Caste discrimination is one of the biggest human rights problems, affecting approximately 260 million people worldwide. We all have an obligation to work for the promotion and protection of fundamental rights – for everyone, no matter where they live.

We urge you to:

A. Support the UN Principles & Guidelines for the effective elimination of discrimination on work and descent

Ensure that your Government supports the draft UN Principles & Guidelines – a legal framework for the elimination of caste discrimination.

Read about how you can support this process

B. Review bilateral cooperation

Review cooperation with caste-affected countries to make sure that caste discrimination does not take place, whether development and relief cooperation, scientific cooperation, cultural cooperation, trade cooperation or other. All citizens must be able to benefit equally from the cooperation. Make special efforts to ensure that caste discrimination will not take place within bilateral activities, for example in disaster emergency relief operations.

Learn how caste discrimination took place in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami

C.  Make caste discrimination a focus area and employ special measures

Make the elimination of caste discrimination a special focus area. Develop strategies and put in place policies to work for the elimination of caste discrimination. Facilitate support to research institutions, development and human rights organisations in your country that work to that end.

Read DSN-DK’s recommendations to the Danish government

D. Raise caste discrimination in political and human rights dialogues

Seek meetings with decision-makers and raise your concerns about caste discrimination.

E. Contribute to the promotion and protection of Dalit human rights

Raise issues pertaining to caste discrimination in all areas of the promotion and protection of human rights that your country is engaged in.

Learn about our international advocacy work

F. Corporate social responsibility framework

Promote the elimination of caste discrimination in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR). IDSN recommends that governments encourage reservations and affirmative action policies of EU-based companies in their interaction with caste-affected countries and promote the use of the Ambedkar Principles and the Dalit Discrimination Check tool.

Learn more about our CSR work