Archive | Key Issues

Caste and gender-based violence addressed at IDSN’s first UN side-event

Following IDSN’s ECOSOC accreditation last year, we were delighted to formally sponsor and host our first side event at the UN 53rd Human Rights Council. It took place on Wednesday 5 July 2023 and focused […]
July 26th, 2023|Access to justice, Bangladesh, Dalit Women, India, Nepal, Pakistan, United Nations|

UN HRC 53 SIDE-EVENT: Addressing the Intersections between Caste and Gender-Based Violence in South Asia

IDSN is hosting a side-event at the 53rd UN Human Rights Council meeting on 5 July 2023, from 11-12 CET in Room XXV at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The event, entitled “Addressing the […]
June 26th, 2023|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, India, Nepal, Pakistan, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|

Pakistan UPR review: caste-related recommendations

The outcome report on the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Pakistan has been published and will be presented during the 53rd session held from 19 June to 14 July […]

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 […]