Dalit women and hate-speech – IDSN briefing for the EU in relation to the UN CSW67 – 2022

The impact on women of caste-based hate speech in the internet, so- cial media, and technology spheres

EU briefing on human rights situation for Dalits in Pakistan

Contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Tomoya Obokata

The report is focused on contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities. In that context, the Special Rapporteur identifies the main causes of contemporary forms of slavery affecting these groups and the main manifestations, such as chattel slavery; forced and bonded labour; domestic servitude; sexual slavery; child and forced marriage; and child labour.

IDSN members take part in training on interaction with the European Union – International Dalit Solidarity Network

In September and October, IDSN ran workshops designed to help members and affiliates understand the EU mechanisms and how to best engage with them.

Feedback from: International Dalit Solidarity Network

IDSN Response to EU Call for Evidence in the framework of the drafting of an EU forced labour Instrument

EU meeting with Ahmed Shaheed, the current UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief – International Dalit Solidarity Network

In June, IDSN and a group of other civil society organisations met with Ahmed Shaheed, the current Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, in Brussels.

European Leaders Should Raise Human Rights Concerns with Modi | Human Rights Watch

Speaking in New Delhi on April 25, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen referred to India as a “vibrant democracy,” sharing common values and interests with the European Union. But these cliches, repeated by rote by European leaders seeking closer trade and political ties with India, do not reflect the reality of growing abuses and discriminatory policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule.

Ensuring a gender-responsive and effective Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence legislation

Open letter re Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive proposal1 adopted by the European Commission on February 23rd. Which lays down rules for companies to respect human rights and the environment in global value chains.

European Dalit Solidarity networks meet in Copenhagen to chart out future strategies for collaboration – International Dalit Solidarity Network

IDSN was delighted to welcome representatives from Dalit Solidarity Networks in Germany, UK, Finland and Norway to Copenhagen for a two-day meeting from 8-9 February. IDSN International Associate Arisa from The Netherlands also took part in the meeting and special guest, Priyadharsini Palani, from The Blue Club, made an inspiring presentation on the organisation’s work on amplifying the voices of Dalit women.

Dalit rights defenders speak out on caste at the EU-NGO Forum (IDSN)

Economic, social and labour rights were the thematic headlines of this year’s EU-NGO Human Rights Forum, where three Dalit human rights defenders were featured as panellists, facilitated by IDSN. Caste-related barriers to healthcare in Pakistan, post-covid economic and social recovery for Dalit workers in South Asia and building corporate accountability to respect human rights were among the key topics covered by the panellists.

The EU calls on the UN NGO Committee to end “unjust” 10 year deferral of IDSN’s application (IDSN News)

In a European Union Statement delivered by Mr. Christophe Forax, First Counsellor, at the 75th United Nations General Assembly Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations 2021 Resumed Session, the EU called for ending the unjust deferrals of applications for UN ECOSOC status, naming five organisations, including the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN)

EU Consultation for an Initiative on Sustainable Corporate Governance

Need and objectives for EU intervention on sustainable corporate governance

Recommendations for the 43rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (24 February – 20 March 2020)

In connection with their participation in the 43rd 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 more than 260 million people globally.

European Union Must Speak Out Against India’s Rights Violations | Front Line Defenders

The EU should take a strong stand and press India to immediately end systemic human rights violations, seven organizations said today, ahead of the European Union-India Human Rights Dialogue scheduled for January 12, 2021. India should also free all detained human rights defenders and others arrested on politically motivated charges.

EU-NGO Forum 2020

22nd EU NGO Human Rights Forum - The Impact of New Technologies on Human Rights

EU Human Rights chief discusses caste violence with Dalit women activists (IDSN News)

EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore and India and Nepal desk representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS) met with IDSN and Dalit women activists from the Feminist Dalit Organisation – Nepal (FEDO) and All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM-NCDHR) to discuss caste-based violence against Dalit women in their respective countries. The meeting was held online on 24 November and Mr. Gilmore assured the women that the EU remained committed to working to end caste-based violence and discrimination.

Sanitation workers: a repository | WaterAid India

An initiative to bring together various important resources on the issues of manual scavenging and sanitation work

Double Discrimination: Dalit Women in Manual Scavenging – YouTube

Women engaged in manual scavenging face the double burden of caste and gender-based discrimination. Let us pledge to support their dignity, health and rights. A film by Nirman Chowdhury, produced by Sudharak Olwe, for WaterAid India. The first part of a series.

EU Parliament’s human rights panel warns India over increasing attack on religious minorities (Scroll.in)

“Maria Arena, the chief of the panel, said that protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act have led to “arbitrary detentions and an unnecessary loss of life”. She said that journalists and peaceful critics were being arrested under “draconian counter-terrorism and sedition laws”

Joint letter urges EU to raise serious concern for Dalit human rights defenders at the EU-India summit (IDSN News)

Amnesty International (AI), Front Line Defenders (FLD), Human Rights Watch (HRW), IDSN, Minority Rights Group International (MRG), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) issued a joint letter calling on the EU to specifically address serious concerns for the safety and rights of human rights defenders in India.