Press Release: India must show leadership in combating caste-based discrimination, says UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
During her first official visits to Nepal and India from 18-24 March, the High Commissioner for Human Rights delivered two historic speeches urging the Government of India to show global leadership in the fight against caste-based discrimination, and calling upon the Government of Nepal to apply existing laws to end such discriminatory practices.
Global Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits to be held in Bangkok on 21-24 March
The conference, involving around 100 representatives of church-related organisation from all over the world and members of affected communities, presents an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives to help meet the challenge of securing justice for Dalits. The event also serves to underscore the magnitude of the problem, which affects 260 million people worldwide.
Dalits voicing their rights in Bangladesh
The first Dalit National Human Rights Conference and the Universal Periodic Review sheds light on Dalit issues in Bangladesh.
Dalit issues to be included in the drafting of the new constitution in Nepal
On 23 February a joint statement entitled “Recasting Justice (2009): Securing Dalit Rights in Nepal’s New Constitution” with key recommendations to the chair of the drafting committee of Nepal’s new constitution, was presented by New York University School of Law Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ), Dalit NGO Federation (DNF) and the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN).
Pakistan promises to address caste-based discrimination in dialogue with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
On 19-20 February, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination considered the 15th-20th periodic reports of Pakistan on the implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Casteless or Caste-blind? Launch of study on caste-based discrimination in Sri Lanka in book form
“Casteless or Caste-blind?” was launched at a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, on the 6th of February. Early reports show that the study has already generated increased public interest in the issue.
