KATHMANDU - Nepal must close the gap between clear constitutional and legislative provisions and their meaningful implementation to effectively prohibit discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, including Dalits, a UN expert said today.
"Minorities' and Dalits' unhindered access to education is the gateway to building skills and confidence, and breaking through cycles of poverty that have prevented them from realising the full enjoyment of their rights and their meaningful contribution to society as a whole," said Nicolas Levrat, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, in a statement at the end of his visit to the country.
Levrat urged the donor community to efficiently support Nepal in designing and implementing empowering programmes conceived with and for the benefit of persons belonging to minorities. He called for a partnership with local authorities who have the means to deliver effective support to minorities and Dalits in the communities where they reside.
"In this period of political transition, it is time to rebuild trust in the Nepalese social contract. Minorities and Dalits must feel that they can trust State institutions to protect them, and Nepalese society as a whole must trust that their contributions enrich and uplift society," the Special Rapporteur said. "Minorities and Dalits must have trust in themselves to advocate for and realise their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
"State institutions must better reflect the diversity of Nepalese society in their composition and leadership," he said. "Minorities must be able to recognise themselves in those exercising power. They must feel heard and understood by public servants - including teachers, judges, and the police - in their mother tongue language."
The expert expressed profound concern about the high rate of impunity for crimes against Dalits, such as violence linked to inter-caste marriages.
"Access to justice must include well-functioning enforcement mechanisms and sanctions of perpetrators," he said. "It will lead to the dismantlement of a system and mindsets that have enabled caste-based violence and discrimination as well as a culture of impunity."
Levrat warned about the curtailment of religious freedom, through selective use of the anti-conversion provision, leading to discrimination against religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians.
He welcomed the draft of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation protecting ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, including those affected by forms of intersectional discrimination such as Dalit women, the Badi community, the Tharu community, minorities belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, minorities with disabilities, Madhesis, Muslims and Christians.
The Special Rapporteur will present a full report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026.
