On 4 December 2025, the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) joined global human rights leaders at United Nations HQ in Geneva for the High-Level Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). IDSN Executive Director Meena Varma spoke on Panel 2: “Realizing the Promise of Equality Without Distinction as to Race, Colour, Descent, or National or Ethnic Origin.” She underscored that caste discrimination — recognised by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) as falling under “descent” — must be treated as a priority under ICERD’s mandate.
The event was opened by IDSN Ambassador, Professor Gay McDougall, in her role as Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), who set the tone for the day by underscoring the enduring urgency of eliminating racial and descent-based discrimination in all its forms.
Speaking about the millions affected globally by caste and analogous systems of inherited inequality, Meena Varma highlighted that caste discrimination remains one of the most entrenched and intersectional forms of human rights abuse today. She emphasised that Dalits continue to face:
- discrimination and segregation in all aspects of life
- severe barriers to accessing justice
- disproportionate gender-based and sexual violence against Dalit women
- digital caste hate speech
- disproportionate climate vulnerabilities
- caste-related labour exploitation and abuse in global supply chains
This lived reality, she stressed, makes ICERD’s recognition of caste under “descent” a crucial legal and policy framework that States must use more effectively.
Sixty Years of ICERD: Progress acknowledged, gaps persist
Throughout the commemorative event, speakers reflected on six decades of ICERD’s legacy — from inspiring constitutional reforms to strengthening national anti-discrimination laws and institutions worldwide.
However, as noted by CERD members, the Convention’s vision of a world free from racial discrimination remains far from achieved. Persistent structural forms of discrimination — including caste-based inequality — continue to limit equal participation, dignity and access to justice for millions.
The anniversary was therefore framed not only as a moment of celebration, but as a critical opportunity to renew political will and address deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have yet to be dismantled.
Operationalising ICERD to address caste discrimination
In her remarks, Ms. Varma outlined what is needed going forward.
- Reaffirm and operationalize General Recommendation 29
- Collect disaggregated data, and monitor implementation of recommended measures
- Strengthen access to justice for addressing caste discrimination and realizing the human rights of persons affected by caste discrimination
- Highlight intersectional discrimination faced by Dalit women and the nexus of caste x gender × religion × disability and more.
- Engage business and global supply chains by applying UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights to caste.
- Operationalise the UN Guidance Tool for those working in the countries affected by caste.
- Prioritise the adoption of the UN Principles and Guidelines to give the work addressing descent-based discrimination real teeth at the UN.
- Recognize caste as a global issue
As ICERD marks six decades, IDSN underlined that the next chapter must prioritise dismantling the systemic and inherited inequalities that continue to define the lives of caste-affected communities across regions.
Other speakers throughout the day — including UN mandate holders, CERD experts and NGO colleagues, in particular Paul Divakar, the Convenor of the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated based on Work and Descent — also referenced caste and descent-based discrimination, reaffirming its relevance to ICERD’s core purpose and the need for strengthened State action
A Call for Global Solidarity and Renewed Commitment
The high-level commemoration opened with tributes to victims of racial discrimination and concluded with a unified call for deeper cooperation among States, civil society and UN mechanisms.
IDSN welcomed the recognition throughout the event that discrimination based on descent — including caste — remains a global human rights challenge requiring urgent, coordinated action.
IDSN will continue to engage with CERD, UN partners, governments and civil society to push for concrete steps that ensure equality, dignity and non-discrimination for all affected by caste and analogous systems.