Archive | Country/region

Minister promises amendments to PoA Act

Thousands of Dalits and Adivasis gathered in Delhi on Friday to demand amendments to the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The government may bring in these amendments early next year.

November 26th, 2012|Access to justice, India|

Mob burns hundreds of Dalit homes

Approximately 1,000 non-Dalits launched a coordinated attack on three Dalit settlements in Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, on 7 November. Hundreds of houses were burnt and looted – ostensibly because of an inter-caste marriage.

November 14th, 2012|India|

UN states strongly concerned about minority rights in Pakistan

When Pakistan was reviewed by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism on 30 October, many states expressed concern about the human rights situation of religious minorities, including scheduled castes.

November 1st, 2012|Pakistan, United Nations|

Huge Dalit rally planned for November

A coalition of 150 Indian NGOs is demanding amendments to - and proper implementation of - the laws that are supposed to protect Dalits and Adivasis from atrocities. The campaign is gathering momentum.

October 26th, 2012|India, Political Participation|

UN review of Pakistan: Urgent protection needed for minorities

Press Release (23 October 2012). The Government of Pakistan has failed to honour the commitments it made at the UN review of its human rights record four years ago. International NGOs are urging states to recommend it to ensure full protection of minorities, including Dalits and other marginalised groups.

October 23rd, 2012|Pakistan, Political Participation, Programme, United Nations|

Joint UPR submission on Dalit rights in Bangladesh

In a newly released report, the Government of Bangladesh is called upon to enact a law against untouchability practices, and implement a national action plan to comprehensively address discrimination based on work and descent against Dalits and other excluded groups.

October 9th, 2012|Bangladesh, United Nations|

Employers of manual scavengers to face prison

The Indian government is ready to introduce new legislation to end manual scavenging. The proposed bill includes tough penalties for those who continue to employ people as scavengers.

August 31st, 2012|Access to justice, Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

Pakistan: Dalits call for affirmative action

The recent wave of kidnappings and forced marriages of Dalit girls has spread fear in Pakistan’s Dalit community, which is already extremely marginalised.

August 20th, 2012|Access to justice, Pakistan, Political Participation|

Bollywood star denounces caste discrimination

In a recent episode of his popular talk show, Satyamev Jayate, the actor Aamir Khan focused on caste discrimination and declared it a ‘mental illness’.

August 15th, 2012|Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

NHRC chairman calls for law to protect Dalits

Dalits in Bangladesh face severe national and social injustice, says Dr Mizanur Rahman, chairman of the country's National Human Rights Commission.

August 6th, 2012|Access to justice, Bangladesh|