UN: Call for action-oriented approach to tackle caste discrimination
Joining a number of Dalit activists, the Independent Expert on minority issues called on governments, UN agencies, and civil society to advance the global struggle against caste discrimination at a meeting held during the 16th session of the Human Rights Council on 16 March. Speakers from six caste-affected countries discussed the key challenges to eliminate this form of discrimination and urged governments to implement international obligations and apply existing frameworks. A UN representative gave examples of practical strategies to combat caste discrimination in Nepal.
Members of the European Parliament speak out against caste discrimination
Following February’s European Parliament hearing on caste discrimination a hard hitting opinion piece on caste discrimination by MEP Peter van Dalen was yesterday published in New Europe and several other MEPs have taken up the issue on their website and in press releases.
Nepal Government must implement measures to combat caste discrimination say The UN OHCHR, AHRC and Dalit organisations
On the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) and the National Dalit Commission (NDC) alongside the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Jagaran Media Center (JMC), have released statements urging the Nepal Government to live up to its commitments and do more to end caste discrimination in the country.
India’s National Budget: Dalits again denied funds that should have been allocated to them
In the new National Budget of India, presented last week, only 4% of the total budget has been allocated to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SC/STs)- Dalits and Tribals - who make up more than 24% of the total population.
Bangladesh: NHRC Chairman urges Government to protect the human rights of Dalits
The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh, Mr Mizanur Rahman, urged the Government to be more generous in protecting the rights of Dalits at a press conference jointly organised by the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) and the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).
MEPs: The EU must act now to help end one of the biggest human rights issues in the world
PRESS RELEASE: Brussels, March 1, 2011 (IDSN) --- MEPs stated that EU action must be taken to help end caste discrimination, affecting 260 million people worldwide. The statements came during a hearing on caste discrimination in South Asia, at the European Parliament Monday afternoon. This was also the message delivered by Dalit rights advocators at the hearing, who informed MEPs that concerted action to combat caste discrimination through EU development work, trade agreements and political dialogues, must be taken if development goals in caste-affected countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, are to be achieved and human rights respected.
Read the IDSN February newsletter
The latest IDSN newsletter once again underlines that caste discrimination is a serious international human rights issue.
IDSN Annual Report 2010
The IDSN 2010 Annual Report is now published and ready for download.
UN report with strong Dalit focus
A new report from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the activities of her office in Nepal contains numerous references to Dalits and caste discrimination.
UPR: Many caste references in Nepal review
More than 20 states referred to caste discrimination in their interventions during the Universal Periodic Review of Nepal. The Nepali government has expressed its support for a number of the recommendations made on 25 January in Geneva.