Archive | Programme

Yemen’s Al-Akhdam face brutal oppression

In a joint submission to the UN’s UPR mechanism, the All Youth Network in Yemen and IDSN provide an alternative report on the precarious human rights conditions of the Al-Akhdam people and urge the Government of Yemen to address their situation.

July 3rd, 2013|Access to justice, Education, United Nations, Yemen|

Nepal: Attack on Dalit village condemned

The violent assault on a Dalit village in Nepal has led to strong protests from Dalit civil society as well as international condemnation.

June 13th, 2013|Access to justice, European Union, Nepal|

Dalit women raise their voices in the UN

Nine Dalit women activists from South Asia attended the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva last week. Members of the group spoke at a side event on Dalit women on 4 June, and they appealed to UN member states to address their situation.

June 10th, 2013|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, United Nations|

Take action to improve conditions for Dalit women

Women and girls facing caste-based discrimination need special protections (Press release from Human Rights Watch, IMADR, Minority Rights Group International and IDSN)

June 7th, 2013|Dalit Women, India, South Asia, United Nations|

Pillay pledges support for Dalit women

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reiterated her commitment to ending caste discrimination. In a statement to a UN side event on Dalit women, she also called on UN member states to address the issue.

June 5th, 2013|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, India, Nepal, South Asia, United Nations|

UN experts speak out on caste issue

Seven UN Special Procedures mandate holders have issued a powerful media statement, focusing on the violence and discrimination suffered by the world’s ‘untouchables’, particularly the Dalits of South Asia.

May 24th, 2013|Nepal, South Asia, United Nations|

Call for UN focus on Dalit women

IDSN has urged UN member states to recognise Dalit women as a particularly vulnerable group in the upcoming annual resolution in the Human Rights Council on violence against women.

May 22nd, 2013|Dalit Women, India, United Nations|

UN expert: Education system fails Dalits

In his most recent report, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism notes that discrimination against Dalits in the educational system is widespread in caste-affected countries. It leads to high dropout rates and even suicides.

May 15th, 2013|Education, United Nations|

Culture of impunity harms Dalit women

On the last day of her visit to India, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Ms Rashida Manjoo, said that Dalit women experience some of the worst forms of discrimination and oppression.

May 2nd, 2013|Dalit Women, India, United Nations|

UPR Bangladesh: Dalits need protection

When Bangladesh was reviewed by the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism on 29 April, concerns were expressed about the human rights situation of the country’s minorities, including Dalits.

April 30th, 2013|Access to justice, United Nations|