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PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS: A Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation (OHCHR and Equal Rights Trust)
PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS A Practical Guide to Developing Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Legislation Caste specifically mentioned as descent and included under racial discrimination
Pakistan through Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent Lens (GFOD Report
Country Report on Status of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent in Pakistan published by GFOD - 2023
EU-India report calls for an EU strategy on addressing caste discrimination (IDSN News)
IDSN welcomes The European Parliament adoption of a comprehensive report on EU-India relations on 17 January. This report, while broadly focusing on various aspects of the EU-India relationship excluding trade, contains critical insights and recommendations pertinent to the issue of caste-based discrimination in India. Authored by MEP Alviina Alametsa, the standing rapporteur on India, the document follows up on previous work and provides a framework for addressing these human rights concerns.
Dalit voices resonate in Brussels: IDSN takes part in the EU NGO Forum 2023 (IDSN News)
Dalit activists forming part of the IDSN delegation made their presence felt at the 25th EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights in Brussels, Belgium held from 4-6 December, 2023. Sunil Kumar Pariyar from Nepal and Prameela KP from India joined the forum to highlight the challenges faced by Dalit communities in their respective countries and beyond.
Advocating for equality: IDSN delegation addresses challenges faced by Dalits at key UN Forums (IDSN news)
An IDSN delegation of Dalit human rights defenders participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights held on 27-29 November as well as the UN Forum on Minority Issues, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from 30 November – 1 December 2023. The delegation made an important impact giving statements and participating in panels, sessions and events.
IDSN members and associates gather to review, strategize and chart the way forward for a world free of caste discrimination (IDSN news)
Perspectives, ideas, insights and engagement filled the room as representatives from IDSN’s member organisations and international associates from across the globe gathered for a two-day general assembly meeting in Geneva on 24-25 November, 2023.
2022 Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World – Report of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy | EEAS
Addressing the situation of Dalits in Bangladesh at the UN UPR pre-session (IDSN News)
On 30 September 2023, Probir Sircar, from IDSN’s affiliate organisation, Parittran, was invited by UPR Info, to deliver a statement during the pre-session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Bangladesh in Palais des Nations, Geneva. The event was organised in view of the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Bangladesh, which will take place on 13 November 2023.
Joint NGO submission related to the review of Bangladesh for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review 2023 – The Situation of Dalits in Bangladesh
In March 2023, IDSN, Parittran, Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement, DALIT, and Nagorik Uddyog collaboratively submitted a report to the Universal Periodic Review Secretariat of the UN. This report, based on consultations ongoing since 2018, highlighted the situation of Dalits in Bangladesh.
Youth at the forefront: Kathmandu events boosts advocacy to end caste/descent-based discrimination – International Dalit Solidarity Network
Marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a series of events focusing on combatting descent-based discrimination, through the prism of access to justice and the role of youth in South Asia, were held in Kathmandu. Spanning four days, from September 4th to 7th, 2023, the events were organized jointly by IPMS/Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) and the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (GFOD).
Caste Discrimination highlighted in the EU’s Annual Human Rights Report (IDSN News)
The European Union has recently unveiled its Annual Report on Human Rights, shedding light on various global concerns. Notably, the report offers insights into the EU’s stance and interactions related to caste discrimination and the rights of Dalits.
Recommendations for the 53rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (19 June – 14 July 2023)
In connection with their participation in the 53rd Human Rights Council session, States are encouraged to consider the ongoing and systemic practice of discrimination based on work and descent, also known as caste-based discrimination, affecting over 260 million people globally. Read the full recommendations issued by IDSN.
UN Human Rights Council Regular Session 53 Activities (IDSN News 2023)
IDSN highlighted the need to keep caste discrimination on the international agenda through recommendations, meeting with Permanent Missions and statements at Interactive Dialogues made by IDSN affiliates. Swapon Kumar Das, the Executive Director of DALIT in Khulna, Bangladesh read out a statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur (SR) on climate change. Jarna Das working for Parittran in Khulna, Bangladesh, also an affiliate of IDSN’s, read a statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur on trafficking, and Kalpana Biswakarma, part of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights in New Delhi, India, a member of IDSN, prepared a statement to be read at the Interactive Dialogue on the Special Rapporteur on Poverty.
Caste and gender-based violence addressed at IDSN’s first UN side-event (News 2023)
Following IDSN’s ECOSOC accreditation last year, we were delighted to formally sponsor and host our first side event at the 53rd UN Human Rights Council. It took place on Wednesday 5 July 2023 and focused on ‘Addressing the intersection of caste and gender-based violence in South Asia’. The side-event was a great success with good participation and was also livestreamed. We thank the speakers, participants and co-sponsors: International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), FORUM-ASIA, Minority Rights Group and Human Rights Watch (HRW); and supporting organisations Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network (DHRDNet), The Blue Club, Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO), National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL), for making this a wonderful event. Do read the full article on the event and the statements by the speakers.
Pakistan UPR review: caste-related recommendations (IDSN)
The outcome report on the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Pakistan has been published and will be adopted during the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council held from 19 June to 14 July 2023. The outcomes of the review have implications for all marginalised communities in Pakistan, including the Dalits, who form a significant portion of the religious and ethnic minority groups in the country. Ahead of the review IDSN participated in the UPR Pre-Session and submitted a joint stakeholder submission on the human rights situation of Dalits in Pakistan.
Bangladesh: Gathering momentum for inclusive anti-discrimination legislation (News 2023)
In a significant step towards fostering equality and social justice, the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) and Parittran recently organised a National Consultation Meeting on the Anti-Discrimination Bill-2022. Held in Dhaka, the event served as a platform for diverse stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations on the proposed legislation. The meeting aimed to address the concerns and aspirations of Dalits in Bangladesh, while paving the way for a more inclusive society. In this article we look at the main outcome and topics discussed at the consultation.
Submission on the situation of Dalits in Bangladesh for the UN Universal Periodic Review (2023)
IDSN submitted a Joint NGO report on the situation of Dalits in Bangladesh in advance of the review of Bangladesh for the UPR mechanisms fourth cycle. The report critically evaluates Bangladesh's three previous cycles of the UPR, in 2009, 2013, and 2018, focusing on recommendations concerning ethnic and religious minorities and the Anti-Discrimination Bill accepted by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). It also offers a comprehensive look at the country's progress in addressing caste discrimination and protecting Dalit rights, while shedding light on the work that still needs to be done.
Caste-based discrimination in the leather industry in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan (News)
A new paper released by IDSN associate ARISA (Advocating Rights in South Asia) examines the interlinkages between labour exploitation in the leather industry in South Asia and caste. The paper shows that caste and related discriminatory practices, at times specifically interwoven with religion, are high risk factors for businesses that source leather or leather products from India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. It explains how caste-based and religious-based discrimination presents itself in these countries and how this connects to the leather industry.
Caste related extracts from the 2023 European Parliament’s annual report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter (Adopted 2023)
European Parliament resolution of 18 January 2023 on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2022 (2022/2049(INI)) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0011_EN.pdf