In the European Parliament’s resolution on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World and the European Union’s policy on the matter, the European Parliament highlights caste discrimination and, “Recommends initiatives for EU legislation to ensure that attention is paid in EU human rights policy and cooperation instruments to eliminating caste discrimination, and action in caste-affected countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Yemen.”
Over the past years MEPs have spoken out against caste discrimination, which has also been the topic of several hearings in the Parliament. IDSN welcome this focus on caste discrimination in the resolution on the Annual Report. It is imperative that EU institutions follow up immediately on these recommendations so that caste discrimination does not risk being overlooked or side lined in EU work on human rights, development, humanitarian aid and trade in future.
The European Parliament resolution of 18 April 2012 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World and the European Union’s policy on the matter, including implications for the EU’s strategic human rights policyincludes the following text:
111. Condemns all forms of human rights violations committed against people discriminated against on the basis of work and descent, and the limited access to justice for victims; calls on the EU and its Member States to endorse the draft UN Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination based on Work and Descent;
117. Recommends initiatives for EU legislation to ensure that attention is paid in EU human rights policy and cooperation instruments to eliminating caste discrimination, and action in caste-affected countries, including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Yemen.
More information
Read the full resolution on the 2011 Annual Report
Read more about IDSN’s work with the European Parliament
Read the Resolution on Human Rights of the Dalits in India (2007)