PATAN, June 4: Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal has asserted that the Federal Parliament is committed to the effective implementation of rights of Dalit community managed in Article 40 of the Constitution.
At a programme organised by the National Dalit Commission here today on the occasion of National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Untouchability, the Speaker opined that it was responsibility of the state, political parties, civil society, media, educational institutions and all citizens to end the racial discrimination and untouchability, not only of the government.
He argued that the Nepali society could not become truly just and equitable without ensuring respect, security, equal opportunity and justice to Dalit community.
Deputy Speaker Ruby Thakur assumes office
Speaker Aryal clarified that the parliament is completely aware about the problems, sufferings and challenges facing the Dalit community and therefore the parliament was committed to resolve the problems.
Pointing out the need to forward social awareness, legal implementation and economic empowerment simultaneously, he underlined that it would be difficult to bring change through social awareness until Dalit community is economically empowered.
The Speaker laid emphasis on the need for effective implementation of constitutional and legal provisions as incidents of discrimination are still taking place in various forms in practice though remarkable progress against racial discrimination have been achieved through constitutional, legal and policy arrangements.
Cases of untouchability are still taking place in public places, schools, health institutions, religious sites and the employment sector, he added, underscoring that the Federal parliament is continuously active to further strengthen necessary legal and policy arrangements for effective implementation of Article 40 of the Constitution.
Similarly, Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security, Sita Badi shared that he is active in protection of the rights of Dalit Community as Nepal is a party to different international treaties and commitments related to human rights.
On the occasion, Chairperson of the National Dalit Commission, Dev Raj Bishwokarma, and Attorney General Dr Narayan Datta Kandel, among others, delivered welcome speeches.
