Archive | Key Issues

States neglect to address caste discrimination at the UN rights review of the UK

DSN-UK have summarised the review on their website stating: Prior to the review DSN-UK and International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) made a joint submission to the UPR, outlining the need to outlaw caste-based discrimination in the UK […]
May 19th, 2017|Access to justice, UK, United Nations|

New human rights portal in Nepal to help bring justice to Dalits

The organisations behind the portal describe it in a press release on the portal website stating: The Dalit Human Rights Portal (DHR-PORTAL) is a brand new media tool in Nepal to advance work on eliminating caste-based discrimination […]
April 29th, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, Nepal|

HRW: India must stop ‘cow protection’ vigilante violence against Dalits and Muslims

In the report Human Rights Watch (HRW) states: Indian authorities should promptly investigate and prosecute self-appointed “cow protectors” who have committed brutal attacks against Muslims and Dalits over rumors that they sold, bought, or killed […]
April 27th, 2017|India, Violence and atrocities|

Report: Dalit workers in India’s leather industry suffer serious rights abuses

The report, ‘Do leather workers matter? Violating labour rights and environmental norms in India’s leather production’, is based on background and field research at three production hubs that supply hides, leather, garments, accessories and footwear […]
March 20th, 2017|Caste-based slavery, India|

UN Expert Report: India must act on access to adequate housing for Dalits

The report cites Government statistics revealing that Dalits on average live in lower quality housing, made with inadequate materials compared to the general population and finds the lack of access for Dalits to latrines, […]
February 3rd, 2017|India, Living conditions, United Nations|

Report: Widespread child slavery in India’s yarn industry, most victims are Dalits

The India Committee on the Netherlands (ICN) report  ‘Fabric of Slavery – Large-scale forced (child) labour in India’s spinning mills’ shows that various forms of modern slavery, including child slavery, are found in more […]
January 13th, 2017|Caste-based slavery, Dalit Women, United Nations|

India blocks funding for IDSN member Navsarjan Trust

The Government order to cancel the license accuses Navsarjan Trust of being involved in “undesirable activities aimed to affect prejudicially harmony between religious, racial, social, linguistic, regional groups, castes or communities,” but it does […]
January 6th, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India|

References to caste discrimination during the CEDAW review of Bangladesh

On 7 and 8 November, Bangladesh was reviewed under the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Prior to the review thirteen civil society organisations submitted alternative reports, outlining various issues that […]
November 10th, 2016|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, United Nations|

Caste at the Human Rights Council’s 33 session

The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) commenced its 33rd session on 13 September. This year the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences has a […]
September 15th, 2016|Caste-based slavery, United Nations|

Indian Government under attack for atrocities against Dalits

The Indian government has come under attack for atrocities against Dalits. In a debate on Dalit atrocities in the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) on Thursday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh  disputed claims of increasing […]
August 15th, 2016|India, Violence and atrocities|