Archive | Key Issues

UN Expert criticizes India’s sanitation drive for exacerbating manual scavenging

The UN Expert on Water and Sanitation, Léo Heller, has stated that the failure to end the practice of manual scavenging in India coupled with the construction of more non-flush toilets, is contributing to […]
November 14th, 2017|India, Living conditions, Manual Scavenging, United Nations|

Joint statement – Pakistan must act immediately to protect Dalits against forced disappearances, slavery and discrimination

Joint statement by the International Dalit Solidarity Network, Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network, International Movement Against All Forms of Racism and Discrimination (IMADR), Minority Rights Group International, Anti-Slavery International and FORUM-ASIA. 13 November 2017 As the UN […]

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 […]

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|

Dalit activists in Nepal take part in IDSN workshop on UN and EU advocacy

The workshop included an overview of the EU and its institutions by IDSN EU Adviser, Claire Ivers, specifically the different roles of the European Council, Council of the EU, European External Action Service (EEAS), […]
October 24th, 2017|European Union, Nepal, Political Participation, United Nations|

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|

IDSN recommendations for the UN Human Rights Council September session

Read the full IDSN HRC36 recommendations here:
September 7th, 2017|Access to justice, Living conditions, United Nations|

Dalit flood victims need food, water and medicine

Nepal, Bangladesh and India have experienced severe flooding over the past weeks and many Dalit communities are hard hit. In this article we will share some of the reports we have received from members […]
September 6th, 2017|Humanitarian Aid, Nepal|

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|

UK caste consultation extended after pressure from human rights defenders

The UK’s Indian Diaspora community are going head to head as the Government’s consultation on caste discrimination legislation is extended. In several media reports groups that are pro and anti the introduction of legislation […]
August 23rd, 2017|Access to justice, Diaspora, UK|