Archive | Political Participation

Police action against Kathmandu protest organised by Dalit lawmakers and rights activists

During the rally, police allegedly used excessive force against protesters and Durga Sob, President of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) and a number of other Dalit activists and CA Members were injured. On August 5, […]
August 10th, 2015|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, Nepal, Political Participation|

Exclusion of Dalit rights defenders from UN featured in handbook on NGO access

The handbook, A Practical Guide to the UN Committee on NGOs, is an honest account of the way in which the NGO committee functions and malfunctions, with helpful tips and useful insight. At the well-attended launch, […]

Leading Dalit activists arrested for protesting massive cuts in budgets meant for Dalits

Massive cuts to provisions for education of Dalits and Adivasis were central to the protest and public meeting, organised by the Campaign of Adivasis and Dalits for Rights on Education (CADRE 2201). “The budgeted expenditure […]
March 13th, 2015|Access to justice, India, Political Participation|

India’s blocking of IDSN’s UN consultative status continues

The blocking of IDSN reflects a frightening trend in India for obstructing the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders, particularly when it comes to Dalit and minority rights. Dalit rights activists across […]
February 20th, 2015|Access to justice, India, Political Participation, United Nations|

Bangladesh: Dalits fight for their rights – hold anti-discrimination marches and a housing rights seminar

Dalits marched in Bangladesh to demand that the Government enact anti-discrimination legislation – important to the protection of rights of marginalised groups like the Dalits. The Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement also organised a seminar on housing and land rights for Dalits.

October 23rd, 2014|Bangladesh, Political Participation|

India’s Prime Minister and the President urge the nation to end casteism

In two separate speeches India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, have stressed the urgent need to end casteism and communal violence splitting the Nation and hampering India’s developement.

September 25th, 2014|India, Political Participation|

Thousands of Dalits protest over attacks and discrimination in Pakistan

In a mass protest 15,000 Hindus, the majority of them Dalits, marched through the streets of Karachi to push for the provincial Government of Sindh in Pakistan to meet their demands for provisions to stop escalating discrimination against Hindus in the region.

September 24th, 2014|Pakistan, Political Participation|

South Asian parliamentarians join together to fight caste discrimination

Parliamentarians from India, Nepal and Bangladesh have formed the ‘South Asian Parliamentary Forum’ (SAPF) to combat caste discrimination, at the historic ‘South Asia Parliamentarians Conference on Dalit Concerns’ in Kathmandu 8-9th December.

February 4th, 2014|Political Participation, South Asia|

Dalits: Government must take immediate action to pass caste legislation

Dalits in India have united to issue an urgent appeal to the Indian Government to take immediate action on passing pending legislation amending the Prevention of Atrocities act, meant to stop atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis (tribals) in India. They are also asking the Government to approve a bill to ensure the proper allocation and distribution of budgets for Dalits and Adivasis.

January 29th, 2014|Access to justice, India, Political Participation|

Arrest of 15 Dalit and Adivasi activists protesting against the government’s broken promises

Dalit and Adivasi activists protested in front of the Indian Parliament Tuesday, to convey their anger that India’s ruling parties have broken their promise to table important budget bills, meant to benefit Dalits and Adivasis (SCP TSP Legislation) and amendments to the act meant to prevent atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis (the SC/ST PoA act).

December 19th, 2013|Access to justice, India, Political Participation|