamental rights in the interim constitution.

Date: 21 March 2008

Source: The Rising Nepal