NATIONAL INDIGENOUS THARU YOUTH CONFERENCE
FEB 4-6 2012
NEPALGUNJ, NEPAL
Tharu Human Rights Issues
Educational rights (the creation of educational opportunities, nationally and internationally)
While the Nepali government is creating and supporting some educational opportunities for economically-challenged populations, the Tharu lack information regarding, and have no access to these opportunities. Tharu students, therefore, are making few gains in attaining higher education, whether technical or non-technical.
This issue may be solved through lobbying concerned stake holders , through meetings, interactions, campaigns and delegations.
Employment rights
Presently, indigenous Tharu have little representation in the government, and have little access to or contact with high –level government officials and other decision makers. They have little access to employment information, nationally or internationally.
This issue may be solved through advocacy, campaigns and interactions, to support as well as influence Nepali lawin order to guarantee more opportunity for the Tharu people.
Promotion and Preservation of Tharu Culture
The indigenous Tharu people have been practicing and transforming their culture, literature and aspirations from generation to generation. But Tharu culture and tradition is being challenged by discriminatory laws and acts in Nepal. For example, Muluki Ain (country code) proclaims "Hamro bhasha, hamro bhesha pran bhanda pyaro chha" (one language one dress), an Act proclaimed as Hundi State.
The necessity of putting us into Nepali dress (daura and coat) causes the decline of our own cultural dress. The Nepali language, spoken as Nepal’s official language, is causing the Tharu mother tongue to die out. In the Tharu community ritual literature is memorized and transmitted orally, and not preserved in writing. Because of this practice we are losing much of our literature. We need to preserve this facet of our culture. Indeed, we must be able to retain our identity in the nation and in the world.
Eco-opportunities
The Tharu people are sustained for the most part by agriculture, as opposed to business and commerce. There is a lack of vocational skills and training in new technologies and knowledge necessary to participate in today’s business world. This lack of training perpetuates a cycle of failure for the Tharu businessman. Vocational education, loan mobilization as well as other large- and small-scale investment in the Tharu community is needed to create eco-opportunity for the Tharu people.
Promotion of political rights
Currently few Tharu people are involved in political parties. Many are not interested in politics and are unaware of the importance of politics in their lives. We should take a proactive stance in educating the Tharu people in the philosophy of politics and the necessity of political participation for the future of our people.
Health education, information and communication: raising awareness
The Tharu people are very ritual minded, and many of their decisions are based on faith. Traditional faith healers are often the only access to healthcare. With serious illness there is little or no access to
modern doctors of medicine. The Tharu need to be educated on matters of good health practice, recognition of symptoms of serious disease, and gaining access to healthcare from the modern world. On the other side, access must be provided so that it is possible to obtain treatment for the ill, preventive medicine and other things necessary to decrease illness and mortality among the Tharu.
More info:
Contact: Mahabir Chaudhari
dahitmahabir@yahoo.com
More info:
Contact: Mahabir Chaudhari
dahitmahabir@yahoo.com
