Nepal's new constitution must recognize and protect the fundamental human rights of Dalits, says a new report released today by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) at New York University School of Law. The report was released on the heels of Nepal's historic Constituent Assembly elections held on April 10, 2008.
The 89-page report Recasting Justice: Securing Dalit Rights in Nepal's New Constitution analyzes Nepal's Interim Constitution to inform how the new constitution may be drafted in accordance with the country's international human rights obligations to secure the rights of Dalits-a group which has faced more than 2000 years of systematic discrimination on the basis of caste. As Nepal prepares its new constitution after years of prolonged civil war, Recasting Justice provides Nepalese lawmakers with tangible means to demonstrate the country's commitment to the inherent dignity and human rights of all individuals.
The report and other background materials, including a summary briefing paper in both English and Nepali, are available at www.chrgj.org
