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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IDSN Annual Report 2019

The IDSN Annual Report 2019-2020 covers key developments and activities within IDSN’s work under the thematic areas Dalit women and gender justice, business and human rights and equality and participation, within the United Nations, European Union, and communications and networking programmes. The highlights of the report include: IDSN supports UN side-event […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Business, Dalit Women, European Union, Human Rights Defenders, Political Participation, South Asia, United Nations|Tags: |

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UN women’s committee raises concern over intersecting caste, religious and gender discrimination in Pakistan

The Committee’s observations are the result of an interactive process with NGOs and the state party where IDSN has also submitted a report detailing the challenges faced by Dalit women and girls in Pakistan. The report highlighted forced conversions and abductions of Dalit girls and women, modern slavery in for example […]

|Categories: Dalit Children, Dalit Women, Pakistan, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Report outlines recommendations for action on caste and gender justice in Nepal

A comprehensive report on the status of Dalit women in Nepal has been released by IDSN member the Feminist Dalit Organization Nepal (FEDO) with support from IDSN and Womankind. The report details the situation, challenges and recommendations within poverty, education, health, safety, political participation, Dalit women in the media and Dalit girl children in Nepal. It is clear from […]

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

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Consultation: Action on caste discrimination is crucial for meeting the Global Goals

The National Consultation “Localizing SDGs through Dalit perspectives” drew together over eighty delegates from 15 states in India, to discuss ways forward to address caste and gender discrimination vis a vis the UN Global Goals. The consultation took place in New Delhi on 28th of January. IDSN participated in the consultation, organised by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights […]

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

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Indian budget fails to deliver on allocations for the welfare of Dalits

The analysis highlights include: There is a continuing denial of Scheduled Castes (Dalits) & Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis) allocation thereby violating Government’s own norms set by the Niti Aayog There is a total Gap in allocation of Rs 1,22,998 Cr under SC budget and Rs 57,606 Cr. under ST Budget. Out of […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Women, Education, India, Living conditions, Violence and atrocities, Water and Sanitation|Tags: |

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