Archive | Political Participation

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|

Pakistan: Dalits demand representation

Participants in a consultation on Dalit political representation have adopted a resolution urging political parties in Pakistan to nominate members of ‘scheduled castes’ for seats in the country’s elected assemblies.

April 2nd, 2013|Pakistan, Political Participation|

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|

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|