Surge in atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis under COVID-19 lockdown in India reported

Please find the documented cases and interventions by NDMJ here >> and the collection of media reports collated by NDMJ here >> Below please read the full press release from NDMJ on this: Press Statement by National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ-NCDHR) – 10 June 2020 At a time when communities around the world are experiencing severe health and economic issues […]

|Categories: Health, Human Rights Defenders, India, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Statement by the EU delegation and member states on killings in Nepal

A joint statement by the EU Delegation and EU Member States represented in Kathmandu was issued on 3 June deploring the tragic loss of life in Rukum, condemning violence based on caste and other grounds and expressing the EU’s support to efforts undertaken to conduct a fair investigation leading to action to ensure justice and reparations for the […]

|Categories: European Union|Tags: |

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In solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter

IDSN strongly condemns the murder of George Floyd. Our hearts go out to his loved ones and the loved ones of all those killed because of systemic inequality, racism and discrimination every day across the globe. We stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement in the fight for justice and a world free of racism and discrimination.

|Categories: Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Nepal: Bachelet condemns Dalit killings, calls for independent investigation

See the statement below from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet:   Nepal: Bachelet condemns Dalit killings, calls for independent investigation   GENEVA (29 May 2020) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed shock Friday at the killing of five men by opponents of an inter-caste relationship in Nepal […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Bangladesh, Human Rights Defenders, India, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, Sri Lanka, UK, United Nations, Violence and atrocities, Yemen|Tags: |

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Dalit rights defenders demand justice in killings over inter-caste love in Nepal

IDSN members and affiliates in Nepal are raising awareness and demanding justice in a case of caste-based murder in the country that is still under Covid-19 lockdown. What started as a love story between two young people in Nepal ended in tragedy. The young man was a low caste Dalit and the woman was from a dominant caste group. It […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Nepal, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Call to action to respond to the suspension of fundamental labour rights in India

IDSN fully endorses the Call to action on Labour Law changes in India, issued by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The statement calls on businesses sourcing in India to respond to the news that several Indian states will suspend key fundamental labour rights for a period of up to three years, under the cover of the Covid-19 crisis. […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Business, Caste-based slavery, India, South Asia|Tags: |

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IDSN members and associates support Dalits affected by the impact of Covid-19

IDSN members in South Asia and international associates have been quick to offer immediate response and assistance, as the ramifications for Dalits of Covid-19 measures have become clear. While IDSN has issued two general statements on the situation for Dalits, below you will find a collection of publicly available information, appeals and initiatives from our members and associates. South […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Caste-based slavery, Health, Health, Human Rights Defenders, Humanitarian Aid, India, Living conditions, Nepal, Political Participation, South Asia, Water and Sanitation|Tags: |

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New EU due diligence legislation will help Dalits in supply chains

The EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, has announced that the EU Commission will introduce a legislative initiative next year on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for EU based companies. If this legislation is introduced, EU companies can be held responsible for human rights violations in their supply chains.  This is […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Business, Caste-based slavery, Dalit Children, Dalit Women, European Union|Tags: |

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Vulnerable workers in supply chains need urgent protection to survive impact of Covid-19

IDSN Statement – We strongly urge governments and companies with supply chains in South Asia, to take measures to urgently protect migrant and informal workers, including Dalits, against a loss of income, social benefits, shelter and a means to feed themselves and their families, as Covid-19 measures and repercussions threaten their lives and livelihoods. These workers often have no […]

|Categories: Bangladesh, Caste-based slavery, Health, Human Rights Defenders, Humanitarian Aid, India, Living conditions, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia, Sri Lanka, United Nations|Tags: |

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Saving lives by preventing discrimination in COVID-19 relief

IDSN Statement – 27 March 2020 As COVID-19 sweeps across the world it is crucial that we ensure that relief, health services and awareness raising efforts are inclusive and accessible to all irrespective of caste, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or other factors. While time is of the essence in the response to COVID-19, taking a moment to ensure […]

|Categories: Bangladesh, Health, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Asia|Tags: |

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