Archive | Key Issues

Progress in the fight to #EndCasteDiscrimination in the global South Asian diaspora

Over the past months the campaign to end caste discrimination in key South Asian diaspora communities has gathered momentum. Anti-caste groups and activists in the US, Canada, UK and Australia have carried out targeted […]

May 23rd, 2023|Access to justice, Diaspora, Human Rights Defenders, UK|

Bangladesh: Gathering momentum for inclusive anti-discrimination legislation

In a significant step towards fostering equality and social justice, the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) and Parittran recently organised a National Consultation Meeting on the Anti-Discrimination Bill-2022. Held in Dhaka, the event served as […]

May 22nd, 2023|Access to justice, Bangladesh, Human Rights Defenders|

UN UPR Review: UN member states call on India to address caste discrimination

During the 4th cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review of India, the country received eight direct recommendations on caste, including topics such as racism, water, forced marriage and child labour.

On November 10, 2022 […]

Young Dalit leaders speak out at UN Business and Human Rights Forum

An IDSN delegation of inspiring young Dalit rights leaders participated in the the 11th session of the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. The Forum was created by the Working Group on […]

January 19th, 2023|Business, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, South Asia, United Nations|

Dalit woman appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Racism

IDSN welcomes the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Dr. Ashwini K.P., to the post.  Dr. K.P. brings with her valuable knowledge and insight on […]

October 6th, 2022|Dalit Women, United Nations|

Dalit rights raised at the pre-session for the UN rights review of India

Dalit activists gathered in Geneva to take part in the pre-session for the Universal Periodic Review of India – scheduled for November 2022. Rahul Singh, the Director of the National Dalit Movement for Justice-NCDHR, […]

September 27th, 2022|Dalit Women, India, United Nations|

Speaking out against caste discrimination at the Women at Work Conference

A unique event organised by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund brought together, activists, experts, trade unions and several international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch, IDSN and OSF.  In a session dedicated to addressing caste-based […]

The UN Special Rapporteur on Slavery highlights the deep-rooted and intersecting forms of discrimination as main causes of contemporary forms of slavery affecting minorities

At the 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, Mr Tomoya Obokata, the Special Rapporteur on Slavery, will present his report focusing on the Contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, […]

OECD Forum: the first session on caste-based discrimination

News courtesy of IDSN International Associate – Arisa

This year, the ‘OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector’ took place from the 22nd till the 24th of February. This forum is an […]

March 21st, 2022|Business, India, South Asia|

New report and symposium charts pathways towards access to justice for Dalit defenders in Pakistan

The symposium “Challenges to effective legal remedies for Dalit and Minorities’ defenders in Pakistan and proposed solution to those challenges” was organised in Pakistan to discuss and launch the Pakistan report of the Dalit […]

December 30th, 2021|Access to justice, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, Pakistan|