Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that six Dalit women of the Siraha district Nepal were beaten after an argument at a local public well. The non Dalit villagers entered the Dalit settlement and beat the women. The same Dalit women were also previously beaten for using the public well in the village.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Six Dalit women including Sumari Devi Sada (in the picture) from Dhobiyadhara of Chandraudayapur VDC in the Siraha district of Nepal were attacked by men from the Tamang community on 24 February 2014. This incident happened when Sumari Devi had a small argument with a man, Bijay Lama, while using a public well to fetch drinking water.
The men entered the Dalit houses and beat the Dalit women mercilessly for using the public well. The victims have registered a complaint against more than 24 non-Dalits, including Bhusan Lama, Ashok Thapa, Sharada Lama, Bijay Tamang, and Purni Lama, at the area police office. However, the police have not made any arrests so far.
Bijay Lama refused to allow Sumari Devi to fill her water containers and when she told him that she would not be stopped by him he responded with filthy words and beat her.
Bijay further went to the Dalit settlement along with other non-Dalits and thrashed the Dalit women. Sumari Devi Sada, Jahari Sada, Somani Sada, Shanti Sada, Sona Sada and Panchi Devi Sada were injured in the attack. They have received medical treatment at a local clinic.
The male members in the Dalit community had gone abroad and to other districts or for employment. The Dalit women have been beaten in the past for using the village public well. A total of 35 Dalit families rely on the same well as most of the wells located in the north of Siraha district highway have dried up.
The AHRC is concerned that the security of Dalit villagers in this area. Therefore, we urge the Nepal government to provide security to the Dalit villagers as we fear they might be further attacked. The injured Dalits should be provided free medical treatment. Also, we demand an immediate investigation into the incident and the guilty should be brought to justice. Furthermore, the inaction of the police officers should also be investigated.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Caste discrimination had been outlawed in Nepal. However Dalits are routinely beaten and they merely receive any justice. The Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act 2011 in Nepal has been enacted but it has not become very effective to uphold the rights of Dalits and provide remedies. The justice system and rule of law are so decayed that it is of no help to Dalits. Caste based discrimination and human rights violations committed on the basis of caste remain pervasive in Nepal
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the authorities listed below expressing your concern about this incident and request immediate intervention on the issue. The police should arrest the alleged perpetrators and start the investigation at the earliest.
The AHRC has also written a separate letter to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on this regard requesting his intervention.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ______,
NEPAL: Dalit women beaten for using public well in Siraha district
Name of victims: Sumari Devi Sada, Jahari Sada, Somani Sada, Shanti Sada, Sona Sada and Panchi Devi Sada
Names of alleged perpetrators: 24 non Dalit villagers including Bhusan Lama, Ashok Thapa, Sharada Lama, Bijay Tamang, and Purni Lama (all from the Tamang community).
Date of incident: 24 February 2014
Place of incident: Dhobiyadhara of Chandraudayapur VDC in Siraha district, Nepal
I have learned that six Dalit women including Sumari Devi Sada from Dhobiyadhara of Chandraudayapur VDC in Siraha district of Nepal were attacked by non Dalits men on 24 February 2014. This incident happen when Sumari Devi an argument with a non Dalit man Bijay Lama while using a public well to fetch drinking water.
The men entered the Dalit houses and beat the Dalit women mercilessly for using the public well. The victims have registered a complaint against more than 24 non-Dalits, including Bhusan Lama, Ashok Thapa, Sharada Lama, Bijay Tamang, and Purni Lama, at the area police office. However, the police have not made any arrests so far.
I am informed that Bijay Lama refused to allow Sumari Devi to fill her water containers and when she told him that she would not be stopped by him he responded with filthy words and beat her.
I am dismayed to hear that Bijay further went to the Dalit settlement along with other non-Dalits and thrashed Dalit women. Sumari Devi Sada, Jahari Sada, Somani Sada, Shanti Sada, Sona Sada and Panchi Devi Sada were injured in the attack. They have received medical treatment at a local clinic.
The male members in the Dalit community had gone abroad and to other districts or for employment. The Dalit women have been beaten in the past for using the village public well. I am informed that 35 Dalit families rely on the same well as most of the wells located in the north of Siraha district highway have dried up.
Therefore I request the government and authorities concerned to provide protection to the victims and launch a thorough and impartial investigation into this incident to take legal action against the perpetrators and compensation to the victims. I also request that an inquiry is held into the inaction of the local police to take action against the perpetrators.
I look forward for your quick and positive response in this matter.
Sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Sushil Koirala
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal
Singh Darbar, Kathmandu
P.O. Box: 23312
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4211000
Fax: +977 1 4211086
Email: info@opmcm.gov.np
2. Mr. Bamdev Gautam
Home Minister of Nepal
Home Ministry
Singh Darbar, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 42 11 232
3. Mr. Bed Prasad Bhattarai
Acting Secretary
National Human Rights Commission
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 55 47973
Tel: +977 1 5010015
E-mail: complaints@nhrcnepal.org or nhrc@nhrcnepal.org
4. Attorney General of Nepal
Office of Attorney General
Ramshah Path, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4240210, +977 1 4262548, +977 1 4262394
Fax: +977 1 4262582 / 4218051
Email: info@attorneygeneraal.gov.np
5. Mr. Upendra Kant Aryal
Inspector General of Police
Police Head Quarters
Naxal, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 4415593
Tel: +977 1 4412432
Email: phqigs@nepalpolice.gov.np
6. Ms. Sushila Sirpali (Thakuri)
Chairperson
National Dalit Commission
Government of Nepal
Mid Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
P. O. Box: 13785, Kathmandu
Phone: +977-1-4473317, 4474336, 4479828, 4479019, 4479818
Fax: +977-1-4475989
Email: info@ndc.gov.np
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
