Nepal urged to address constitutional gaps
A new report provides Nepal’s Constituent Assembly (CA) with a clear roadmap for ensuring the rights of all Nepalese people, including the country’s sizeable Dalit population.
HRW praises Nepal’s support for caste guidelines
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has given due credit to the Government of Nepal for its endorsement of the draft UN principles and guidelines to eliminate caste discrimination. India, on the other hand, is criticised.
’Untouchability’ still rife in modern India
A ground-breaking study on caste discrimination in the Indian state of Gujarat shows that the practice of ‘untouchability’ is still prevalent. The report also makes clear that the Indian legal system is failing to address the issue.
Caste systems obstruct South Asian education
A new UN report finds that India is still home to the world’s largest illiterate population. The report states that caste systems in South Asia have a negative effect on education opportunities.
Homeless suffer in India’s freezing winter
A cold spell in the north of India has cost hundreds of lives among homeless people. A significant number are believed to be Dalits.
Dutch poll: Government and private sector should tackle caste discrimination
A new opinion poll shows an increase in awareness of caste discrimination as a serious human rights issue among the population of the Netherlands.
A Dalit view on climate change
Three Dalit women from Andhra Pradesh took part in a protest outside the conference area of the UN climate talks by ceremonially burning their conference badges. They felt that their voices had not been heard in the COP15 process.
UN experts visit Dalits in Bangladesh
Two Independent Experts - on water and sanitation and on human rights and extreme poverty - expressed serious concern about the human rights situation of Dalits during their visit to Bangladesh earlier this month.
Pillay refers to caste on Human Rights Day
In her Human Rights Day statement, UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay mentioned “members of particular castes” as a group that faces discrimination.
Call to action as Nepal’s Dalits rally
Nepal urged to end caste discrimination by enshrining human rights in its new constitution. Thousand of Dalits demonstrate in the country’s capital.