Social Justice for Peace

This Nepali initiative collects and publishes data on Dalit conflict victims and on abuses of Dalit rights.

Description

Although considerable numbers of Dalits have been victimised by the internal armed conflict, relevant data has not been collected systematically. The Jagaran Media Centre has developed this programme with the belief that the data on Dalit victims should be documented and published.  The Centre has also formed a 'Dalit Pressure Group' for Dalit issues in the peace dialogue and has prepared a Dalit agenda which has been handed over to both of the conflicting parties.

Aims / Objectives

To publish data of the Dalit victims in the conflict and to minimise the impact of the conflict upon Dalits.

How it is Articulated

Monitoring and collecting data; conducting public hearings for Dalit victims and publishing the data; making the conflicting parties aware of how to minimise the impacts of the conflict upon the Dalit; forming a 'Dalit Pressure Group'.

Achievements / Learning Points

The Jagaran Media Centre is monitoring, collecting and publishing data concerning Dalit victims of the Maoist conflict. It has been putting pressure on both of the conflicting parties through this document, requesting that they respect the human rights of Dalits.

Geographical Area of Operation

Most of Nepal. 

Funding Resources

United Nations Development Fund - Support for Peace and Development Initiatives (UNDP-SPDI).

Stories

Dalit people displaced by the conflict in the Baglung district have been able to return to their original villages after action by the Jagaran Media Centre (see the e-bulletin on the JMC website for further details).  In some cases, Dalit people have been looking to the organisation for justice in local areas. The Secretary of the District Organisation Committee of Maoists in Baglung  released a press statement expressing a commitment not to repeat the actions that affected and displaced Dalits in the future.

Associated Organisations

International Partners:

• Action Aid Nepal www.actionaidnepal.org
• Care International www.carenepal.org
• German Development Service (DED) www.ded.org.np
• UNDP www.undp.org.np
• Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) www.sdc.admin.ch
• DFID www.dfid.org.np
• European Commission www.europa.eu.int

National Partners:

• Nepal Press Institute
• Dalit NGO Federation www.deip.com.np / dnfnepal.org
• Juna Uttham Pratsthan (JUP) www.jupdalitmedia.org ,
• Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO)
• Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO)
• Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organisation (NNDSWO)
• Federation of Nepal Journalist www.fnjnepal.org
• ALHURED Nepal, Advocacy Forum
• Collective Campaign for Peace www.cocap.org.np
• National Human rights Commission www.nhrc-nepal.org
• National Dalit Commission
• National Women Commission
• Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities
• Nepal Suppressed Oppressed and Dalit Upliftment Development Committee
• Dalit Literature and Cultural Academy
• Martin Chauthari 
• Conscious Media Alliance www.cmfnepal.org ,
• Self-reliance Development Alliance
• Kathmandu Training Centre 
• Various daily, Weekly newspaper and radio and TV institutions www.nepalnews.com.
• Local Partner organisations:
• Nepal Journalist Federation Kanchanpur
• Nepal National Welfare-Society Association, Kanchanpur
• Far-west Media Development Center Kanchanpur
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Dang
• Nepal Journalist Federation Surkhet
• Human rights and Peace Society, Surkhet
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Butwal
• Himalayan News Committee
• Feminist of Dalit Organisation, Butwal
• Butwal Municipality
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Palpa
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Nawalparasi
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Pokhara
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Baglung
• Dalit Community Development Center, Baglung
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Ilam
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Dhankuta
• Feminist of Dalit Organisation, Dhankuta
• Nepal Journalist Federation, Kavre