The European Union Delegation to Nepal together with the EU Heads of Mission based in Kathmandu have taken a serious exception to the alleged killings of six youths in Rukum (West) in an incident of caste-based violence.

Issuing a statement on Wednesday, they condemned the violence and discrimination based on caste. They also reminded the Government of Nepal that it was a party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and called for a fair investigation into the incident.

“We condemn violence and discrimination based on caste and on any other grounds, including sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin,” read the statement.

The EU representatives said they remained committed to support Nepal Government’s efforts to ensure full implementation of the constitutional guarantees and elimination of caste-based discrimination. 

On May 23, locals from Soti in Chaurjahari Municipality in Rukum (West) had chased away Nabaraj BK of Jajarkot and 18 of his friends who had accompanied the former to the village to help him elope with his girlfriend, who belonged to the so-called upper caste. 

A day later, the bodies of Nabaraj and his friend Tikaram Sunar, both of them Dalits, were found on the banks of the Bheri river.

The bodies of Ganesh Budha, Lokendra Sunar and Ganesh Budha and Govinda Shahi were also subsequently recovered from the river.

The National Human Rights Commission has said it is saddening that caste-based discriminations and criminal acts like murder and rape are increasing even 14 years after the country was declared untouchability free.

The government on June 4, 2006 declared Nepal as an untouchability free nation criminalising untouchability.
Issuing a statement on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the historic declaration, the constitutional human rights watchdog urged all the sections of the society to raise the voice against caste-based discriminations and violence.

“The commission draws the attention of the government to embrace zero tolerance against recent acts of caste based discriminations in Rukum (West), Jajarkot, Rupandehi, Udayapur and Dhankuta and bring the culprits to the book,” read the statement.