KATHMANDU, MARCH 21

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has assured that the entire State and authorities concerned would act responsibly for the protection and promotion of the rights of Dalit who suffer caste-based discrimination and exploitations for centuries.

In his address to a programme organised to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination here today, the Prime Minister recommended the special rights for Dalits with the compensation and the effective enforcement of the provision of positive discrimination to prepare foundations for a greater development and progress of the Dalit community with the guarantee of their political, economic, social and cultural rights and the right to equality. 'The government is committed to play a role for the formulation of progressive laws, revisions to the existing provisions and managerial corrections for the rights of Dalits.'

Describing untouchability and caste-based discriminations as a specific issue of concern of the South Asia, the Prime Minister said historical facts showed that the Dalits had been suffering discriminations from the State level since the time of Manu, the scripter of Manusmriti (Laws of Manu).

On the occasion, the head of the government said the Dalit community in Nepal observed the Day since 2046 BS and the same agency and movement not only contributed to internationalizing the agenda of Dalits but also provided a ground them for further struggles and achievement.

'May this Day inspire all to develop the sentiments of equality alongside awareness about justice and freedom and implement the commitments to make untouchability-free society and for nation-building,' he said. The Day is observed across the world including Nepal every year on March 21. The United Nations General Assembly on 21 December, 1965 adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and it was implemented on 4 January, 1969. In 1971, Nepal ratified the Convention.