Question by MEP: Did the VP/HR express concern during the 14th Summit to the Indian representatives about the persistent discrimination against the Dalit community, and Dalit women in particular, urging India to take steps to put an end to all abuses against Dalits? 2. Does the VP/HR accept that progress in negotiating any future free trade agreement with India should be conditional on India taking steps to effectively tackle discrimination against Dalits? Answer given by Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the Commission
The EU-NGO Human Rights Forum took place in Brussels from 5-6 December with the participation of Dalit human rights defenders, who formed part of an IDSN delegation to the forum. The theme of the forum was “Human rights under threat: Exploring new approaches in a challenging global context.” Dalit defenders participated in discussions on how to move forward and how to ensure more action to fight caste discrimination, also at the EU level. Among recommendations to take forward were the need for the EU to ensure that caste discrimination is addressed in all bilateral dealings with caste-affected countries and for EU member states to raise the issue of caste-related human rights violations at the United Nations. Ankita, representing the Feminist Dalit Organisation – Nepal, also discussed the multiple discrimination faced by Dalit women in caste-affected countries and continued discrimination in Nepal.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Frederica Mogherini, responds to the letter from Members of the European Parliament regarding EU action to fight caste-based discrimination.
A cross-party group of prominent Members of the European Parliament has sent an open letter to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, calling on them to address caste discrimination directly at the October EU-India Summit.
The European Instrument for Democary and Human Rights has released a call for proposals where particularly LOT 1 - To Support Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) organisations working at grassroots level could be relevant for Dalit rights organisations to apply for.You will find all information necessary to apply in the Guidelines for Applicants. The deadline for Concept Note application is set on 1/10/2015.
On 16 June, IDSN was invited for an exchange with the EU Human Rights Working Group (COHOM) in the Council of the EU and the European External Action Service
The Annual Action Plan 2015 for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) has integrated the rights of persons affected by caste based discrimination as a cross-cutting concern. It makes specific mention of persons affected by caste discrimination in action documents on support to civil society, in its actions to support protection and promotion of human rights, human rights defenders, universities for human rights and democracy postgraduate education and in supporting key international actors – the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Key humanitarian actors including UNDP, ECHO, the Asian Disaster Reduction & Response Network, USAID and DFID gathered in New Delhi for the launch of the report “Equality in Aid – Addressing Caste Discrimination in Humanitarian Response” and the “Inclusive Vulnerability Mapping & Monitoring of Post Disaster Response” manual. Reuters published an article on the report and the report is also referenced in the January report of the UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues.
IDSN Appeal to the European Parliament, the Commission, the EEAS and the Council (IDSN, 2012, Recommendation)