Archive | Key Issues

EP urges India to fight violence against women

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on violence against women in India. The document contains several references to caste discrimination and the situation of Dalit women.

January 17th, 2013|Access to justice, Dalit Women, India, United Nations|

Dalit award winner is refused passport

The winner of the Dutch Human Rights Tulip 2012 is barred from traveling to the Netherlands to receive his award. Marimuthu Bharathan, a Dalit human rights defender from Tamil Nadu, has been refused a passport by the Indian authorities.

January 8th, 2013|Caste-based slavery, European Union, India, Manual Scavenging|

European Parliament adopts historic resolution on Dalits

PRESS RELEASE: A strongly worded resolution on caste discrimination in India was debated and adopted today by the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Parliament condemned the high number of atrocities committed against Dalits in India and the Indian government’s insufficient action on the issue of caste discrimination.

December 13th, 2012|Caste-based slavery, Dalit Women, European Union, India, Manual Scavenging|

Caste included in EP resolution on human rights

The European Parliament (EP) includes text on caste discrimination in the resolution adopted on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2011 and the European Union’s policy on the matter.

December 13th, 2012|Dalit Women, European Union|

Consultation discusses law against caste discrimination

At a regional consultation in Dhaka, human rights campaigners discussed steps towards enactment of special legislation to ensure equal rights for Dalits and other excluded communities in Bangladesh.

December 11th, 2012|Access to justice, Bangladesh|

Dalits march against manual scavenging

A national march – the Maila Mukti Yatra - will cross India with a call for the total eradication of ‘the slavery of manual scavenging’. It happens at a time when prominent campaigners have expressed scepticism towards new legislation against this banned, but continuing, practice.

November 29th, 2012|Caste-based slavery, India, Manual Scavenging|

Minister promises amendments to PoA Act

Thousands of Dalits and Adivasis gathered in Delhi on Friday to demand amendments to the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The government may bring in these amendments early next year.

November 26th, 2012|Access to justice, India|

Huge Dalit rally planned for November

A coalition of 150 Indian NGOs is demanding amendments to - and proper implementation of - the laws that are supposed to protect Dalits and Adivasis from atrocities. The campaign is gathering momentum.

October 26th, 2012|India, Political Participation|

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|