Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRDA) that a Dalit woman was beaten after she rejected a demand to have an illicit sexual relationship with a non-Dalit man in Siraha District of Nepal. The woman has been receiving treatment at the local hospital for her injuries, and is seeking justice.
CASE DETAILS:
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a 30-year-old Dalit woman, resident of Kataha Tole ward number 19, Lahan Municipality, of Siraha district, was beaten mercilessly after she rejected the offer of an illicit sexual relationship by a local non-Dalit man named Bidhyananda Yadav.
Bidhyananda Yadav visited the Dalit woman on January 3. He wanted to have an illicit sexual relationship with her, as her husband is working abroad. The woman rejected it flatly, and told him to stop bothering her. When Bidhyananda kept on insisting, the woman told him that she would inform his family members. Upon being rejected, Bidhyananda became angry and left.
Later that day, the Dalit woman informed Bidhyananda’s family about the illicit sexual relationship he was seeking, but they were not interested to listen to her.
On the following day, January 4, Bidhyananda came with his father Ramasis Yadav at around 10 a.m. to her home. They pulled her hair and dragged her. Ramasis hit her with a bamboo stick. The woman has sustained injuries all over her body, and blue marks are visible. She has been admitted at Lahan hospital for treatment. Her two children are taking refuge at her maternal home.
Relatives and close friends of Bidhyananda and Ramasis accept the beating of the Dalit woman, but deny knowing the reason. The police have not made any arrests so far.
The AHRC requests a prompt and proper investigation into this case. The victim and her family members must be provided safety and security. The perpetrators must be punished as per the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act 2011. The guilty must be punished so that others are deterred from seeking unwanted sexual advances against women and minorities in the country.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the following authorities, calling on them to take necessary action against the people involved in this incident. The police need to immediately arrest the alleged perpetrators, and start a prompt and proper investigation into this case.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, requesting her intervention in this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
NEPAL: Dalit woman beaten after rejecting illicit sexual relationship
Name of victim: 32 years old Dalit woman
Alleged perpetrators: Bidhyananda Yadav and his father Ramasis Yadav, of Siraha District
Date of incident: 3 January to present
Place of incident: Kataha Tole ward number 19, Lahan Municipality, Siraha district
I am writing to voice my deep concern as a 30-year-old Dalit woman, resident of Kataha Tole ward number 19, Lahan Municipality, of Siraha district, was beaten mercilessly after she rejected the offer of an illicit sexual relationship by a local non-Dalit man named Bidhyananda Yadav.
Bidhyananda Yadav visited the Dalit woman on January 3. He wanted to have an illicit sexual relationship with her, as her husband is working abroad. The woman rejected it flatly, and told him to stop bothering her. When Bidhyananda kept on insisting, the woman told him that she would inform his family members. Upon being rejected, Bidhyananda became angry and left.
Later that day, the Dalit woman informed Bidhyananda’s family about the illicit sexual relationship he was seeking, but they were not interested to listen to her.
On the following day, January 4, Bidhyananda came with his father Ramasis Yadav at around 10 a.m. to her home. They pulled her hair and dragged her. Ramasis hit her with a bamboo stick. The woman has sustained injuries all over her body, and blue marks are visible. She has been admitted at Lahan hospital for treatment. Her two children are taking refuge at her maternal home.
Relatives and close friends of Bidhyananda and Ramasis accept the beating of the Dalit woman, but deny knowing the reason. The police have not made any arrests so far.
I request a prompt and proper investigation into this case. The victim and her family members must be provided safety and security. The perpetrators must be punished as per the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act 2011. The guilty must be punished so that others are deterred from seeking unwanted sexual advances against women and minorities in the country.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal
Singh Durbar, Kathmandu
P.O. Box: 23312
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4211000
Fax: +977 1 4211086
Email: info@opmcm.gov.np
2. Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba
Home Minister
Ministry of Home Affairs
Singh Durbar, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 421-1257, 421-1286
Email: gunaso@moha.gov.np
3. Mr. Anupraj Sharma
Chairperson
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. Mr. Basanta Ram Bhandari
Attorney General
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@attorneygeneral.gov.np
5. Mr. Prakash 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. Mr. Sitaram Ghale
Member Secretary
National Dalit Commission
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 5531148
Phone: +977 1 5531148
Email: info@ndc.gov.np
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
