Archive | Key Issues

HRW: India must stop ‘cow protection’ vigilante violence against Dalits and Muslims

In the report Human Rights Watch (HRW) states: Indian authorities should promptly investigate and prosecute self-appointed “cow protectors” who have committed brutal attacks against Muslims and Dalits over rumors that they sold, bought, or killed […]
April 27th, 2017|India, Violence and atrocities|

Report: Dalit workers in India’s leather industry suffer serious rights abuses

The report, ‘Do leather workers matter? Violating labour rights and environmental norms in India’s leather production’, is based on background and field research at three production hubs that supply hides, leather, garments, accessories and footwear […]
March 20th, 2017|Caste-based slavery, India|

UN Expert Report: India must act on access to adequate housing for Dalits

The report cites Government statistics revealing that Dalits on average live in lower quality housing, made with inadequate materials compared to the general population and finds the lack of access for Dalits to latrines, […]
February 3rd, 2017|India, Living conditions, United Nations|

Report: Widespread child slavery in India’s yarn industry, most victims are Dalits

The India Committee on the Netherlands (ICN) report  ‘Fabric of Slavery – Large-scale forced (child) labour in India’s spinning mills’ shows that various forms of modern slavery, including child slavery, are found in more […]
January 13th, 2017|Caste-based slavery, Dalit Women, United Nations|

India blocks funding for IDSN member Navsarjan Trust

The Government order to cancel the license accuses Navsarjan Trust of being involved in “undesirable activities aimed to affect prejudicially harmony between religious, racial, social, linguistic, regional groups, castes or communities,” but it does […]
January 6th, 2017|Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India|

References to caste discrimination during the CEDAW review of Bangladesh

On 7 and 8 November, Bangladesh was reviewed under the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Prior to the review thirteen civil society organisations submitted alternative reports, outlining various issues that […]
November 10th, 2016|Bangladesh, Dalit Women, United Nations|

Caste at the Human Rights Council’s 33 session

The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) commenced its 33rd session on 13 September. This year the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences has a […]
September 15th, 2016|Caste-based slavery, United Nations|

Indian Government under attack for atrocities against Dalits

The Indian government has come under attack for atrocities against Dalits. In a debate on Dalit atrocities in the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha) on Thursday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh  disputed claims of increasing […]
August 15th, 2016|India, Violence and atrocities|

Global conference urged to discuss rights of 300 million Dalit and indigenous women

COPENHAGEN, 11 MAY 2016 — When leaders and activists from all over the world gather in Copenhagen next week to focus on the health and human rights of girls and women, their discussions must […]
May 11th, 2016|Dalit Women, Uncategorized, United Nations|

AI Germany presents rights award to Henri Tiphagne

The German section of Amnesty International has presented its 8th Human Rights Award to the Indian lawyer, human rights defender and campaigner against caste discrimination, Henri Tiphagne. The award ceremony took place at the Maxim-Gorky-Theatre […]
April 28th, 2016|Human Rights Defenders, India, Violence and atrocities|