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A Discussion Forum Organized on 42nd Civil Code Day (July 17, 2004 / Bhadra 1, 2061)
A Discussion Forum to commemorate the 42nd Civil Code Day was organized by LANCAU, Nepal in the hall of Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikutimandap. The program of the talk revolved around the topic, “Reformation in the Criminal Justice System for the Elimination of Untouchability”. It began with the visual clips of the drinking water taps and hand pumps constructed by state separately for Dalit and Non- Dalit. The visual clips gradually followed by an another short documentary and a power point presentation showed a case study of Nanda Sarki and followed by a concept paper prepared by the Organization.
The audiences were provided with the Meta Cards to write down their queries or suggestions made to the guest speakers invited from the relevant agencies of government and Civil Society.
The public raised various questions to the chiefs of the related agencies of government and civil society organization. Minister of Law, Justice and parliamentary Affairs, Attorney General, Chairman of Nepal Law Reform Commission, Member of Nepal Human Right Commission, Secretary of Home Ministry, President of Nepal Bar Association, Chief of Crime Investigation Department Nepal Police and Principal of Kathmandu School of Law were the main Speakers in the program.
Nepal Bar Association, Crime Investigation Department and Secretary of Home Ministry were absent in the program where as others attended their role.
All the speakers in the course of answering the questions posed from the floor have committed to remain dutiful to eliminate Untouchability practices. Few excerpts of commitments and views expressed by the Guests are as the following:
Minister of Law: Dalit Act is under Construction, and Civil Code Act on the process of re-writing, Home work completed Dalit representation will be given priority in the new appointments of the Judges and Government lawyers.
Attorney General: Hard and Fast laws required for elimination of Untouchability. Law in itself is not enough, and so a social revolution is required.
Law Reform Commission: Progressive Laws will be introduced in the near future to eliminate Untouchability.
Nepal Human Right Commission: Untouchability is the Severe Violation of Human Right it should not be practiced any more. I am sad to say that Human Right Commission in this regard has not been sincere and I myself am unhappy with the biasness I have been facing from NHRC.
Principal of Kathmandu School of Law: 1) First of all, state itself has to be clear about the discriminatory practices of Untouchability. The state should enforce the law that disqualifies the promotion of government officials practicing Untouchability or should demote one who practices Untouchability. 2) This issue under the international crime of Apartheid should be internationalized to have the faster effect on the action of elimination of Untouchability.
The program ended with final wrap up from Mr Raj Kumar Trikhatri, a professional, from Action Aid International Nepal. Mr Trikahtri in his wrap up highlighted the major commitments expressed on behalf of relevant agencies and reforms that were felt necessary during the Discussion Forum.
Reported by: Sam Nepal, Program Coordinator, LANCAU-Nepal, Kathmandu.