From tika to ashes

Contribution from the International Dalit Solidarity Network IDSN

The Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (EMRTD) has identified five themes on which it intends to submit studies to the Human Rights Council during its mandate term. One of these studies is on Racism, racial discrimination and the right to development. Article 5 of the Declaration on the Right to Development enjoinsstates to take resolute steps to eliminate the violations of the human rights of peoples affected by racism and racial discrimination. The elimination of racism is therefore recognized as essential to fulfilling the right to development.

Recommendations for the 44 th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 17 July 2020)

In connection with their participation in the 44th 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.

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.

Full article: Sustainable sanitation jobs: prospects for enhancing the livelihoods of pit-emptiers in Bangladesh

Manual pit-emptying – the removal of faecal sludge from pits and tanks using hands or basic tools – is a widespread practice in Bangladesh, and in other low- and middle-income countries. Despite this, little is known about the livelihoods of pit-emptiers. This paper analyses data from six cases of pit-emptying in three cities in Bangladesh, across three different operational modes: private cooperatives, government employees and self-employed workers.

Joint Stakeholder Submission of Non-governmental Organization on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Nepal

For the preparation of the report, consultations and discussions have been held with more than 223 Dalit civil society organizations and other human rights organizations in Nepal. The report has been prepared consulting with various stakeholders, concerned members, experts/specialists at state government and Prime Minister's office, concerned ministries, parliamentary committees, honorable members of parliament, Dalit commission, women commission among others, Dalit people's organizations, civil society, human rights activists and Dalit civil society's heads and representatives and journalists.

Campaign Against Caste-Based Discrimination In India | Youth Ki Awaaz

Join Youth Ki Awaaz in challenging caste-based discrimination in educational institutions and manual scavenging by highlighting voices from the community and demanding swift policy action that ensure effective implementation of existing frameworks.

From hardship to hope: women migrant workers in the Indian ready-made garment industry | OpenGlobalRights

In order to provide women migrant workers with a life of dignity, security, and a sense of recognition at their workplaces, the three primary stakeholders of the garment sector supply chain need to work quickly and collaboratively.

Belongg Mental Health Collective: Resources on Caste – Google Sheets

Belongg Mental Health Collective has curated resources on the intersection of caste and mental health.

Beyond the death penalty: Anti-rape activism needs to expand

The demand for the death penalty to rapists has taken the forefront of our advocacy for rape prevention and persecution – a stance that is starting to obscure the larger intersection of issues that rape includes.

Kakkoos Documentary Film Official Release | Direction – Divya – YouTube

Documentary about manual scavenging in India.

Violence and Discrimination against Women of Religious Minority Backgrounds in Pakistan

Report by CREID Intersections series Religious Inequalities and Gender. Nov 2020. The theme of this special collection of papers, the lived experiences of women who belong to religious minorities, has been a blind spot both in international development policy engagement and in much of the international scholarship on women, security and peace.

UN experts raise concern over caste-based slavery – International Dalit Solidarity Network

UN experts spoke out about the links between discrimination and slavery at the webinar “Contemporary Slavery & Racial Discrimination: Civil Society Support to Survivors during the Pandemic” organised by the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the Geneva Human Rights Platform and the UK Mission in Geneva, on 2 December. Several experts raised concern over caste discrimination and caste-based occupations as well as the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable groups.

Contemporary Slavery & Racial Discrimination: Civil Society Support to Survivors during the Pandemic – YouTube

Webinar on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, organized by the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, the Geneva Human Rights Platform and the UK Mission in Geneva.

“I’m Going To Live A Leader’s Life And Die A Leader Too”: Manisha Mashaal

The ongoing conversations on gender and caste in the feminist discourse emphasise on the importance of Dalit women’s voices. The lives and stories of women from marginalized sections of the society are important starting points for understanding this intersection of gender and caste. One such strong and resilient voice is the voice of Manisha Mashaal. Manisha Mashaal is a grassroots anti-caste activist, an orator and a singer.

Dalits of Punjab – Dalit Women and Their Struggles | Velivada

The life of a Dalit woman in Punjab is a true picture of the intersectional reality of caste, class and gender. Their experiences represent clear evidence of widespread exploitation, violence and indecent inhumane treatment.

Indian factory workers supplying major brands allege routine exploitation – BBC News

Indian workers in factories supplying the supermarket chains Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury's, and the fashion brand Ralph Lauren, told the BBC they are being subjected to exploitative conditions.

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.

Child marriage and child labour: Slavery is not dead in sugarcane (COUNTERVIEW.ORG)

In August 2020, Global March Against Child Labour released an evidence-based report, providing an overview of the situation of child labour with a gender lens in sugarcane harvesting in India. The report highlights that children are pushed into hazardous child labour due to structural poverty among harvesters, most of whom are from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, also referred to as DBA (Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi/Tribal) in this article, because of exploitative hiring practices resulting in debt bondage. It was found that traditional gender-based norms contributed significantly to child labour by normalising unequal wages and unpaid family work.

Despite 74 Years Of Independence, Dalit Lives Haven’t Improved Much: Amalapuram MP Chinta Anuradha (Feminism in India)

COVID-19: Women MPs On The frontline series - Dalit Member of Parliament Chinta Anuradha shares her views on the issues faced by Dalit communities