Updates
- Historic 13-Point Ilam Declaration–2083 Issued with Resolution to Declare \'Dalit Rights Decade (2083–2093)\'
- Taplejung Declaration-2083 Adopted with Shared Resolution to Declare Taplejung the Country\'s First \'Fully Untouchability-Free District\'
- Deep Self-Realization and Policy Commitment Essential on the Issue of Caste-Based Untouchability
- Commitment of Representatives to Enact Dalit Rights Act in All 15 Local Levels of Jhapa
- Collaboration Meeting Held Between National Dalit Commission and Human Rights Forum (HURF) Nepal
- Workshop on identifying issues of Dalit community with local Local Government Representatives completed
- Dalit community increasingly victimized by changing patterns of discrimination
Taplejung Declaration-2083 Adopted with Shared Resolution to Declare Taplejung the Country's First 'Fully Untouchability-Free District'
Fungling (Taplejung), September 8, 2026
With a shared commitment to develop Taplejung as the first 'Fully Untouchability-Free District' in Koshi Province and the entire nation, the historic 11-point 'Taplejung Declaration–2083' has been issued in Fungling. The declaration was adopted following a two-day district-level joint workshop organized by Human Rights Forum (HURF) Nepal, Ilam, with the support of Misereor Germany and in collaboration with the District Coordination Committee (DCC), Taplejung, under the project "Solidarity for Ensuring Dignity: A Collective Effort against Caste Based Discrimination through Policy Awareness at Local Level".
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In the workshop, comprehensive deliberations involving elected representatives, political parties, administration, police, civil society, non-governmental organizations, and Dalit rights activists across Taplejung expressed a collective commitment to enact a 'Local Dalit Rights Act', form a 'Dalit Rights Committee', and establish a 'Local Human Rights Desk' across all 9 local levels (1 municipality and 8 rural municipalities) within the upcoming fiscal year. Furthermore, the declaration outlined a concrete roadmap to formulate detailed 'Dalit Profiles', 5-year 'Dalit Development Strategic Plans', 'Dalit Responsive Budgets', and set up model 'Untouchability-Free Wards' across all local units to facilitate evidence-based planning.
The workshop, chaired by HURF Nepal Chairperson Mohan Singh Thebe, featured the dignified presence and special addresses of Koshi Provincial Assembly Member and former Minister Hon. Khagen Singh Hangam. The program witnessed the active participation of DCC Taplejung Chief Chhiring Lama, Phungling Municipality Mayor Amir Maden, Mikwakhola Rural Municipality Chairperson Bhakta Bahadur Karki, DCC Deputy Chief Krishna Lingkhim, Phungling Deputy Mayor Bhima Devi Ojha, alongside vice-chairpersons of rural municipalities, ward chairs, and executive members.
Likewise, Assistant Chief District Officer Yadav Bhattarai, Police Inspector Bimbeshwar Yadav, leadership of political parties, NGO Federation Chairperson Khadga Bikram Subedi, Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Taplejung President Subas Acharya, media professionals, Bar Association, private sector representatives, and Dalit rights activists were present. Participants collectively emphasized that local governments must be held accountable in policy, structural, and budgetary terms to practically end caste-based discrimination and untouchability.
The workshop sessions were facilitated by expert Karna Bahadur Nepali, Executive Director Devendra Kumar Biswakarma, and Project Coordinator Man Kumar Baraily. The program was hosted and moderated by Suresh Portel of HURF Nepal.