Dalit activist bags UNA Human Rights Award
DB 'Sagar' Bishwakarma, a leading dalit rights activist from Nepal, has been awarded the prestigious 'United Nations Association's Community Human Rights Award 2007' along with other human rights leaders from around the world.
In a statement, the United Nations Association (UNA) said the honor was for his dedication as an activist in the struggle against caste-based discrimination in Nepal over the past two decades. "His dedicated service in advancing human rights across South Asia has led him to establish the International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR), which has developed a broad reach in motivating communities in South Asia and around the globe," the Association said.
The award was distributed amid a programme at the Cannon Building of US Federal government in Washington DC on Friday. US Senator Tom Harkin, Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) William Davis, UNA Vice President Richard Griffis and Mr. Bishwakarma spoke on the occasion on various issues related to human rights, social justice and democracy issues around the world. Mr. Bishwakarma appealed international community, US government and the UN to draw serious attention towards hidden social justice agenda to ensure the fundamental rights of nearly 260 million Dalit people in the world especially in South Asia. "Caste-based discrimination is a major cause of social conflict, poverty and human rights violation in South Asia," he said. He also urged for special collective efforts from the international community towards sustainable inclusive democratic system and equal representation of the dalit community in Nepal.
Born in a poor family in the western district of Palpa, D. B. BISHWAKARMA, popularly known as 'DB SAGAR,' is the founder President of International Commission for Dalit Rights (ICDR) , a newly formed international forum to advocate for dalit rights in the contemporary world. In 1996, along with his colleagues, he formed the Dalit National Federation (DNF) as a national apex organisation of Dalit NGOs and organizations in Nepal. He is also a founder President of Dalit Human Rights Organization and founder of Jana Utthan Prathisthan (JUP).
Actively involved with national, regional and global forums such as the World Conference against Racism, International Dalit Solidarity Network, People SAARC, and the World Social Forum and other mediums, DB has been appointed as a member of the National Development Council of the Nepal Government.
Mr. Bishwakarma is currently enrolled at the American University in the Washington DC and is pursuing a Masters degree in Sociology. nepalnews.com Dec 09 200
