UN and caste discrimination in Pakistan
UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
Second review (14th UPR session, 2012):
More information and submissions on the second UPR of Pakistan, scheduled for 30 October 2012, can be found here
First review (2nd UPR session, 2008):
Pakistan was reviewed by the UPR working group at its 2nd session in May 2008. In the interactive dialogue, many states expressed concern about discrimination against minorities and three states raised the issue of caste-based discrimination. These questions led to the following recommendation in the report of the UPR working group (A/HRC/8/42):
31. To take measures to eliminate discrimination against castes and high degree of poverty suffered by castes (Luxembourg) and take specific and targeted measures to effectively prevent discrimination against Scheduled Castes (Denmark).
- Read states' recommendations and Pakistan's response related to caste discrimination during the UPR
- Read IDSN's inputs to the Universal Periodic Review of caste-affected countries
Pakistan is up for its second review in 2012.
UN TREATY BODIES
During the review of Pakistan by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), a comprehensive shadow report about caste discrimination in Pakistan was prepared and submitted in advance to the Committee by IDSN, TRDP, PILER, NCJP and Justice and Peace Netherlands. In the Concluding Observations the Committee expressed deep concern about the persistence of de facto discrimination against lower caste communities in the Sindh province.
Other UN treaty bodies have also expressed concern about the human rights of minorities in Pakistan.
UN SPECIAL PROCEDURES
The following Special Rapporteurs have requested a country visit to Pakistan, but have not yet received a reply:
- SRSG on human rights defenders (R in 2003, 2007)(follow-up request 2007)
- SR on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (R in 2000, follow-up R in 2005)(Reminder in 2008)
- SR on racism (R in 2004, follow-up R in 2006)
- SR on freedom of religion (R in 2006)
- SR on human rights and counter terrorism (R 2006)
- SR on adequate housing (R in 2006) (Reminder in 2008)
- Joint visit by SR independence of judges and lawyers and SR freedom of expression (R in 2007)
- SR on human rights defenders (R in 2008)
> Read more about the UN Special Procedures and caste discrimination
> More information about country visits by UN Special Procedures
UN publications - Pakistan
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CERD-74_Pakistan_Alternative_report_by_TRDP_NCJP_PILER_IDSN_and_Justice_and_Peace_Netherlands.pdf |
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