The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has made its first statement on caste-based discrimination against Osu people in Nigeria to the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, meeting in Banjul, The Gambia.

In the statement Mr. Leo Igwe, from the Nigerian Humanist Movement drew the attention of the Commission to the plight of lower caste persons in Nigeria, stating that lower caste people, called Osu, are treated as inferior and untouchable human beings that can defile higher caste individuals simply by their presence.

Mr. Igwe said that caste discrimination is an unjust and pernicious system that is incompatible with the provisions in the African Charter. IHEU called on the African Commission to adopt a resolution condemning caste based discrimination and to urge Nigeria and other states to take measures to eradicate all forms of discrimination against lower caste people.

Read the full speech on IHEU's website here

IHEU is also organising a World Conference on Untouchability in London on 9-10 June 2009 bringing together activists and experts from around the world to explore a problem that afflicts nearly 250 million people globally.