Other Developments
The Situation of Dalits in
Bangladesh - Full Report and Summary from Consultative Meeting
(30-1-2007)
On 18 October 2006, more than 70 representatives from civil
society organisations came together to discuss the situation of
Dalits in Bangladesh and possible ways forward to tackle the
forms of discrimination encountered by Dalits. The meeting was
facilitated by the Bangladesh Dalits' Human Rights (BDHR) in
association with IDSN. Links to the full report and summary can
be found on the links below:
Read the Full Report
Read the Summary
UN's CEDAW Committee raises concern over lack of justice for
Dalit women
(18-1-2007)
During the examination of the state report by India, among
other issues several members of the Committee raised concerns
relating to the access to justice for Dalit women, and their low
social and economic status. Forced to scavenge and displaced
from their land, it was not just a question of “sensitizing”
Dalit and other vulnerable women about their rights, but of
removing the facilities that dehumanized them, one member
pointed out. Likewise the widespread impunity for violence
against Dalit women were raised as an issue to be urgently
addressed by the Indian Government.
Read more
Indian Prime Minister compares caste discrimination to
Apartheid (2-1-2007)
Addressing the Dalit-Minority International Conference in
Delhi on December 27, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke on the
necessity of taking special measures address inequalities and
ensure inclusion of marginalised minorities. He stressed that
the discrimination in the form of untouchability practises faced
by Dalits in India is different from other forms of
discrimination. "The only parallel to the practice of
“untouchability” was Apartheid in South Africa. Untouchability
is not just social discrimination. It is a blot on humanity, "
said Dr. Singh.
His speech stressed that provisions had been made already in
the Indian constitution, and that various measures had since
been adopted to address inequalities that still exist today, but
that a change of mindset is necessary. Dr. Singh called for a "wider,
broad-based social, political and cultural movement against all
forms of discrimination and injustice prevalent in our society".
See the official press release and the
full text of the speech.
See also
Prime Minister Singh's address at the 10th Inter State
Council, in which he talks of atrocities against Dalits and
the need for political will to eliminate atrocities and enforce
the existing laws against untouchability.
European Parliament: India must get rid of caste
discrimination (20-12-2006)
On 19 December 2006, a resolution was
adopted by the Committee on Development of the European
Parliament urging the Government of India to stop the violence
against Dalits (formerly called ‘Untouchables’) and the
widespread practices of untouchability. The Committee expressed
its concern about the recurring refusal by the police to
register and pursue cases of crimes committed against Dalits and
the dismally low number of convictions of perpetrators for
crimes against Dalits.
“The result is a vicious cycle of continued violence and denial
of constitutional rights for Dalits”, says Paul Divakar from the
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights – India at a public
hearing in the Committee on the situation of Dalits in India
held on 18th of December. Responding to the evidence presented
by Paul Divakar and Ruth Manorama of the National Federation of
Dalit Women, members of various political parties expressed
their dismay about the shocking lack of implementation of laws
supposed to protect the human rights of Dalits.
Following the hearing a resolution was adopted by the
Development Committee by consensus. The resolution calls on the
European Commission and the European Council to:
-
Raise the issue of caste discrimination
during EU-India Summits and in other dialogues between EU
and India, including on human rights and trade
-
Include specific measures in EU
development cooperation with India in order to close the
wide gap between Dalits and the rest of the population
regarding the attainment of the millenium development goals
-
Give priority to the promotion of equal
opportunities for Dalits in private EU based companies and
encourage companies to implement the
Ambedkar Principles against caste discrimination in
employment
Read the full text of the resolution
Read the full press release
Click here to access the
website of the European Parliament with summary of the
hearing and the presentations made by Ruth Manorama and Paul
Divakar
Nepalese Dalit Women at UK Parliament
(8-12-2006)
On Tuesday 28 November at an historic meeting in
the House of Commons, London, Nepalese
Dalit Manju Badi, from an ‘untouchable’ caste
branded as prostitutes, gave first hand testimony on
the extent and depth of the violence and
discrimination Dalit women face in everyday Nepalese
life. At the adjournment debate, the House heard of
how Dalit women are forced into child marriage, are
blamed for bad luck, have been forced to eat human
faeces and that they suffer exploitation and
violence from ‘higher caste’ men outside their
communities as well as domestic violence in their
own homes. Dalit children are consistently excluded
from school and the community has little or no
recourse to social justice.
The Dalit Women highlighted the action that all
Nepalese Dalit women are taking daily to change
their own and the lives of their communities, to
secure a life free of discrimination in Nepal.
They call upon the Nepalese government to end caste
and gender discrimination in all spheres of public
and private life and to ensure that comprehensive
laws to protect their rights are fully implemented
and impunity against violence and discrimination is
stopped – now.
Read the full press release
Dalit women from South Asia are determined to
‘’transform their pain into power’’
That was the main message of the two day
international conference held in The Hague on the
20th and 21st of November 2006. It was the first
international conference to discuss the issues of
discrimination and violence against more than 100
million Dalit women. In ‘’The Hague Declaration on
the Human Rights and Dignity of Dalit women’’ the
participants urged the governments of Nepal, India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well as the
international community to support their struggle.
In the City Hall of The Hague
Dalit women presented shocking and heart-breaking
testimonials about the violence perpetrated against
them and the impunity which followed. Authors of the
study “Dalit women Speak Out - Violence against
Dalit women in India” presented their findings of
a three-year comprehensive study on forms,
magnitude and the systematic pattern of
violence which is accompanied by equally systematic
patterns of impunity. The study revealed that only
one percent of perpetrators are convicted in courts.
Physical and sexual violence
against Dalit women is not only systemic, but also
affects the majority of Dalit women. The study
documents how rape, murder, physical assault and
humiliation of Dalit women are intentionally used to
maintain the oppression of the Dalit community by
the dominant castes. Impunity is the key problem
that Dalit women face today when they try to seek
justice after violence is perpetrated against them.
As stated in the Hague Declaration: “Perpetrators
enjoy virtual immunity from prosecution as the
police, who often harbour caste prejudices, wilfully
neglect to enforce the law”.
Read the press release
Read The Hague Declaration on the Human Rights and
Dignity of Dalit Women
Overview of the Study on Violence against Dalit
Women
Alternative Nobel Price
to Dalit women's rights activist
(28-09-2006)
Ruth Manorama of the National Federation of Dalit
Women and Women’s Voice is one of the three
recipients of the 2006 Right Livelihood Award,
widely known as the ´alternative Nobel Price´.
Manorama received the award "for her commitment over
decades to achieving equality for Dalit women,
building effective and committed women's
organisations and working for their rights at
national and international levels. ”
The other two recipients are Daniel Ellsberg,
USA, and the Festival Internacional de Poesia de
Medelin, Columbia. The Honorary Award goes to Chico
Whitaker Ferreira, Brazil.
The idea of 'right livelihood' embodies the
principle that each person should follow an honest
occupation which fully respects other people and the
natural world. It means being responsible for the
consequences of our actions and taking only a fair
share of the earth's resources. In every generation,
there are groups of people and individuals around
the globe who valiantly uphold these principles of
right livelihood. The Right Livelihood Award was
established in 1980 to honour and support such
people.
The award presentation ceremony will be held in
the Swedish Parliament on December 8th.
To read the press release of the National
Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR),
click here
Resolution 2006/14 on 'Discrimination
based on Work and Descent' adopted by UN
Sub-Commission (18-09-2006)
On 24 August, the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights adopted a resolution
concerning discrimination based on work and descent.
The resolution was adopted without a vote and
requests the two appointed Special Rapporteurs to
complete their study on discrimination based on work
and descent, and finalise draft principles and
guidelines for the effective elimination of this
form of discrimination.
The draft report from the 58th session of the
Sub-Commission and resolution 2006/14 (on page 58-60
in the draft report) can be accessed on the
following links:
Resolution 2006/14
Link to the Sub-Commission Draft Report
Link to the progress report of the Special
Rapporteurs
Hindu Extremists attack Dalits
entering temple in Nepal (18-09-2006)
On 17 September, Jagaran
Media Center released a news article concerning the
violent attack against some Dalits who entered the local
Saileswori Temple of Dipayal, Silgadhi in Nepal. Just
after the Dalits had entered the temple, Hindu
Extremists protested this move and started attacking
them. As a result, almost 60 Dalits have been injured
and 2 are in a serious condition.
Read the full
article
Untouchability is still widely
practised in India (12-09-2006)
A
new publication 'Untouchability in Rural India' contains
systematic evidence of the incidence and extent of the
practice of untouchability in contemporary India. It is
based on the results of a very large survey covering 560
villages in 11 states, which found that untouchability
continues to be widely prevalent and is practiced in one
form or another in almost 80 percent of the villages.
The field data is supplemented by information about
associated forms of discrimination which Dalits face in
their daily lives, such as:
- The ‘unclean’ occupations open to them
- The double burden of Dalit women, who suffer
both gender and caste discrimination
- The upper-caste violence with which any Dalit
self-assertion is met
Furthermore, the book deals with Dalit efforts to
overcome deeply entrenched caste hierarchies and to
assert their right to live with dignity. While the
evidence presented in this book suggests that the more
blatant and extreme forms of untouchability appear to
have declined, discrimination continues and is most
prevalent in the religious and personal spheres. The
authors show that the notion of untouchability continues
to pervade the public sphere, including in a host of
state institutions and the interactions that occur
within them.
The authors are five leading academics in this field:
Ghanshyam Shan: Netherlands Institute for
Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social
Sciences, Wassenaa
Harsh Mander:
Centre for Equity Studies,
Delhi
Sukhadeo Thorat: University Grants
Commission, Delhi
Satish Deshpande: Institute of Economic Growth,
Delhi
Amita Baviskar
Associate Professor, Institute for Economic Growth,
Delhi
To order this book in North and South America visit
www.sagepub.com and in UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle
East visit
www.sagepub.co.uk
CERD concerned over descent-based discrimination in Yemen
(21-08-2006)
In its concluding observations on the fifteenth
and sixteenth periodic reports of Yemen, the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination expresses its concern over the
situation of the population group known as the Al-Akhdam, who faces
discrimination on the basis of work and descent. The Committee
specifically mentions the lack of recognition of this group in their
report, and the barrierers that exist for the Al-Akhdam to
effectively exercise their right to own property, and request the
State party to provide further information thereon to the Committee.
Responding to information on the systematic and
widespread discrimination faced by the Al-Akhdam, the Committee
furthermore recommends that Yemen develop and implement a national
strategy "in order to eliminate discrimination against members of
marginalized and vulnerable descent-based groups. In particular, the
Committee recommends that the State party develop legislation and
practice prohibiting all discriminatory practices based on descent
in employment, housing and so as to ensure equal access to health
care and social security services for members of affected
communities, in particular the Al-Akhdam."
Download the concluding observations on Yemen and other
documents relating to the examination of Yemen's report on the
OHCHR website.
Press
release by IDSN and Alternative World
Draft
Memorandum for Dalit Rights in the Interim Constitution of Nepal
(17-06-2006)
In the wake of the democratic struggle for peace
in Nepal, the exercise for drafting a new Constitution for Nepal is
in its initial phase. In this context, NCDHR and leaders of
different Dalit Organisations in Nepal participated in a
consultation which was held in New Delhi from 12-14 July 2006 to
include various aspects of the Dalit situation in Nepal.
The three-day consultation yielded
a Draft Memorandum, which will be further debated and fine-tuned in
Nepal by different Dalit organisations. Once the wider consultation
is over, the Memorandum containing different aspects of Dalit Rights
will be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee in Nepal.
NGO report on caste-like discrimination against "Al-Akhdam"
people in Yemen, 69th CERD session
(12-07-2006)
The International Dalit Solidarity Network has
submitted an Alternative Report to the Committee on the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in association with Alternative
World/Partnership for Equitable Development and Social Justice for
the review of Yemen during the 69th CERD session. This report and
the credible testimonies exhibited in the report suggest that the
systematic discrimination against the “Al-Akhdam” people is very much a practiced social reality in contemporary Yemeni society. One
of the findings is that the form of discrimination against
“Al-Akhdam” resembles the caste-like practises of “untouchability”
and extreme social exclusion. It is most likely the first of its
kind to document the atrocities committed against this non-Arab
minority in Yemen to CERD.
The comprehensive report has been prepared by
Huda Seif and her research assistant Ms. Shivangi Avasthi.
When the CERD country review takes place in Geneva on 3-4 August,
the two researchers will be present to monitor the session and make
oral interventions at a lunchtime briefing in cooperation with IDSN.
The NGO report can be found on
OHCHR's website, along with other documents relating to the
review (state report, list of issues and eventually the concluding
observations).
Download the report here
Indians living in the UK face caste discrimination
(11-07-2006)
On July 4, Dalit Solidarity Network - UK, released a research report
on the situation of Dalits living in the UK. The report, No Escape -
Caste Discrimination in the UK, reveals that the caste system is
very much in operation in the UK. Some 85 per cent felt people of
Indian descent living in the UK actively practise and participate in
the caste system, with 80 per cent saying caste divided people.
The report documents that Dalits in the UK face discrimination in
employment, education and religious institutions, particularly in
relation to access to temples. The research has been carried out as
part of DSN’s ongoing work in raising the issue of caste
discrimination with the Commission for Racial Equality, the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office in the UK.
Revd David Haslam, chair of DSN UK, said: ‘This initial research
clearly shows there is no escape from discrimination by caste
among the Indian community in the UK. It appears there is
considerable denial from all quarters, and it is long past time
the Commission for Racial Equality, Home Office and other UK
authorities addressed caste as seriously as any other type of
discrimination.’
Link
to the report
Indian Universities to offer courses on social exclusion
(18-05-2006)
Reacting to the
current debate on quotas and reservations for OBCs (Other Backward
Castes) in India, sparked off by the Government's proposal to
reserve almost 50% of seats in universities and colleges to
lower-caste and other disadvantaged groups, the Universities Grants
Commission (UCG) has stepped in to ensure more research and academic
studies on social exclusion and policies of inclusion, including on
reservation and quota policies.
According to NDTV,
the USG Chairman, Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat said: "Now only JNU and
Jamia offer programmes in this subject. But there should be
full-fledged centres with infrastructure and faculty."
Read
the full article
The 2005 Annual Report of IDSN (10-05-2006)
Download
our annual report here
Nepal Dalits demand inclusive democracy
(05-05-2006)
In connection with the first meeting of the re-instated Parliament,
the Dalit NGO Federation of Nepal issued an appeal to the Seven Party
Alliance to ensure a truely inclusive process for reconstruction of a
democratic state in Nepal by involving Dalits and other marginalised
groups.
[Read the
full text of the appeal]
Major study on
the effects of the Tsunami among Dalits in Tamil Nadu
Three organisations have carried out a
comprehensive study titled 'Tsunami - the Hit and the Affected'.
[more]
OHCHR
invites responses on caste-based discrimination
On April 19, 2005 the United Nation’s Commission on Human
Rights adopted a resolution mandating two
Sub-Commission members, Prof. Y. Yokota and
Prof. C. Chung, to conduct a comprehensive study
on discrimination based on work and descent and
to prepare a draft set of principles and
guidelines for the effective elimination of this
form of discrimination. This process involves a
request for contributions from Governments,
National Human Rights Institutions, UN bodies
and specialised agencies, UN special procedures,
and NGOs. IDSN strongly encourage all relevant
bodies in the mentioned categories to respond to
the questionnaires in order to secure the best
possible basis for the two rapporteurs to
continue their vital work. [more]
The UK Government affirms commitment to fighting caste discrimination
During the first formal debate on caste
discrimination held on 22nd of November, Foreign Office Minister of
State Douglas Alexander confirmed the British Government's commitment to
fighting discrimination on the basis of caste at the international
level. Mr. Alexander outlined a number of ways in which the
Government will take this forward, including more detailed monitoring of
UK aid programmes, further discussions with EU colleagues about the
human rights agenda to be raised with India before the end of the UK
Presidency and more encouragement to the UN to forge ahead with its
three-year study of caste discrimination. He further suggested that
caste discrimination should come under the UK race equality law.
[more]
New book on Dalits in Pakistan
‘Let us Also Live: The Situation of the
Untouchables in Pakistan’ is the title of a book published by ASR
Resource Centre in Lahore, the Urdu title is 'Hamey Bhi Jeeney Do: Pakistan Mai Acchoot Logon ki
Suratehal'. [more]
Major study on
the effects of the Tsunami among Dalits in Tamil Nadu
Three organisations have carried out a
comprehensive study titled 'Tsunami - the Hit and the Affected'.
The most affected groups after the devastating
Tsunami were the Fishing communities living closest to the Ocean, and
the relief and rehabilitation aid provided mainly targeted these
communities. In contrast the non-ocean communities, who mainly consisted
of Dalits, tribals and other marginalised people, did not experience
great human losses and their material losses and disruption of their
livelihood sources did not receive much attention. The rights of these
communities in terms of relief support, rehabilitation and compensation
for the losses were largely violated.
This is documented in the the report released by
People's Watch - Tamil Nadu, Tsunami Legal Action Committee, and Tsunami
Relief and Rehabilitation Coordination.
The report can be downloaded here.
OHCHR
invites responses on caste-based discrimination
On April 19, 2005 the United Nation’s Commission on Human
Rights adopted a resolution mandating two
Sub-Commission members, Prof. Y. Yokota and
Prof. C. Chung, to conduct a comprehensive study
on discrimination based on work and descent and
to prepare a draft set of principles and
guidelines for the effective elimination of this
form of discrimination. This process involves a
request for contributions from Governments,
National Human Rights Institutions, UN bodies
and specialised agencies, UN special procedures,
and NGOs. IDSN strongly encourage all relevant
bodies in the mentioned categories to respond to
the questionnaires in order to secure the best
possible basis for the two rapporteurs to
continue their vital work.
The High Commissioner on Human Rights invites NGOs with consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) to forward their contributions to the UN study on
discrimination based on work and descent through a
questionnaire on discrimination based on work and descent.
The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN)
wishes to facilitate and support the engagement
of civil society organisations that do not have
ECOSOC status in the process. IDSN therefore
encourages civil society organisations without
ECOSOC status to respond to the questionnaire
and submit this information to IDSN before 31
January 2006. IDSN shall collate and submit the
contributions to the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights.
Pleasesend your contribution to Rikke Nöhrlind,
Coordinator, IDSN on email address:
rn@idsn.org with a copy to Maia Ingvardson
on
mti@idsn.org. You will receive
acknowledgement of receipt; in case you do not
receive a receipt, please contact the
secretariat. You are also welcome to contact the
secretariat for any queries.
Download the questionnaire here.
The previous studies and reports by the
Sub-Commission can be found at our
UN page.
The UK Government affirms commitment to fighting caste discrimination
During the first formal debate on caste
discrimination held on 22nd of November, Foreign Office Minister of
State Douglas Alexander confirmed the British Government's commitment to
fighting discrimination on the basis of caste at the international
level. Mr. Alexander outlined a number of ways in which the
Government will take this forward, including more detailed monitoring of
UK aid programmes, further discussions with EU colleagues about the
human rights agenda to be raised with India before the end of the UK
Presidency and more encouragement to the UN to forge ahead with its
three-year study of caste discrimination. He further suggested that
caste discrimination should come under the UK race equality law.
Read the DSN-UK press release on the debate.
Link to the debate, The UK Parliament's website
For more information, please contact DSN-UK Chair,
Revd. David Haslam
Tel +44 (0) 20 7274 6633, or the DSN-UK office at
dalitsnuk@yahoo.co.uk
New book on Dalits in Pakistan
‘Let us Also Live: The Situation of the
Untouchables in Pakistan’ is the title of a book published by ASR
Resource Centre in Lahore, the Urdu title is 'Hamey Bhi Jeeney Do: Pakistan Mai Acchoot Logon ki
Suratehal'.
Pirbhu Lal Satyani, the author of the
book, is a Pakistani Hindu social activist based in Lahore,
working among the Dalits in his country. Of Pakistan’s roughly 3
million Hindu population, he says, over 75% are Dalits,
belonging to various castes, the most prominent being Meghwals,
Odhs, Valmikis, Kohlis and Bhils. They reside mainly in southern
Punjab and Sindh. Satyani provides startling details about the
plight of the Dalits of Pakistan, which appears to be no
different from that of the Dalits of India.
Most Pakistani Dalits work as landless
agricultural labourers and sweepers, Satyani writes. In rural
areas their huts are located in separate settlements outside the
main village and they generally lack even basic amenities.
The book further describes how Dalits in Pakistan
are discriminated in school, denied participation in political life and
are forced to work for little or no income by landlords.
Click here to read
the full book review by Yoginder Sikand
For more information, contact the author at
pirbhu_m@yahoo.com
Hearing in US Congress on caste discrimination
On 6 October 2005, The Committee on International Relations held an open hearing under the
title "India's Unfinished Agenda: Equality and Justice for the 200
Million Victims of the Caste System". The speakers were Mr. Udit Raj and
Ms. Indira Singh Athwale from All India Confederation of Scheduled
Castes/Scheduled Tribes Organizations; Professor Kancha Ilaiah; Joseph
D’Souza of the Dalit Freedom Network; and Mr. T. Kumar of Amnesty
International.
In his opening statement, Congressman Chris Smith deplored the living conditons of the Dalits of
India, and the serious human rights violations against them drawing
parallels to the lynching of Blacks in the pre-civil rights era in the
United States.
The speakers encouraged US companies operating in India to adopt employment policies that ensure a
proportionate representation of Dalits among their staff. Strong
recommendations were also made to ensure that World Bank and USAID
development programmes in India specifically address the situation of
the Dalits. Another key point raised was the gender dimension of the
problem which leaves Dalit women especially vulnerable to discrimination
and abuse.
The full text of all presentations are available at
US Congress website.
Strong opposition
to new legislation to control Nepalese NGOs
The Secretary-General's Special Representative on
human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, has expressed her concern about the
imminent introduction of a new Code of Conduct for all national and
international "social organizations" in Nepal which would include
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to address human rights
concerns.
The Special Representative is deeply concerned that the adoption of many
of the provisions included within a draft code of conduct, being
developed pursuant to the 2005 amendment to the Social Welfare Act 1992,
would lead to violations of the Declaration on the Right and
Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote
and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
- otherwise known as the Declaration on human rights defenders - as well
as other international human rights standards.
Provisions exerting governmental control over NGO access to funding from
international donors, restricting the political affiliations of NGO
staff, authorizing the issuance of directives to NGOs or the exercise of
supervision over NGOs by the Social Welfare Council, asserting controls
over the locations in which NGOs can work, imposing collective
responsibility of officials and staff for activities conducted by an
NGO, or stipulating that NGOs should not endanger social harmony are
among some of the provisions that are of particular concern.
The IDSN join Ms. Jilani in calling on the Nepalese Government to
withdraw the socalled code of conduct which is in violation of Nepal's
international human rights obligations.
The Dalit NGO Federation of Nepal is deeply
concerned about this new legislation, which has sparked of nationwide
demonstrations and protests by a united civil society.
Dalits are at
high risk of torture in Nepal
Dalits are at high risk of torture in Nepal,
warned the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice. In a statement
delivered 8 November to the U.N. Committee Against Torture, the Center
urged Committee members to investigate the extent of torture against
Nepal’s Dalits.
Since declaring its “war on terror” the Nepalese
government has used draconian laws including the Terrorist and
Disruptive Activities Ordinance and the Public Security Act to
preventively detain and torture individuals, including Dalits. “Cases of
torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced ‘disappearances’ have soared
in Nepal since the government began its ‘war on terror’,” said Professor
Smita Narula, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights and
Global Justice (CHRGJ). “Dalits are the invisible victims of these
abuses. They are often detained and abused simply because of their
‘low-caste’ status.”
On November 9 and 10 the U.N. Committee Against Torture will review
Nepal’s second periodic report under the U.N. Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The
report covers the period from 1996 to 2004 but does not contain a single
mention of well-documented abuses against Dalits. Over 20 percent of
Nepal’s population is treated as “untouchable.” They are denied access
to land, subject to exploitative labor and segregation, and routinely
abused and even killed by “upper-caste” communities that enjoy impunity.
Their vulnerability is heightened in the current political climate in
Nepal.
Increasingly both U.N. and NGO actors are raising
concerns about the victimization of Dalits in the conflict in Nepal. The
U.N. Committee Against Torture now has a critical role to play. “Since
the royal takeover in February 2005 the monarchy has silenced the media,
NGOs, and political parties in Nepal,” added Narula. “In the absence of
any domestic accountability, the Committee Against Torture’s scrutiny
into abuses against Dalits is all the more urgent.”
Read the full press release
Read the statement
Read the concluding observations of the CAT
National
Public Hearing on Discrimination against Dalits in Tsunami Relief and
Rehabilitation
The hearing organised by National
Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), Human Rights Forum for Dalit
Liberation (HRFDL), Dalit Mannurimai Kootamaippu (DMK) on 30 August in
Chennai. At the hearing, documentation were presented to show that
Dalits were discriminated by both government and their neighbouring
communities in the immediate relief situation, and that the
rehabilitation efforts by government have focussed on the needs of the
fishermen communities, leaving out Dalits and other marginalised groups
who are not involved in fishing due to the traditional caste-based
restrictions on occupation.
Read the full
report from the National hearing.
New Dalit e-bulletin
from Nepal
The Jagaran Media Center has introduced a new
monthly e-bulletin with news, reports, features and press releases
related to Dalit issues. The JMC is a well respected Nepalese
organisation set up by Dalit journalists in 2000. The aim of the
organisation is to raise awareness of caste discrimination and its
consequences at local, national and international level. More
information on the JMc website:
www.jagaranmedia.org.np.
For more information, or to receive the
e-bulletin, please write to
e-bulletin@jagaranmedia.org.np
India:
call for legislation on employment reservations in the private sector
A national summit on employment reservations for
dalits in the private sector with more than 1000 delegates representing
political parties, civil society, religious bodies and various public
institutions was held in Delhi 8-9 August 2005. The summit discussed and
unanimously adopted the Delhi Declaration, which calls for national
legislation on private sector reservations. The declaration was
presented to the forum by Honourable Shri. K.R.Narayanan, former
president of India.
Download the
Delhi Declaration
CERD consideration
of Nigeria's periodic state report
An NGO briefing was organised in connection with
CERD's examination of the state report by Nigeria. One of the key issue
presented in shadow reports to CERD is the discrimination faced by the
Osu people, who are considered impure and in effect treated as
untouchables in their communities. They are not allowed to inter-marry
with other groups and they live in segregation.
15 August 2005 the CERD adopted the concluding
observations on Nigeria, including strong recommendations to take
measures to eliminate the descent based discrimination faced by the Osu
population group. The Committe specifically draws attention to
Special Recommendation 29 and urges the Government of Nigeria to
address in cooperation with civil society and religious leaders the
problems of discrimination and segregation experienced by the Osu .
Link to the CERD concluding observations
Link to the shadow
report by RADDHO
Link to the
shadow report by Civil Liberties Organisation
Dalits suffer
the most in Nepal's conflict
The conclusion of a report launched 11 August 2005
is clear: Nepal's dalits are specifically targeted by both the Maoist
insurgents and the Government forces in the long-standing conflict in
the Himalayan country.
The 65-page report from Center for Human Rights
and Gobal Justice at NY University, titled “The Missing Piece of the
Puzzle: Caste Discrimination and the vConflict in Nepal,” exposes the as
yet undocumented impact of the civil war on Nepal’s most vulnerable
citizens: Dalits or so-called untouchables. The report furthermore
identifies caste discrimination as a root cause of the conflict, and
documents how the conflict has also brought on new forms of
discrimination and atrocities against the dalits.
The full report and press release can be downloaded here.
Sub-Commission
adopts resolution on discrimination based on work and descent
The resolution on discrimination based on work and
descent was adopted by consensus on 11 August 2005 by the Sub-Commission
on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
In this resolution, the Sub-Commission endorsed
the first preliminary report of the two Special Rapporteurs,
including plans to send out questionnaires to Governments, national
human rights institutions, relevant United Nations bodies and
specialized agencies and non-governmental organisations. Furthermore,
the resolution recommends to hold one general consultation and two
regional meetings on discrimination based on work and descent before the
next session of the Sub-Commission.
Download the
Sub-Commission resolution
First report
on discrimination based on work and descent by Sub-Commission experts
submitted
At its 61st session in 2005, the Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution
proposed by the Sub-Commission whereby two experts, Professors Chung and
Yokota were appointed to carry out a 3-year study on discrimination
based on work and descent.
The first reliminary report is on the agenda at the Sub-Commission's 57th meeting
August 2005. This report outlines the plan of work for the 3-year study,
including consultations with governments and civil society.
Link to the
preliminary report.
The preliminary report is welcomed by IDSN. A group of NGOs within the Network has
prepared a joint statement in support of the work done by the two
Special Rapporteurs and with a number of recommendations for the future
work.
Download the
Joint NGO statement
Dalits are
victims of forced labour practises
The ILO report 'A Global Alliance against Forced Labour' documents that up to 90 percent
of the victims of forced labour in South Asia are Dalits. The
exploitation takes place in the mining and carpet industries, in brick
kilns, agriculture and other sectors.
Throughout Africa, contemporary forced labour and slavery-like practices
appear to be a problem particularly in those countries where there are
reports of continuing patterns of descent based discrimination.
Women and children are often faced with more difficult conditions as
forced labourers, and are the victims of forced commecial sexual
exploitation.
The report is the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken by an intergovernmental
organisation of the facts and underlying causes of contemporary forced
labour.
Read the ILO report
Dalits
break through the UN wall of silence
The UN Commission on
Human Rights on 19 April adopted by consensus a decision to appoint
two Special Rapporteurs to tackle the entrenched problem of caste-based
discrimination. The Commission was endorsing an earlier decision taken
by its Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the problem and find solutions
for its eradication. The Sub-Commission will now undertake a 3-year study, led by the two
experts, Prof. Chung and Prof. Yokoto, and will draft a set of
Principles and Guidelines to eliminate this form of discrimination.
This is the first time a political body of the UN has referred directly to the problem, and the
decision is seen as a crucial step in the campaign for justice for South
Asia’s Dalits and communities suffering from similar forms of
discrimination around the world.
Mr.Vincent Manoharan of the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
in India welcomed the decision: “Dalits claim this as a belated victory
in the struggle for international recognition of our plight and welcome
the stance of the new Indian government, which did not stand in the way
of the passing of this resolution.”
Read the press release from IDSN
Read the full text of the resolution
<Joint statement
to the Commission on Human Rights
In a joint statement, a group of 11 NGOs strongly
urge the Commission on Human Rights to support the proposal by the
Sub-Commission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights for the
appointment of two Special Rapporteurs to study Discrimination Based on
Work and Descent. The proposal is scheduled under item 16 of the 61st
session of the Commission.
The organisations behind the joint statement
include: Anti-Slavery International, Asian Legal Resource Centre,
FORUM-ASIA, Habitat International Coalition, Human Rights Watch,
International Movement against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism,
Lutheran World Federation, Minority Rights Group International, Pax
Romana, RADDHO, and Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation. In addition,
International Federation for Human Rights and Franciscans International
support the statement.
Download the joint statement
Nepal political
parties sign white paper for elimination of untouchability
On the last day of 2004, 13 political parties of
Nepal came together and signed a White Paper for Elimination of
Untouchability. This landmark document pronounces 2005 as the Year of
Elimination of Untouchability, and 2005-2015 as the Decade of
Elimination of Caste Based Untouchability. The White Paper further
declares that any member, official or volunteer of the respective
parties is obliged to take action against the practice of untouchability
and caste discrimination.
The White Paper can
be downloaded here.
Dalit victims of
the Tsunami disaster denied access to relief measures
A large number of Dalits living near the Southern
coast of India were among the many victims of the devastating Tsunami,
which swept away villages and claimed many lives. But even in the face
of such a disaster, caste discrimination prevails and prevents Dalits
from receiving the relief aid on equal terms with other groups. The
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights has documented how Dalits are
thrown out of relief camps and prevented from receiving water and food.
Likewise, government officials are reluctant to register the dead from
the Dalit communities.
It is furthermore reported that the rehabilitation
measures by the Government do not reach the Dalit villages.
The National Campaign of Dalit Human Rights has on
9 January issued an appeal to all involved in relief and rehabilitation
in the Tsunami affected areas to ensure equitable distribution of relief
measures.
The appeal can be
downloaded here
The IDSN has issued a
press release on this subject,
which can be downloaded
here.
See press coverage on the subject in our
News service.
For more information, contact Maia Ingvardson
mti@idsn.org
IDSN-DNF
International Consultation on Caste-Based Discrimination and the
Kathmandu Dalit Declaration
The International Dalit Solidarity
Network (IDSN) and the Dalit NGO Federation of Nepal organised an
International Consultation on Caste-Based
Discrimination: Establishing Dalit Rights in the Contemporary World; the
Role of Governments, the United Nations and the Private Sector in
Kathmandu 29 November to 1 December 2004.
The consultation brought together Dalit activists from several
South Asian countries; representatives of other communities suffering
similar forms of discrimination (such as the Burakumin of Japan); UN
human rights experts; United Nations agencies; representatives of
bilateral and multilateral agencies; Nepalese NGOs and government
officials; national human rights institutions; IDSN members and
associates as well as private sector representatives. The consultation's
aim was to explore measures to promote implementation of relevant laws,
regulations, policies and recommendations to end caste-based
discrimination as a key human rights responsibility of governments,
civil society and the international community.
In the course of the consultation four thematic areas were covered, i.e.
implementation of General Recommendation XXIX on 'descent-based
discrimination', adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination' (CERD) in August 2002; effective use of United Nations
mechanisms in eliminating caste-based discrimination; the role of the
private sector and transnational corporations; and mainstreaming of
Dalit rights in development programmes. The consultation
identified new strategies to challenge non-implementation of existing
measures, and provided a forum for brainstorming on new measures at all
relevant levels. The Consultation was originally planned for 27-29
September, but was postponed.
The Consultation programme and
presentations can be viewed here.
The Kathmandu Dalit Declaration was launced on 1
December at the end of Consultation The declaration is a challenge to
decision-makers in governments, the EU, UN and donor agencies, civil
society, the private sector and financial institutions to take action to
end caste discrimination. The Kathmandu Dalit Declaration shows concrete
steps and measures to address injustices against Dalits at various
levels.
Read
the Kathmandu Dalit Declaration.
Read the consultation report
(For more information contact Maia Ingvardson, mti@idsn.org)
EU-India Summit: Human Rights must be on the agenda!
Ahead of the EU-India Summit 8 November IDSN, OMCT and FIDH issued a press release reiterating
its concern that human rights will not be on the agenda at the summit.
the three organisations have plenty of suggestions for the urgent issue
to be taken under this agenda item: The persistence of the caste system,
which condemns an estimated 170 million Dalits
(formerly called ‘Untouchables’) to a life of misery, deprivation and
discrimination; the rampant and unchecked use of torture by police; the
impunity of those responsible for inter-religious massacres and crimes
against humanity; the extensive definitions of anti-terrorism laws; the
restrictions imposed on human rights defenders and their lack of
protection; bonded labour; violence against women; the re-application of
the death penalty and massive levels of grinding poverty are some of the
major human rights problems persisting in India.
Read the full press release
<
Dutch campaign against caste discrimination
On 9 October 2004, the Dalit Network Netherlands launched it's campaign ‘Stop
Caste Discrimination – Support the Dalits’. In a speech at the opening
conference, the human rights Ambassador of The Netherlands, Mr. Piet de
Klerk, stated: “The violation of the rights of the in total 260 million
outcastes in Asia and Africa is an international human rights problem.
The Netherlands cares about the plight of the Dalits. Offering equal
opportunities for outcastes, tribals and minorities is one of the main
objectives The Netherlands is pursuing in the international context.”
Read the full speech.
The speech
of Ambassador De Klerk comes at a time while The Netherlands is chairing
the European Union and is preparing the EU-India Summit on 8 November
2004, to be held in The Netherlands.
At the
conference, members of the Dutch and the European Parliament also spoke
out strongly against caste discrimination.
Read the press
release
For more information, please contact Gerard Oonk -
g.oonk@indianet.nl
Unions,
Employers and Investors challenged on caste discrimination
Representatives of trade unions, employers and
church and charitable investors discussed discrimination on the basis of
caste in employment at a seminar on caste and employment organised by
the Dalit Solidarity Network-UK and sponsored by the banking union UNIFI
in London late September.
DSN Chair Revd. David Haslam commented "There are many parallels with
the situation in South Africa in the 1960s, when foreign companies
needed to be persuaded to address discrimination in the system of
apartheid".
A key point highlighted at the seminar is that caste discrimination also
has negative effects for employers, as it deprives them of potential
talent through excluding a large section of people from the workforce.
A series of "Employment Principles for Foreign
Investors in South Asia" was presented at the seminar and will be
further developed for discussion at the International Consultation on Caste-Based Discrimination to be held
in Nepal in November.
For more information, please contact DSN-UK Co-ordinator Gina Borbas,
dalitsnuk@yahoo.co.uk.
OMCT, FIDH
and IDSN deplore scarce reference to caste discrimination and human
rights in EU policy document on India
The three organisations
point out the wholly inadequate reference to human rights and caste in
the European Union’s Communication on the EU-India Strategic Partnership
from 2005. Contrary to overarching EU principles and policies on human
rights, the
Communication barely mentions human rights nor does
it adequately address two of the major rights issues affecting Indian
people: caste-based discrimination and torture, including widespread
impunity of the perpetrators.
In response to the Communication, the
three organisations have presented a joint position paper with strong
recommendations to properly reflect the EU’s commitment to the promotion
of human rights worldwide and in particular in India. IDSN, OMCT and
FIDH recommend that EU recognise caste-based discrimination, torture and
impunity as major human rights and development problems in India that
should be included in the situation and context analyses, as well as in
policies on trade, investment and development co-operation.
Read the Position Paper
India's Government to examine quota
in the private sector
According to Times of India, the Indian government
established a group of ministers, to examine affirmative action,
including the possibilities of reservations for scheduled castes and
scheduled tribes in the private sector. The group will interact with
private sector actors in the process.
Read the full article.
On 12 August 2004, the Sub-Commission on Human Rights adopted a
resolution on
Discrimination Based on Work and Descent, in which it recommended to
its parent body, the Commission on Human Rights, that two of the
Sub-Commission's members be appointed as Special Rapporteurs with the
task of preparing a comprehensive study on discrimination based on work
and descent. The focus of the study is to be on the finalization of a
draft set of principles and guidelines for the effective elimination of
discrimination based on work and descent. The Special Rapporteurs are
also requested to obtain more comprehensive information on measures
taken to address this form of discrimination from relevant governments,
UN institutions and civil society. This resolution is a significant
step, in that it asks the world's peak inter-governmental forum on human
rights (the Commission) for a mandate for a comprehensive study process
that ultimately will result in the drafting of authoritative principles
and guidelines for the elimination of caste-based discrimination and
analogous forms of social exclusion. The referral of this matter to the
Commission will provide a long-awaited litmus test of global political
commitment to the elimination of this form of discrimination, which
blights the lives of a quarter of a billion people. The resolution that
was passed on 12 August 2004 is the latest advance in a process that
IDSN members lobbied for and have supported since its commencement four
years ago.
Strong
recommendations to the international community from Dalit NGO Federation
Nepal
The Dalit NGO
Federation of Nepal has issued at set of recommendations to the
international donor community to address the situation of Dalits in
Nepal. The DNF documents that Dalits are lacking behind the rest of the
population on the main development indicators, and that Dalits are not
represented at decision-making levels in Nepal. Only 3% of seats in
parliament are occupied by Dalits, and there is no Dalit representation
in the judiciary, official government positions, local government, nor
at cabinet level.
But also
international development agencies fail to employ Dalits among their
staff, even though many of their programmes address caste related
poverty issues. DNF is encouraged by the fact that a number of agencies
have taken up Dalit issues, but underlines that according to a survey by
DNF, 50% of international donor agencies are not aware of the caste
issues that affect the poorest groups in Nepal.
DNF finds
that the international donor community can play an important role by
addressing human rights, good governance and social and economic
development, but that it is crucial to take into account the caste issue
in all programmes.
DNF recommendations to donors,
government and civil society can be downloaded here.
Nepalgunj Declaration from the DNF Annual General meeting 25 May 2004
Dalit NGO
Federation calls for at return to democracy in Nepal
In response
to the current political crisis in Nepal, the Dalit NGO Federation calls
for the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in a press
release on 14th May. Representing about 200 Dalit NGOs, the
DNF stands behind the democratic movement of political parties and civil
society. The DNF stresses the need for a constitutional revision in a
democratic forum which includes not only political parties but also
marginalised groups. The DNF proposes that a “Constitutional Assembly
should ensure proportionate representation of Dalits, Indigenous
Nationalities, religious minorities and women from bottom and top
levels”. To warrant proportionate representation, the DNF recommends a
reserved quota of 20% for Dalits at decision-making levels.
The DNF
states, that dialogue is necessary to end the conflict with the Maoist
rebels, and underlines that this must be in a forum of democratically
elected parties.
For further information, please contact DNF President D.B. Sagar
Bishwakarma at
db_sagar@hotmail.com
New statement on caste from the European
Parliament
On April 6 the European Parliament
adopted its report on Human Rights in the World 2003. To view the
statements on caste discrimination contained in the report,
click here.
MEPs question EU's
stance on caste discrimination
Green MEPs Jean Lambert, UK, and
Matti Wuori, Finland, of the have asked the EU Commission and the EU
Council to explain the lack of action of the EU to address caste
discrimination in its dealings with caste afflicted countries.
Link to press release
CERD examination
of Nepal
The Committee on
Elimination of Racial Discrimination considered the fifteenth and
sixteenth report of Nepal on 4 and 5 March 2004. The Concluding
observations are solid and take into consideration the issues raised and
recommendations made by civil society in the shadow reports (prepared by
HRTMCC, Asian Legal Resource Centre and Human Rights Watch) with a
strong focus on caste discrimination. Many CERD experts expressed their
appreciation to the Government about the level of information provided,
'frankness of the government report' and the involvement of other
stakeholders, incl. the NGOs in drafting the report.
The Concluding
Observations (unedited version) can be found
here.
For a summary of
the main recommendations to address caste-based discrimination,
click here.
National Geographic
articles prompt action
Two recent stories
in the magazine dealt with the lives most readers could hardly imagine:
those of India’s Untouchables (June 2003) and of modern-day slaves
(September 2003). The article on Untouchables also spurred people to
action. One reader inquired about adopting an Untouchable child. Others
expressed interest in helping two Untouchable me who had been disfigures
by acid. And Columbia University graduate student Corey Washington
created the website untouchables.org in the hope that is will help make
Untouchables ”into the apartheid issue of this generation.”
Text from National Geographic.
Nepal Shadow
Reports on ICERD
Three shadow reports to the
Fifteenth and Sixteenth Periodic Report of Government on ICERD
have been prepared by civil society. The reports can be downloaded here:
Report by HRTMCC, The Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Co-ordinating
Committe.
Report by Asian Human Rights Commission and Asian Legal Resource Centre
Report by Human Rights Watch
ILO Study on
discrimination based on caste in Nepal
The International
Labour Organisation, ILO, has recently published the study
"Discrimination and Forced Labour of Occupational Castes in Nepal". The
study provides and analyses of the situation of discrimination and
forced labour (including child labour) of occupational castes in Nepal
and proposes specific policy recommendations for mainstreaming the
elimination of caste based discrimination. This study also provides
useful insights for the elaboration of the National Dalit Strategy by
the National Planning Commission and the inclusion of Dalit
issues in the 2003 ILO Global Report on Discrimination.
Click here for the
full report or the
executive summary.
Dalits at the
World Social Forum 2004 in Mumbai
The Dalits and the fight against caste-based
discrimination stood out forcefully, very visibly and colourfully among
the hundred thousand local and global grassroots people gathered at the
World Social Forum held in Mumbai, India on 16th to 21st January 2004.
An estimated 1300 Dalits from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and
Bangladesh raised their voices and beat their drums "to talk" about
oppressed lives, the hope for a life in dignity, and the belief in
change through own efforts. The foundation for a strong social and
political movement clearly already exists. Click here
for the IDSN report from the WSF.
NCDHR - Dalit Swadhikar Rallies
Dalits marched across
India to assert their rights and rightful place in the society. On 6th
December, 2003, the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), a
collective of Dalit Organisations and Human Rights groups launched a
historical Dalit Swadhikar Rally – a national rally of Dalits for
the assertion of rights. The rally started from four different
points of India, i.e. Jammu, Kanyakumari, Kolkata and Delhi and ended in
Mumbai with a remarkable joint entry to the WSF on 16th January 2004.
The Dalit
Swadhikar Rally covered a total distance of nearly 20.000 kilometers
from their respective starting points till the end-points in Mumbai.
For more information go to the NCDHR's web-site
www.dalits.org
or click here for more details.
MANAV ASTITWA - Nepal e-journal on Dalit issues
MANAV
ASTITWA is a new e-journal about Dalit issues in nepal, initiated by
the Asian Human rights Commission (AHRC) in collaboration with the
Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO). Nepal MANAV ASTIWA intends to bring
articles and cases relating to the human rights problems faced by
marginalised communities in Nepal, especially Dalits
A portal for dalit employees in India
A new website with data of dalit officers in India
belonging to IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, IAAS, POSTAL, RAILWAYS, FOREST and many
other services has been launched. The site motivates dalit employees to
protect themselves from atrocities as defined under SC and ST ACT 1989
and calls on dalit officers to register with the website. A
comprehensive legal framework has been outlined to educate dalit
employees in India on their rights.
More information on
www.dalitawaz.com
The Dalit Human Rights Monitoring Project
The People’s Watch – Tamil Nadu launched in 2003 a new training
programme for monitoring violations of Dalits’ human rights (Dalits
Human Rights Monitoring Programme, DHRM).
Building on
the experiences on working for Dalits human rights in Tamil Nadu,
People’s Watch has begun to monitor violations against Dalits in other
parts of the country. The Dalits' Human Rights Monitoring (DHRM) Project
aims to cover 17 states. The primary source will be the Dalits Human
Rights Monitoring Rights Associates (DHRMAs), who are trained volunteers
spread over all parts of the country. The DHRM projects monitors cases
of violation of Dalits Human Rights, follows the handling of the cases
by authorities and reports to national and international human rights
bodies.
The Dalit Human Rights
Monitoring (DHRM) project maintains a mailing list of persons,
institutions and organisations who wish to receive reports on a regular
basis. You can subscribe to the mailing list by
sending a request to
dhrm@pwtn.org indicating your name,
organisation, email, postal address and telephone number. Further
information on
www.pwtn.org
Indian Institute of Dalit Studies
The Indian
Institute of Dalits Studies (IIDS) was founded in December 2002 to
undertake research on issue of exclusion and discrimination in India.
The Institute focuses on marginalised social groups: Dalits, Adwasis and
other communities. The IIDS was been established in response to the
opinion of some academicians and social activists that theoretical and
empirical understanding of social and historical dimensions of
discrimination and exclusion so far had been inadequate.
The IIDS
research foci include the structural context of exclusion and
discrimination; the nature, dynamics and consequences of discrimination;
policy research and studies on collective action.
The IIDS aims
to provide a feedback to the state and civil society organisations for
initiating action on public policies. The Institute provides training
and orientation programmes for social activists, policy makers and
students. The IIDS welcomes collaboration with similar institutions in
India and elsewhere within.
e-mail:
dalitstudies@hotmail.com
www.dalitstudies.org
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