Urgent Appeal for Action – Death threats and withdrawal of police protection for a Dalit human rights activist

The appeal directed to the National Human Rights Commission of India states that false cases have been filed against Mr. Kalsan and that he is receiving death threats on account of his work defending the rights of Dalits in the State. “Currently Mr. Rajat and his family are facing serious threats to life and liberty and it is alleged that […]

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

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Dalit activists in Nepal take part in IDSN workshop on UN and EU advocacy

The workshop included an overview of the EU and its institutions by IDSN EU Adviser, Claire Ivers, specifically the different roles of the European Council, Council of the EU, European External Action Service (EEAS), European Commission, and European Parliament. EU Human rights policy was also explored along with what avenues are available for advocacy and lobbying most suited to […]

|Categories: European Union, Nepal, Political Participation, United Nations|Tags: |

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MEPs call on EU Presidents to address caste discrimination at the EU-India summit

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 letter describes a deep concern […]

|Categories: European Union, India|Tags: |

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Indian Government responds to UN rights review – accepts key recommendations on caste but not on ensuring space for civil society

Fifteen states made interventions with explicit recognition of the challenges faced by Dalits, at the United Nations human rights review (UPR) of India, which took place in May. Responding to the review in September 2017, the Indian Government has accepted nine of the recommendations concerning caste-based discrimination. However, the Government did not accept any of the recommendations related to […]

|Categories: Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations|Tags: |

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Campaign and new report highlight caste discrimination in schools

The campaign raises awareness across India of the serious obstacles to education encountered by Dalit and Adivasi students and issues key recommendations for change. In connection with the campaign public hearings and consultations took place across India, where students, parents and teachers could voice their experiences, difficulties and challenges in the education system. A study on discrimination in education […]

|Categories: Dalit Children, Education, India|Tags: |

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IDSN recommendations for the UN rights review of Pakistan

The UN will review the human rights situation of Pakistan on 13th November 2017. Ahead of this review IDSN and the Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network (PDSN) have released a factsheet containing key recommendations, prepared on the basis of IDSN and PDSN’s  joint UPR submission submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The factsheet provides more […]

|Categories: Pakistan, United Nations|Tags: |

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IDSN recommendations for the UN Human Rights Council September session

Read the full IDSN HRC36 recommendations here:

|Categories: Access to justice, Living conditions, United Nations|Tags: |

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Dalit flood victims need food, water and medicine

Nepal, Bangladesh and India have experienced severe flooding over the past weeks and many Dalit communities are hard hit. In this article we will share some of the reports we have received from members in Nepal. We will be following up on this once more reports have come in from the rest of the region. While monsoon flooding in Nepal […]

|Categories: Humanitarian Aid, Nepal|Tags: |

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Rights defenders: legislation meant to stop caste atrocities is failing

Dalit and Adivasi Civil Society Organisations, Human Rights Defenders from across India met in New Delhi to discuss the status of implementation of India’s legislation to prevent atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis. There was widespread dissatisfaction among participants that key elements of the legislation were not being implemented, and a call was made asking for action to be taken […]

|Categories: Access to justice, India|Tags: |

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UK caste consultation extended after pressure from human rights defenders

The UK’s Indian Diaspora community are going head to head as the Government’s consultation on caste discrimination legislation is extended. In several media reports groups that are pro and anti the introduction of legislation against caste discrimination in the UK, are arguing about the impact of such a move. IDSN member the Dalit Solidarity Network – UK (DSN-UK) has […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Diaspora, UK|Tags: |

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