In July 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Committee reviewed India’s adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Committee expressed serious concerns about ongoing caste-based discrimination and violence, particularly targeting Dalits and Adivasis (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes). This review, alongside a joint submission by IDSN and 12 other NGOs, underscores the need for urgent action.
The Committee highlighted alarming incidents of lynching, mob violence and forced displacement of Dalits and Adivasis. Experts pointed to disparities between the high reporting of crimes against these marginalised groups and low conviction rates.
The Committee recommended that India introduce laws to combat caste discrimination in all spheres of life, implement public campaigns and train law enforcement, judiciary and community leaders to promote respect for diversity and ICCPR principles and address the culture of impunity surrounding caste-based crimes.
In the Concluding Observations, the Committee furthermore raised concern over the non-extension of scheduled caste status and reservation benefits for Dalits who have converted to Islam or Christianity and the lack of enforcement of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
Together with 12 other NGOs IDSN submitted a joint report to the Committee ahead of the review. The report, among other issues, addresses the intersection of human rights violations and caste discrimination.
The report highlights that Dalit women face disproportionately high rates of sexual violence compounded by caste-based barriers in accessing justice, including discriminatory practices by police and medical professionals.
Mob violence targeting Dalits, often under the guise of “cow protection,” is rising, enabled by state complicity or inaction. Enforcement of protective laws remains weak, with delays in trials, limited oversight and underfunded institutions.
The report also calls for extending SC/ST protections to Dalits of all religions, strengthening enforcement mechanisms and creating independent oversight bodies to address caste violence. It urges ratification of the Convention Against Torture and enacting robust anti-discrimination laws. Urgent reforms are needed to uphold Dalit rights and ensure compliance with ICCPR obligations.
The 2024 ICCPR review offers an opportunity for India to reaffirm its commitment to human rights and commitment to eliminating caste discrimination, which is at the root of many human rights violations in the country. IDSN hopes to see swift action to address the ICCPR violations.
Read the joint NGO submission here
Read the Concluding observations from the Committee here