Caste discrimination and the European Union

The European Union has bilateral relations with a number of caste-affected countries and is an active player in various United Nations human rights fora.

The human rights and development policies of the European Union aim to reduce poverty, eliminate inequality and discrimination, and secure the rule of law and equal treatment. The EU Human Rights policy and EU instruments of cooperation adhere to an overriding principle of coherence and consistency in all EU areas of operation.

IDSN lobbies European Union institutions for the development of proactive measures and concrete actions within EU’s spheres of influence on the issue of caste discrimination, including in the United Nations.

The EU is encouraged to take caste discrimination into the policy and human rights dialogues with affected countries in a systematic and transparent manner and to ensure that all relevant EU external action gives special consideration to the problem of caste discrimination. This includes reflecting the issue at policy and programming level in development and humanitarian assistance, as well as in trade relations and business cooperation.

Following a hearing on caste discrimination in the EU Council’s working group on human rights, COHOM, in May 2010, IDSN prepared a draft EU Policy Framework for the elimination of caste discrimination. This document includes a list of recommendations for future EU action, including recognition of caste discrimination as a priority human rights issue.

The European Parliament has repeatedly expressed its concerns about caste discrimination in various debates and resolutions. After a hearing in the Development Committee on this issue, the Parliament adopted on 1st February 2007 resolution B6-0021/2007 on the Human Rights Situation of the Dalits in India. 

Our work focus on the following areas

• Political dialogue, including dialogue on human rights
• Trade relations
• Bilateral aid

> Read IDSN's recommendations to the European Union

> European Parliament Resolution B6-0021/2007 on the human rights situation of the Dalits in India

> IDSN study on caste-based discrimination in South Asia (commissioned by the European Commission)

> Report from hearing in the European Parliament on 5 June 2008
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> Photo exhibition that opened on 3 June, 2008 in the European Parliament