Archive | Key Issues

    IDSN report: Disasters hit Dalits harder

    A new report reveals that Dalits are particularly vulnerable to disasters before and after they strike. Consequently, humanitarian actors must pay particular attention to their situation when preparing for and responding to emergencies.

    October 15th, 2013|Humanitarian Aid, South Asia|

      Acquittals in massacre case shock Dalits

      Almost 16 years after the savage killings of 58 Dalits in a Bihar village, the survivors’ fight for justice has suffered a severe blow. On 9 October, the Patna High Court acquitted 26 men who were sentenced for the crime three years ago.

      October 14th, 2013|Access to justice, Dalit Women, India|

        Dalit women desperately seeking justice

        The National Tribunal on Violence Against Dalit Women, organised by AIDMAM, heard over 45 testimonies of Dalit women who had been subjected to kidnapping, murder, physical assault, sexual violence and other crimes against them, and have yet to obtain justice.

        October 2nd, 2013|Access to justice, Dalit Women, India|

          EP Committee approves caste resolution

          Next month, the European Parliament will express serious concern about caste discrimination and urge the EU to take action on this important human rights issue.

          September 19th, 2013|Access to justice, Bangladesh, European Union, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Yemen|

            India passes bill on manual scavenging

            A long awaited bill prohibiting manual scavenging was passed by the Indian parliament on 7 September. But two leading campaign organisations say that much needs to be done before the total eradication of this inhuman practice is achieved.

            September 9th, 2013|Access to justice, Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

              Strong Dalit protests over Haryana death

              The alleged rape and murder of a 20-year old Dalit woman in Haryana has prompted civil society groups to protest against the inaction of the authorities. Her body was found on 25 August in the city of Jind. The victim’s family and activists believe that she was gang-raped before being killed.

              August 30th, 2013|Dalit Women, India|

                Slave castes suffer in Madagascar

                The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery has urged the Government of Madagascar to address the issue of caste discrimination openly. She also notes that victims of caste discrimination are generally vulnerable to slavery and slavery-like practices, such as bonded labour in South Asia.

                August 21st, 2013|Africa, Caste-based slavery, Nepal, United Nations|

                  Scavengers threaten to block parliament

                  Hundreds of manual scavengers demonstrated in Delhi on 7 August against government apathy in abolishing the inhuman practice of manual scavenging. Unless legislation is introduced soon, they will return in their thousands and prevent parliament from functioning.

                  August 9th, 2013|Access to justice, Caste-based slavery, Dalit Women, India, Manual Scavenging|

                    Yemen’s Al-Akhdam face brutal oppression

                    In a joint submission to the UN’s UPR mechanism, the All Youth Network in Yemen and IDSN provide an alternative report on the precarious human rights conditions of the Al-Akhdam people and urge the Government of Yemen to address their situation.

                    July 3rd, 2013|Access to justice, Education, United Nations, Yemen|

                      Nepal: Attack on Dalit village condemned

                      The violent assault on a Dalit village in Nepal has led to strong protests from Dalit civil society as well as international condemnation.

                      June 13th, 2013|Access to justice, European Union, Nepal|