Review of the film Origin by IDSN Ambassador Aidan McQuade
IDSN Director, Meena Varma and IDSN Ambassador, Aidan McQuade were invited to a press screening of Film Director, Ava DuVernay’s new film Origin, a film inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s groundbreaking book – Caste: The origins of our discontent. In the book, Wilkerson argues that the racial tensions in the United States are better explained through the lens […]
IDSN welcomes Renu Sijapati as the first Dalit woman from Nepal to be chair of the IDSN Board
IDSN is delighted to announce the appointment of  Ms Renu Sijapati as the first Dalit woman from Nepal to be elected chair of the IDSN board following approval of the board at IDSN’s General Assembly. Ms Sijapati is the General Secretary of the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) and will be continuing her tenure on the IDSN […]
Report: European Parliament calls for an EU policy on caste discrimination, country strategies and dedicated focal points
IDSN welcomes the adoption of the European Parliament’s report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter 2023, calling for concrete action to support the work to end caste discrimination.
The report highlights caste-related obstacles to accessing justice, employment opportunities and the persistence of segregation and poverty. It […]
EU-India report calls for an EU strategy on addressing caste discrimination
IDSN welcomes The European Parliament adoption of a comprehensive report on EU-India relations on 17 January. This report, while broadly focusing on various aspects of the EU-India relationship excluding trade, contains critical insights and recommendations pertinent to the issue of caste-based discrimination in India. Authored by MEP Alviina Alametsa, the standing rapporteur on India, the document follows […]
IDSN members and associates gather to review, strategize and chart the way forward for a world free of caste discrimination
Perspectives, ideas, insights and engagement filled the room as representatives from IDSN’s member organisations and international associates from across the globe gathered for a two-day general assembly meeting in Geneva on 24-25 November.
The meetings kicked off with presentations on the work, triumphs and challenges from all IDSN’s […]
Dalit voices resonate in Brussels: IDSN takes part in the EU NGO Forum 2023
Dalit activists forming part of the IDSN delegation made their presence felt at the 25th EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights in Brussels, Belgium held from 4-6 December, 2023. Sunil Kumar Pariyar from Nepal and Prameela KP from India joined the forum to highlight the challenges faced by Dalit communities in their respective countries and beyond.
Advocating for equality: IDSN delegation addresses challenges faced by Dalits at key UN Forums
An IDSN delegation of Dalit human rights defenders participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights held on 27-29 November as well as the UN Forum on Minority Issues, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 30 November – 1 December 2023. The delegation made an important impact giving statements and participating in panels, sessions […]
Youth at the forefront: Kathmandu events boosts advocacy to end caste/descent-based discrimination
Marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a series of events focusing on combatting descent-based discrimination, through the prism of access to justice and the role of youth in South Asia, were held in Kathmandu. Spanning four days, from September 4th to 7th, 2023, the events were organized jointly by IPMS/Office of […]
Addressing the situation of Dalits in Bangladesh at the UN UPR pre-session
On 30 September 2023, Probir Sircar, from IDSN’s affiliate organisation, Parittran, was invited by UPR Info, to deliver a statement during the pre-session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Bangladesh in Palais des Nations, Geneva. The event was organised in view of the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh, which will take place on 13 November […]
Caste Discrimination highlighted in the EU’s Annual Human Rights Report
The European Union has recently unveiled its Annual Report on Human Rights, shedding light on various global concerns. Notably, the report offers insights into the EU’s stance and interactions related to caste discrimination and the rights of Dalits.
India: addressing caste-based discrimination
The EU’s engagement with India […]