Report: Over 50% of child labourers in cottonseed farms in India are Dalits or Adivasis
A new report published by the human rights NGO Arisa has found that children under 14 years account for over 18% of the workforce in the cottonseed farms surveyed, with over 50% of the child labourers in the sector being Dalits or Adivasis. The majority of the child labourers were not attending school.
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]