During Nepal’s fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR), UN Member States’ recommendations called for stronger action against caste-based discrimination, “untouchability”, and related patterns of exclusion and violence affecting Dalits, including Dalit women and Dalit children.
Nepal’s review took place on 21 January 2026 during the UPR Working Group’s 51st session (19–30 January 2026). Based on the draft outcome and recommendations list, at least 16 recommendations explicitly reference caste discrimination and/or Dalits, including protections for Dalit women and girls, education for Dalit children and stronger enforcement of the 2011 Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act. See the box at the end of the article to read the recommendations.
IDSN advocacy ahead of the review
The outcome followed sustained advocacy by Dalit human rights defenders facilitated and supported by IDSN.
From 24–28 November 2025, IDSN facilitated a delegation of Dalit human right defenders from Nepal to visit Geneva for advocacy meetings ahead of Nepal’s UPR pre-session and participation in the pre-session itself. The delegation briefed States on caste and intersectional discrimination and the need for stronger protections ahead of Nepal’s January 2026 review.
The delegation included Rup Sunar (Dignity Initiative), Sarita Barmashakha (FEDO) and Krishna Gahatraj and Pampha Purkoti of the Dalits with Disabilities Association Network (DDAN). Organised by IDSN, the delegates met with State representatives from, among others, Switzerland, Chile, Norway, Finland, Ireland, the UK and the EU Delegation.
Rup Sunar presented a joint shadow report submitted by 36 Dalit-led organisations, stressing the need for Nepal to fully implement constitutional guarantees for Dalits, including Article 40 and to adopt stronger legislation to ensure rights and protections are realised in practice.
Reflecting on the outcome of the review on 21 January, Rup Sunar stated:
“The UPR outcome for Nepal is highly significant from a Dalit perspective, as it includes strong and specific recommendations that clearly recognize caste-based discrimination as a systemic human rights issue. While these commitments are encouraging, we will see how these recommendations fit into government’s planning and budgeting. We will continue to hold the state accountable to ensure these recommendations are translated into concrete action.”
Next steps
Nepal is expected to examine the recommendations and provide responses no later than the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (15 June–10 July 2026) where the final report of the Working Group will be adopted by the Council.
IDSN will continue to engage to track Nepal’s responses and to support follow-up, with priority attention to enforcement, accountability and ending caste-based discrimination and violence in law and practice.
Key recommendations from states addressing caste
“Adopt and implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, including caste-based discrimination against Dalit communities” (Czechia)
“Adopt an anti-discrimination law aimed at protecting disadvantaged groups, specifically Dalits, youth and women” (Congo)
“Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, ensuring equal protection for all, including women, Dalits, persons with disabilities, and sexual and gender minorities” (South Africa)
“Enact a comprehensive law to prohibit discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, religion, and belief, establishing mechanisms for redress and accountability, and amend the Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act of 2011 to further strengthen victim protection” (Italy)
“Continue adopting policies and legislation to combat discrimination, in order to effectively protect women and girls, including Dalit women, Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities” (Venezuela)
“Further enhance efforts to eliminate caste-based discrimination, including through human rights education and awareness-raising within the school system” (Kiribati)
“Strengthen efforts to prevent and combat caste-based discrimination, especially against the Dalit population”(Paraguay)
“Ensure the effective implementation of constitutional guarantees for Dalits, in particular by strengthening investigations and prosecutions related to caste-based violence and discrimination, as well as by operationalizing mechanisms for the protection of victims and witnesses” (Switzerland)
“Strengthen the effective enforcement of laws against racial and caste-based discrimination, in particular to protect Dalit persons, especially women and girls, and continue promoting public campaigns to eradicate caste-based prejudices and hierarchies, ensuring their dignity, meaningful participation and equal opportunities” (Costa Rica)
“Eliminate “Untouchability” and all forms of discrimination and violence against Dalit women and girls, underrepresented castes and Indigenous Peoples as well as persons with disabilities” (Finland)
“Fully implement the constitutional and legal standards protecting Dalits, including the facilitation and enhancement of the registration and proper investigation of violence and discrimination” (Germany)
“Strengthen with an intersectional approach, the empowerment mechanisms of historically marginalized people and communities, including women and girls, Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, migrants and people with disabilities” (Mexico)
“Reform laws relating to sexual and caste-based violence to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable” (Malta)
“Ensure free and inclusive quality education for all by improving retention and completion rates for marginalized children, including children with disabilities, girls, and Dalit children” (Norway)
“Adopt actions to prevent and reduce hunger while implementing structural strategies to ensure long-term food security, utilizing social participation and accountability mechanisms, with particular attention to vulnerable rural communities and disadvantaged castes” (Brazil)
“Strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability Act” (Croatia)