Archive | Key Issues

IDSN highlights milestone and the need to address caste discrimination at ICERD 60th Anniversary

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 […]

IDSN delegation highlights urgent concerns ahead of Nepal’s 2026 UN rights review

From 24–28 November, IDSN facilitated a delegation of Dalit human rights defenders from Nepal to come to Geneva for advocacy meetings ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pre-session of Nepal, as well as […]

UN Minority Forum: Dalit activists call for action on caste-based violence, intersectional discrimination, shrinking civic space and labour rights

At the Eighteenth session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues in 2025, IDSN delegates highlighted the urgent need to address caste discrimination, violence and exclusion across South Asia. Dalit delegates from South Asia […]

UN Advocacy Update: June–November 2025

Over the past months, IDSN has been actively engaging across the UN Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and with several Special Rapporteurs to ensure that addressing caste discrimination remain firmly on the international […]

UN report on intersectionality calls for action on caste and gender justice

A groundbreaking new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Ashwini KP, has issued a powerful call to action, identifying caste and gender among the core drivers of intersectional oppression, particularly in South Asia. […]
July 7th, 2025|Dalit Women, United Nations|

OECD side-event addresses caste related labour exploitation in global garment and leather supply chains

On 14 February 2025, IDSN, Arisa and Homeworkers Worldwide hosted a side-session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector. The discussion addressed the exploitation of Dalit workers in […]

Dalit leader urges action to address the situation of Dalit women at UN CEDAW Review of Nepal

On 3 February 2025, Durga Sob, founder of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) and a leading advocate for Dalit women’s rights, delivered a statement in connection with the 90th Session of the UN Convention on […]

Join us for a critical discussion on root causes of caste-based slavery and exploitation in South Asia and how to start tackling them!

📢 Side Event at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector 🗓 Date & Time: 14 February 2025, 12:30–14:00 CET 📍 Online (Zoom) – Register now: https://lnkd.in/d6m272PU Why Attend? ✅ If you source textiles or leather from South Asia this […]
February 3rd, 2025|Business, India, Pakistan, South Asia, Uncategorized|

IDSN delegation highlights caste related violations in global supply chains at the UN BHR Forum

An IDSN delegation actively participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights from 25-27 November, drawing attention to caste-based human rights violations in global supply chains, affecting Dalit workers in South Asia. […]
December 13th, 2024|Business, India, Nepal, United Nations|

UN Minority Forum: Dalit activists call for action on caste-hate speech, political inclusion and intersectional discrimination

At the 2024 UN Forum on Minority Issues, IDSN delegates called for action on caste-based discrimination and exclusion. Sundar Bahadur Sheni from Nepal emphasised the need for Dalit inclusion in political and public spaces, […]
December 13th, 2024|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, United Nations|