KATHMANDU, AUGUST 14Despite being a signatory state to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the constitutional guarantee of the right to equality and non-discrimination, various discriminatory legal provisions against Madhesi, sexual and minority communities, and orphans have deprived these groups of their citizenship rights. Netherlands beats South Africa 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup Minister Sharma lauds NHRC's role on human rights promotion Madhuri Paswan, 22, from Mahottari, Jaleshwor was denied citizenship at the ward office.

She tried to contact the Chief District Office at Jaleshwor in her quest to acquire citizenship certificate, but to no avail."When I lost hope, I went to the CDO' at Jaleshwor.

He saw 'husband is of Indian origin' written on the back of the citizenship of my mother.

This was written when my mother got her citizenship by descent," Madhuri told THT. The discrimination doesn't stop there.

Her elder and younger brothers, Rabi Paswan, 25, and Raj Paswan, 20, were also denied citizenship.

"My brothers who work in India returned to Nepal as soon as they heard the government had amended the acts.

However, Ward No 4 of Jaleshwor Municipality refused to issue recommendation for our citizenship even though we have all the documents such as birth certificate, electricity bills and my mother's citizenship by descent," Madhuri said.Similarly, a whole bunch of people from Musahar tole in Siraha are deprived of citizenship, according to WOREC chairperson Renu Adhikari.

Showing a video of a woman from Musahar tole, she said, "She has been beaten brutally multiple times by police, landlord, her husband, her sons and grandchild.

Her offsprings said she was the reason why they didn't get citizenship."Sharing her own personal experience, Adhikari said, "People like me face several challenges exercising our constitutional rights.

Imagine the predicament of marginalised communities, sexual and gender minorities, women, and vulnerable people."She said, "It's been seven years since I separated from my husband.

However, I have been running to offices to change the name Raj Bhandari mentioned in my citizenship to Adhikari, but to no avail."She further said, "A few days ago, Ward No 8 chairperson asked, "Why do you women have issues with these things? We will remove your husband's name from your citizenship but not surname, Raj Bhandari.

Prove to me you are Adhikari.""I have ertificates and my parents' documents, but the ward chair's remarks have hurt my dignity and self-esteem.

Hence, imagine what sort of circumstances vulnerable people are going through," she added.Likewise, Angel Lama, a transwoman, said, "We have failed to be recognised as Nepali.

Although my name is Angel Lama, my legal name on my citizenship is different and indicates I am a man, which I am not anymore.

Moreover, we have won through a Supreme Court order, but TU has not agreed to recognise us as students."Meanwhile, Bimal Limbu of Kerabari, Biratnagar Municipality, has necessary documents for acquiring citizenship.

However, she is yet to obtain citizenship as her father has passed away.

She said, "The officers say I need to have the citizenship of both parents.

My father passed away long ago.

I want to be recognised as Nepali and get my identity with my parents' name.

But I have been wandering here and there for it."On the other hand, a section officer at the Ministry of Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Bhusal said, "We have drafted the directives regarding the shortcomings observed during the implementation of the citizenship bill.

I am positive about finding solutions to each and every problem raised by the victims.

The new directives prepared by the government will address almost all the problems faced by people."A version of this article appears in the print on August 15, 2023, of The Himalayan Times. .

This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com