Archive | Country/region

India’s Dalits celebrate Dr. Ambedkar

On 14 April, Dalit communities across India will celebrate the 119th birth anniversary of the spiritual father of the Dalit movement and architect of the Indian constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

April 13th, 2010|Caste-based slavery, India|

Landmark verdict in Dalit discrimination case

Three major organisations in Nepal have welcomed a judgment in a case involving a caste-related assault. The perpetrator was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment.

March 29th, 2010|Nepal|

Dutch minister answers caste questions

The Dutch Government is addressing caste discrimination in its bilateral dialogues with India and through EU channels. Foreign Minister M.J.M. Verhagen recently answered questions on the issue in Parliament.

March 29th, 2010|European Union, India|

CERD urges Japan to protect Buraku rights

Discrimination against the Buraku community is still an issue in Japan, and the government should take effective steps against it, says UN Anti-Racism Committee.

March 18th, 2010|Japan|

IDSN marks tenth anniversary

As IDSN celebrates its tenth anniversary on 10 March, the struggle for Dalit rights is gaining increasing international momentum, including an endorsement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Much, however, remains to be done if one of the world’s most serious human rights issues, which affects 260 million people, is to be eliminated.

March 8th, 2010|Africa, European Union, United Nations|

UK moves closer to ban on caste discrimination

In a historic move, the House of Lords has paved the way for legislation that will make caste-based discrimination illegal in the UK. Such a ban would also serve as an example to other countries.

March 4th, 2010|UK|

Nepal: Dalit girl murdered – risk of poor investigation

An eight-year old Dalit girl in Nepal may have been the victim of a sacrificial murder because of her caste status. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is concerned that the local authorities may not do enough to investigate the crime.

February 11th, 2010|Dalit Children, Nepal|

Nepal urged to address constitutional gaps

A new report provides Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) with a clear roadmap for ensuring the rights of all Nepalese people, including the country’s sizeable Dalit population.

February 10th, 2010|Access to justice, Nepal|

HRW praises Nepal’s support for caste guidelines

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has given due credit to the Government of Nepal for its endorsement of the draft UN principles and guidelines to eliminate caste discrimination. India, on the other hand, is criticised.

January 28th, 2010|Nepal|

’Untouchability’ still rife in modern India

A ground-breaking study on caste discrimination in the Indian state of Gujarat shows that the practice of ‘untouchability’ is still prevalent. The report also makes clear that the Indian legal system is failing to address the issue.

January 28th, 2010|India|