Nepali Dalits are given a helping hand in the Government’s new budget
The new Nepali Government budget proposal presents bold new provisions to fight caste-discrimination in Nepal, including financial assistance for stigmatized inter-caste couples.
Stand up and be counted
When Pakistan conducts its upcoming National Census, Pakistani low-caste or sub-caste members are strongly urged to register themselves as Dalits rather than Hindus. For while they may be considered ‘untouchable’, they must not also be made invisible, when the population is counted and divided into categories that will determine what reservations, development initiatives and means of political participation will be made available to them.
Supreme Court ruling brings India a step closer to ending manual scavenging
The campaign to end manual scavenging by the 2010 Commonwealth Games just got a push from a recent Supreme Court Decision, holding Government appointed District Collectors responsible for not eradicating the demeaning and hazardous practice.
The European Commission takes up the fight against caste discrimination
The European Commission conducted a 3 day regional workshop on Indigenous People, Minorities and Dalits in Dhaka, 15-17 June, 2009.
International Church Anti Racism Conference calls for action against caste discrimination
The international conference, “Churches against Racism”, delivered a strong message stating that they called for action with and on behalf of the marginalized, the poor and those facing exclusion.
Upcoming Event: The experience of the Indian Election ´09 – National Consultation on the Right of Franchise of Dalits to be held on June 25-26th
The Indian Elections, which ended in May, were conducted amidst reports of discrimination against Dalits trying to vote. The National Dalit Election Watch(NDEW), an initiative launched by the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), has monitored selected polling stations nationwide and has registered complaints associated with discrimination against Dalits. Read more about the election […]
Stay updated with the IDSN June newsletter
Read the IDSN June newsletter here with all the latest news on caste-based discrimination from the IDSN network.
Final report on discrimination based on work and descent finally published by the UN
After almost two years of delay, the final report on discrimination based on work and descent containing a set of draft principles and guidelines has finally been published as an official UN document. This is an important milestone in gaining international recognition for caste-based discrimination, one of the biggest, yet most overlooked human rights problems globally.
IDSN recommendations on caste discrimination and Dalit women to the Human Rights Council
When the Human Rights Council meet for the 11th time between 2-18 June, IDSN recommends that the issue of caste discrimination be addressed, in particular the human rights situation of Dalit women. Members of the Council are also urged to acknowledge the positive role played by the High Commissioner on Human Rights during her recent visits to two caste-affected countries, Nepal and India.
Indian elections: More of the same – or is India ready to change?
The discrimination and abuse against the 200 million Dalits in India, which prevented many Dalits from exercising their right to vote in the election process, will continue to be one of the major challenges that the ruling Congress Party will face as election fever settles.