Archive | 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|

UN Special Rapporteur criticises India’s FCRA

India’s controversial Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) has come under attack by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association, Maina Kiai. In a recently published legal analysis, he argues that the […]
May 9th, 2016|Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations|

UN expert: India should legislate against housing discrimination

India needs legislation to combat all forms of “de facto housing discrimination” against any individual or groups, including Dalits, the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, Leilani Farha, said at the conclusion of her visit […]
April 28th, 2016|development, India, United Nations|

Rohith suicide case continues to stir India

On 22 March, student demonstrators at Hyderabad Central University were violently attacked by police who forcefully detained 29 protesters, brutally beat them and held them in undisclosed locations for more than 24 hours. During […]

IDSN members lobby global community

On 14 March 2016, IDSN members from all over the world gathered in Geneva for the network’s triennial General Assembly. Participants were Dalit human rights defenders from South Asia, Dalit Solidarity Networks from Europe, […]

UN Deputy High Commissioner gravely concerned about caste discrimination

The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore, has reiterated her office’s strong commitment to addressing caste discrimination as an important priority in its work. In a meeting in Geneva on 16 March […]
March 30th, 2016|Bangladesh, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, Pakistan, United Nations|

UN expert calls on states to end caste discrimination

GENEVA, 17 MARCH 2016 — Caste-affected countries should take urgent and comprehensive action to combat caste discrimination, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Rita Izsàk-Ndiaye, says in a new report on the issue […]