Archive | Programme

Will SDGs “leave no one behind” without a disaggregated data on caste-based discrimination?

In 2015, seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by world leaders to guide global development agendas for the next 15 years. Yet, to date, the indicators measuring the achievement of the SDGs have […]
November 21st, 2016|Diaspora, Human Rights Defenders, United Nations|

References to caste discrimination during the CEDAW review of Bangladesh

On 7 and 8 November, Bangladesh was reviewed under the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Prior to the review thirteen civil society organisations submitted alternative reports, outlining various issues that […]
November 10th, 2016|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, United Nations|

The SR on Minority issues completed her visit to Sri Lanka

The UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, just completed her official 10 days visit in Sri Lanka. In her statement on 20 October, the SR urged the government to take concrete steps […]
October 21st, 2016|Sri Lanka, United Nations|

Caste at the Human Rights Council’s 33 session

The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) commenced its 33rd session on 13 September. This year the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences has a […]
September 15th, 2016|Caste-based slavery, United Nations|

Caste discrimination in the United Kingdom

On 28 August 2016, as a part of the regular review process, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published its concluding observations to the UK. The Committee expressed its concern that […]
September 7th, 2016|UK, United Nations|

MEPs make caste appeal to EU foreign policy chief

The European Union should step up its efforts to address caste discrimination at the multilateral level as well as in its direct relations with caste-affected states. It should also integrate the issue into its […]
June 30th, 2016|European Union, Human Rights Defenders, United Nations|

UN expert supports IDSN at Human Rights Council

The obstruction of IDSN’s application for consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was discussed at the UN Human Rights Council on 17 June when the Special Rapporteur on the freedom […]
June 20th, 2016|Country/region, Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations|

Infamous NGO Committee excludes human rights defenders from the UN

COPENHAGEN, 1 JUNE — The UN Committee on NGOs has become infamous as a tool of states that do not respect human rights and civil society. The Committee’s practice of repeatedly deferring NGO applications […]
June 1st, 2016|India, United Nations|

IDSN cited as example of obstruction against NGOs

In an unprecedented move, NGOs from around the world have joined forces to defend freedom of association at the United Nations. In a letter to ECOSOC member states, they have expressed concern about the […]
May 25th, 2016|Human Rights Defenders, United Nations|

Global conference urged to discuss rights of 300 million Dalit and indigenous women

COPENHAGEN, 11 MAY 2016 — When leaders and activists from all over the world gather in Copenhagen next week to focus on the health and human rights of girls and women, their discussions must […]
May 11th, 2016|Dalit Women, Uncategorized, United Nations|