Five female anti-trafficking activists kidnapped and raped in India – EU responds
The statement from EU High Representative and Vice President of the EU Commission, Frederica Mogherini, came as a response to a question from the Member of the European Parliament. The MEP asked for details on how the EU can “strengthen its support and effectiveness in protecting human rights defenders in India, specifically through its delegation, the European Instrument for […]
The UK fails to ensure legal protection against caste discrimination
The decision, which the Government states is due to the ‘controversial nature’ of the issue, comes following many years of procedural delays in implementing a clause that would include caste under the remit of the UK Equalities Act. A parliamentary order in 2013 directed the Government to “amend this section [of the Equalities Act] so as to provide for […]
Regional conference on equal access to justice calls for action to end caste discrimination
There were national human rights practitioners and advocates from the region, key state champions and regional actors to highlight the state and national efforts to advance the rights of Dalit and marginalized communities. The practitioners shared their experiences, examples of how organizations and coalitions are implementing wide-ranging changes to advance justice, […]
EU High Representative asked to outline how the EU intends to support IDSN’s application for UN consultative status
The MEP’s question also states that,
“It is extremely troubling to learn that the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), an international NGO focusing on caste-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination based on work and descent, is now the longest pending application for UN Consultative Status accreditation. IDSN’s application has now been unjustly deferred by the UN NGO Committee for […]
Australian Parliament passes motion on caste-based discrimination
The motion was passed on 27th June 2018 and moved by Senators Claire Moore and Lee Rhiannon. It states that 260 million people across the globe are estimated to face discrimination based on descent and work– Dalits, Burakumin, Osu, Romani, Quilombo and other communities. They comprise a little less than 4% of the world’s population including 210 million Dalits […]
Women subjected to caste-based attacks in India call on the UN to act
UN human rights officials at the United Nations Human Rights Council side event #DalitWomenFight against Caste-based violence on June 21, 2018, called for immediate efforts to end rampant caste-based violence against women and address a culture of impunity when it comes to crimes against Dalit women, rendering legislation ineffective.
A panel of experts […]
Amnesty and HRW ask India to stop arresting Dalit rights activists on politically motivated grounds
Read the full press release from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch:
(New York) – Indian authorities should cease arrests of Dalit rights activists for their work, Amnesty International India and Human Rights Watch said today. The recent arrest and detention of five Dalit and Adivasi rights activists for alleged terrorism-related offenses appear to be politically motivated.
On June 6, 2018, […]
Joint NGO statement for meeting between the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs and accredited NGOs.
Please find the full statement below
Joint NGO statement for meeting between the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs and accredited NGOs
(Delivered 22 June 2018 – New York)
Thank you Mr. Chair
I am delivering this statement in the name of 258 NGOs. We welcome that the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs has convened this meeting with ECOSOC-accredited NGOs, […]
Invitation to the #DalitWomenFight side-event at the UN human rights council – 21 June
IDSN is supporting the side-event #DalitWomenFight against Caste-Based Violence taking place on 21 June in Geneva, in connection with the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The side-event will explore and discuss aggravated caste-based violence faced by women and girls in India, often with little recourse to justice. Dalit women activists will present witness accounts of […]
UN rights chief references the unjust 10-year deferral of IDSN’s application for UN accreditation in his annual report to the UN Human Rights council
IDSN has issued a factsheet covering all the details of IDSN’s case, including over 80 questions received from India over the past 10 years and statements of UN experts addressing IDSN’s case.
In 2017, a UN side-event was held in New York, where prominent speakers addressed the fact that the NGO committee was not fulfilling its mandate and […]