UN HRC 53 SIDE-EVENT: Addressing the Intersections between Caste and Gender-Based Violence in South Asia

IDSN is hosting a side-event at the 53rd UN Human Rights Council meeting on 5 July 2023, from 11-12 CET in Room XXV at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The event, entitled “Addressing the intersections between caste & gender-based violence in South Asia,” aims to shed light on the ongoing issues of caste-based sexual violence experienced by […]

|Categories: Bangladesh, Dalit Women, India, Nepal, Pakistan, United Nations, Violence and atrocities|Tags: |

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Pakistan UPR review: caste-related recommendations

The outcome report on the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Pakistan has been published and will be presented during the 53rd session held from 19 June to 14 July 2023. The outcomes of the review have implications for all marginalised communities in Pakistan, including the Dalits, who form a significant portion […]

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

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Progress in the fight to #EndCasteDiscrimination in the global South Asian diaspora

Over the past months the campaign to end caste discrimination in key South Asian diaspora communities has gathered momentum. Anti-caste groups and activists in the US, Canada, UK and Australia have carried out targeted advocacy and made significant progress towards the goal of ensuring protections and legal recourse for those experiencing caste discrimination in South Asian communities […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Diaspora, Human Rights Defenders, UK|Tags: |

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Bangladesh: Gathering momentum for inclusive anti-discrimination legislation

In a significant step towards fostering equality and social justice, the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) and Parittran recently organised a National Consultation Meeting on the Anti-Discrimination Bill-2022. Held in Dhaka, the event served as a platform for diverse stakeholders to provide feedback and recommendations on the proposed legislation. The meeting aimed to address the concerns and aspirations […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Bangladesh, Human Rights Defenders|Tags: |

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UN UPR Review: UN member states call on India to address caste discrimination

During the 4th cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review of India, the country received eight direct recommendations on caste, including topics such as racism, water, forced marriage and child labour. On November 10, 2022 India was reviewed by 193 UN member states through the UPR, a peer review mechanism. Under this mechanism, […]

|Categories: Caste-hate speech, Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations, Water and Sanitation|Tags: |

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IDSN Annual Report 2022-23

The IDSN Annual Report 2022-23 has just been released and is ready for download. The report 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. The report can be downloaded here: idsn.org/ar2022-23.

|Categories: European Union, United Nations|Tags: |

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The European Parliament calls for stepping up consultations with Dalit communities and the adoption of a policy addressing intersectional discrimination

The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) welcomes the adoption of the European Parliament’s annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2022 and the European Union’s policy on the matter. In addition to the calls by the European Parliament for the EU to adopt a  “policy on […]

|Categories: European Union|Tags: |

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Dalit voices heard at the UN Forum on Minority Issues

IDSN delegates from South Asia spoke out on the human rights issues faced by Dalits at the UN Forum on Minority Issues in December 2022. Speaking on the panel and from the floor, human rights defenders from India and Nepal shared their experience of discrimination and injustice and their thoughts on the way forward for their communities. […]

|Categories: Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, South Asia, United Nations|Tags: |

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Young Dalit leaders speak out at UN Business and Human Rights Forum

An IDSN delegation of inspiring young Dalit rights leaders participated in the the 11th session of the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. The Forum was created by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights as a means to facilitate dialogue between several stakeholders working for compliance with human rights norms by […]

|Categories: Business, Human Rights Defenders, India, Nepal, South Asia, United Nations|Tags: |

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A long awaited and hard-fought victory for us and a triumph for Dalit voices everywhere

Today is a day for celebration. Following a historic vote at the UN our big-little human rights solidarity network, IDSN, was finally granted UN consultative status after fighting 15 years for it. After having been repeatedly deferred due to silencing in the form of arbitrary questioning in the smaller UN NGO Committee – IDSN, alongside eight other […]

|Categories: United Nations|Tags: |

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