Archive | Key Issues

UN review of Pakistan: Urgent protection needed for minorities

Press Release (23 October 2012). The Government of Pakistan has failed to honour the commitments it made at the UN review of its human rights record four years ago. International NGOs are urging states to recommend it to ensure full protection of minorities, including Dalits and other marginalised groups.

October 23rd, 2012|Pakistan, Political Participation, Programme, United Nations|

UN experts call for end to caste-based stigma and slavery

IDSN press release: UN officials and Dalit activists called on states to address the stigma and exclusion caused by caste discrimination at a side event during the 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

September 13th, 2012|Caste-based slavery, United Nations|

Employers of manual scavengers to face prison

The Indian government is ready to introduce new legislation to end manual scavenging. The proposed bill includes tough penalties for those who continue to employ people as scavengers.

August 31st, 2012|Access to justice, Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

Pakistan: Dalits call for affirmative action

The recent wave of kidnappings and forced marriages of Dalit girls has spread fear in Pakistan’s Dalit community, which is already extremely marginalised.

August 20th, 2012|Access to justice, Pakistan, Political Participation|

Bollywood star denounces caste discrimination

In a recent episode of his popular talk show, Satyamev Jayate, the actor Aamir Khan focused on caste discrimination and declared it a ‘mental illness’.

August 15th, 2012|Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

NHRC chairman calls for law to protect Dalits

Dalits in Bangladesh face severe national and social injustice, says Dr Mizanur Rahman, chairman of the country's National Human Rights Commission.

August 6th, 2012|Access to justice, Bangladesh|

Dalit Christian worker brutally killed in Sindh, Pakistan

The Pakistan Dalit Network demands the arrest of the killers of the Mirpurkhas Christian worker, who was brutally killed. This serious case demonstrates the physical abuse and social discrimination, which Pakistan’s Christian and Hindus scheduled castes population is subject to because of their religious beliefs and "low caste" status.

July 11th, 2012|Access to justice, Pakistan|

Consultation on enforcing and amending the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in India, chalks out future strategies

The consultation, organised by the National Coalition for Strengthening the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act (NCSPA), recapped and analyzed the interventions made by the Coalition, arrived at a consensus on elements of proposed amendments to the act and chalked out effective future strategies required for national, state and local level.

May 29th, 2012|Access to justice, India|

Mass protests in India to reclaim Dalit budgetary rights

On 9th of May thousands of Dalits and Adivasis (Tribals) from all over India stormed up to the Parliament in New Delhi to demand their rightful economic share in the state and union budgets.

May 10th, 2012|Access to justice, India, Political Participation|

Dalits in Nepal unhappy with the preliminary results of the Constitution drafting process

In Nepal, Dalits are protesting the preliminary results of the constitution drafting process as Dalit concerns have not been duly reflected in the proposed 1st draft.

May 9th, 2012|Access to justice, Nepal, Political Participation|