The need for action on ensuring rights for Dalits in Bangladesh – highlighted at key events

The Dalit Women Conclave, on the 24th September, brought together Dalit leaders and activists from across Bangladesh and was organized by IDSN member the Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM). In her presentation at the Conclave, Pinky Rani of the Dalit Women’s Forum , highlighted the many disadvantages faced by Dalit women including […]

IDSN participation at the 48th session of the Human Rights Council

On the 30 September, during the Interactive Dialogue with the HRC Advisory Committee, Pradip Pariyar, from IDSN member organisation Samata Foundation, highlighted the need for the UN system to keep engaged in eradicating caste-based discrimination.  “The UN human rights system should be firmly engaged in eradicating caste-based discrimination, which affects nearly 260 million individuals worldwide. The sad persistence […]

IDSN condemns religious attacks on Dalits in Bangladesh

Read the statements: MRG condemns widespread attacks against Hindu minority in Bangladesh (Minority Rights Group) “Since 2013 the worsening political crisis, rising extremism, and the issue of impunity and lack of enforcement of legal provisions have contributed to escalating levels of violence against minorities” Bangladesh: Deadly Attacks on Hindu Festival (Human Rights Watch) “Four people died when police reportedly opened fire […]

Join IDSN for the preview screening of ‘I am Belmaya’ – a Dalit woman’s transformative journey in Nepal

Please join IDSN for an exclusive online preview of the upcoming, award-winning feature documentary I Am Belmaya, with live Q&A on Thurs 7 Oct with director Sue Carpenter and co-director/subject Belmaya Nepali, hosted by IDSN.

IDSN issues recommendations from the 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

IDSN has issued key recommendations to the UN member states for the 48th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (13 September – 8October 2021) . In connection with their participation in the HRC48 session, states are encouraged to consider the ongoing and systemic practice of discrimination based on work and descent, also known as caste-based discrimination, affecting more than 260 […]

The EU calls on the UN NGO Committee to end “unjust” 10 year deferral of IDSN’s application

In a European Union Statement delivered by Mr. Christophe Forax, First Counsellor, at the 75th United Nations General Assembly Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations 2021 Resumed Session, the EU called for ending the unjust deferrals of applications for UN ECOSOC status, naming five organisations, including the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) IDSN’s application for UN consultative status has been deferred […]

IDSN engages with the UN Human Rights Council 47th session on caste, women’s rights and the UPR of Nepal

IDSN issued recommendations to States, contributed to statements and observed and noted caste-relevant issues presented at the UN Human Rights Council 47th Session held in Geneva. IDSN International Associate, The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) facilitated the oral statement “Dalit women in India and the socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic” at the 47th session […]

The impact of the caste system in Nepal discussed at national-level webinar

Read the news in the FEDO E-bulletin Watch the video of the webinar https://fb.watch/98BVtjx6Ml/

‘Can justice be bought?’ seminar assesses Norway’s new Transparency Act and how stakeholders can address caste discrimination in supply chains.

The event was opened by Guro Almås, senior adviser in the Church Council / Interchurch Council, who addressed the possibilities for both national and international developments in business and human rights and stressed the importance of the Transparency Act, recently passed by the Norwegian parliament, which has been heralded as a ‘game changer’. Ms. Almås outlined how Norwegian companies […]

Addressing caste-hate speech in a global context: Brief and recommendations for UN and EU actors

Download the full brief and recommendations here >> The brief is based on the report Caste-hate speech: Addressing hate-speech based on work and descent published by IDSN in March 2021.