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Urgent Appeal for Action – Dalit Professor in need of immediate protection

Human Rights Defenders Alert – India (HRDA) has issued an urgent appeal for the protection of Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd – a political analyst, human rights activist and one of India’s most prominent Dalit […]
November 8th, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, Political Participation, Violence and atrocities|
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Urgent Appeal for Action – Death threats and withdrawal of police protection for a Dalit human rights activist

The appeal directed to the National Human Rights Commission of India states that false cases have been filed against Mr. Kalsan and that he is receiving death threats on account of his work defending […]
November 2nd, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, Violence and atrocities|
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MEPs call on EU Presidents to address caste discrimination at the EU-India summit

A cross-party group of prominent Members of the European Parliament has sent an open letter to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the […]
October 20th, 2017|European Union, India|
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Indian Government responds to UN rights review – accepts key recommendations on caste but not on ensuring space for civil society

Fifteen states made interventions with explicit recognition of the challenges faced by Dalits, at the United Nations human rights review (UPR) of India, which took place in May. Responding to the review in September […]
October 9th, 2017|Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations|
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Campaign and new report highlight caste discrimination in schools

The campaign raises awareness across India of the serious obstacles to education encountered by Dalit and Adivasi students and issues key recommendations for change. In connection with the campaign public hearings and consultations took […]
October 9th, 2017|Dalit Children, Education, India|
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Rights defenders: legislation meant to stop caste atrocities is failing

Dalit and Adivasi Civil Society Organisations, Human Rights Defenders from across India met in New Delhi to discuss the status of implementation of India’s legislation to prevent atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis. There was […]
August 31st, 2017|Access to justice, India|
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Rights defenders: 27 manual scavengers die in one month – Government must act now

The call comes following the death of 27 manual scavengers in India within the span of one month, outlined in a press release by rights NGO Safai Karmchari Andolan (SKA). In response, the New […]
August 21st, 2017|Access to justice, India, Manual Scavenging|
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India cuts off funding to IDSN member for reporting to UN Experts

IDSN member People’s Watch is fighting a legal battle in the Indian courts to regain their foreign funding license, first revoked by the Indian Government in 2012. The organisation, a program unit  of the […]
August 15th, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, United Nations|
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UN Members States: India must do more to uphold the rights of Dalits

Several states addressed the need to introduce new policies and implement existing ones to prevent violence and attacks against Dalits, as well as ensuring justice for victims of such crimes. Others addressed the need […]
May 24th, 2017|Access to justice, India, United Nations|
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India urged to address caste discrimination in new Disaster Risk Reduction plan

It is a well-documented fact that in disaster situations Dalits are often discriminated against when it comes to relief work as well as rebuilding homes, livelihoods and offering compensation for assets lost. It has […]
May 23rd, 2017|Humanitarian Aid, India|
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