Addressing Caste Discrimination in India’s Supply Chains: Insights from Ethical Trade Norway’s Seminar

In January 2025, Ethical Trade Norway convened a seminar titled “Responsible Trade with India – What Must You Know?” to explore the complexities of engaging with India’s vast and diverse market. The event underscored the critical importance of understanding caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits and Adivasis, within global supply chains. The Dalit Solidarity Network Norway also played […]

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OECD side-event addresses caste related labour exploitation in global garment and leather supply chains

On 14 February 2025, IDSN, Arisa and Homeworkers Worldwide hosted a side-session at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector. The discussion addressed the exploitation of Dalit workers in South Asia’s garment and leather industries that form part of global supply chains. The panel featured voices from the frontlines of labour rights, […]

|Categories: Business, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, India, Pakistan, South Asia, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Dalit leader urges action to address the situation of Dalit women at UN CEDAW Review of Nepal

On 3 February 2025, Durga Sob, founder of the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO) and a leading advocate for Dalit women’s rights, delivered a statement in connection with the 90th Session of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee’s review of Nepal. Representing both FEDO and IDSN, Ms. Sob highlighted the entrenched discrimination […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, Nepal, Political Participation, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Join us for a critical discussion on root causes of caste-based slavery and exploitation in South Asia and how to start tackling them!

📢 Side Event at the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector 🗓 Date & Time: 14 February 2025, 12:30–14:00 CET 📍 Online (Zoom) – Register now: https://lnkd.in/d6m272PU Why Attend? ✅ If you source textiles or leather from South Asia this session is essential to end forced, bonded and child labour and exploitation in your supply chains ✅ You will hear from speakers from the affected communities […]

|Categories: Business, India, Pakistan, South Asia, Uncategorized|Tags: |

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IDSN delegation participates in EU human rights event

On December 9, Swapon Das, of DALIT Khulna, Bangladesh and Rini Elizabath Babu, took part in the EU event in Brussels “A Spotlight on Human Rights Defenders: Enhancing the Common Agenda for Protection”. IDSN delegates spoke about caste discrimination […]

|Categories: Bangladesh, European Union, Human Rights Defenders, India|Tags: |

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IDSN delegation highlights caste related violations in global supply chains at the UN BHR Forum

An IDSN delegation actively participated in the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights from 25-27 November, drawing attention to caste-based human rights violations in global supply chains, affecting Dalit workers in South Asia. Delegates HariHaran Karrupusamy, from India’s Rights Education and Development Centre (READ) and Sundar Sheni, from Nepal’s Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO), represented IDSN throughout […]

|Categories: Business, India, Nepal, United Nations|Tags: |

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UN Minority Forum: Dalit activists call for action on caste-hate speech, political inclusion and intersectional discrimination

At the 2024 UN Forum on Minority Issues, IDSN delegates called for action on caste-based discrimination and exclusion. Sundar Bahadur Sheni from Nepal emphasised the need for Dalit inclusion in political and public spaces, highlighting the barriers faced by Dalit women. Hariharan Karuppusamy from India addressed the pervasive problem of caste-based hate speech on social media, calling […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, United Nations|Tags: |

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Dalit leader trains EU diplomats on caste-based discrimination

Abirami Jotheeswaran, General Secretary of All India Dalit Women Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM-NCDHR), delivered a compelling presentation to 20 European Union diplomats stationed in Asia and the Pacific, highlighting caste discrimination and its intersections with other forms of inequality and human rights violations. The session formed part of […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Women, European Union, Human Rights Defenders, India|Tags: |

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UN committee raises concern over persisting intersectional discrimination against Buraku women in Japan

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) raised concern over persisting discrimination and stereotypes against Buraku women at the 17 October review of Japan. The Committee’s Concluding Observations specifically identify, and make recommendations to address, the intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Burkau women, including by drafting a national policy.

|Categories: Dalit Women, Japan, United Nations|Tags: |

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UN Review of civil and political rights in India calls for action on caste discrimination

In July 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed India’s adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Committee expressed serious concerns about ongoing caste-based discrimination and violence, particularly targeting Dalits and Adivasis (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). This review, alongside a joint submission by IDSN and 12 other NGOs, underscores the […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Women, India, Political Participation, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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