The handbook is primarily targeted to professionals and practitioners involved in the governmental and non-governmental sectors to strengthening access to justice of the victims of caste-based discrimination and
untouchability as envisaged by the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Act 2011. In particular, lawyers, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, judges, human rights defenders, social activists and community leaders active in combating caste-based discrimination and untouchability are targeted readers. The victims and their families as well as general public can also benefit from this handbook.
The handbook is divided into six chapters—first part dealing with background, objectives, methodology and contents and second chapter includes an overview of current status of caste-based discrimination and untouchability, particularly in the context of implementation of the Act. This section also includes historical and social backgrounds and elements that purport to caste-based discrimination and untouchability, and how the victims of such discrimination and crimes have negatively been affected in the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, such as food, shelter, health, education and employment.
Chapter three contains national and international legal standards and norms concerning combating racial discrimination and untouchability, including specific obligations that Nepal has under national and international human rights laws and specific rights of women and children of Dalit community.
Chapter four is devoted to detailing judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative mechanisms for administering justice to the victims of caste-based discrimination, whereas chapter five presents procedures of prosecution and investigation of caste-based discrimination and untouchability, such as filing First Information Report (FIR) with the police and legal obligations of the police and prosecutors to register FIR, investigate the incidents and prosecute those involved in caste-based discrimination.
The final chapter deals with current challenges and obstacles with regard to ensuring access to justice to the victims of caste-based discrimination, including effective implementation of the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability Act 2011.
(The Handbook is available in Nepali only. Please contact JuRI-Nepal for more information.)