In a landmark declaration, the newly-formed government of Nepal has abolished the Haliya system (a form of bonded labour) as a result of a six-year campaign by NCA partner LWF Nepal.

The declaration to abolish this form of bonded labour was made on September 6, 2008, causing great celebration among the country's liberated Haliya labourers who are mostly Dalits ('untouchables'). Around 18,000 families will be affected by this declaration.

The Haliya population of Nepal is concentrated in the country's remote western regions, where the Haliya Movement was formally founded in 2002 to provide the group with development support and help in combating exploitation and oppression. The project has been receiving support from Norwegian Church Aid partner LWF Nepal since 2003.

Rights-based assistance
Freedom for the Haliyas is the hard-earned result of a comprehensive rights-based advocacy approach adopted by Norwegian Church Aid and LWF Nepal with activities stretching from needs assessment, the formation of Haliya organisations, public discourse, solidarity movements, political lobby activities, media mobilisation and legal recourse. This rights-based approach demonstrates a marked departure from the traditional development approach of service delivery.

However, liberation is just the first of many battles that this vulnerable group must win in Nepal. Social and human rights activists and noted political leaders have said that the true liberation of the Haliyas can only be realized when they have access to education, employment opportunities, land, housing and other essentials for a life of dignity.

For more information, contact:
Beena Kharel
Communication and Documentation Manager, LWF Nepal
Phone: + 00977-1-4720217; 4720152; 4721271
E-mail: cdm@lwf.org.np
Website: www.lwfnepal.org