Experts: Law amendment will push Dalit children out of school and into child labour

Child labour experts are warning that the term ‘family enterprises’ is widely interpreted and a common euphemism for industries such as carpet-weaving, beedi-rolling, gem-polishing, lock-making and matchbox-making. Shamshad Khan, president of the Centre for Rural Education and Development Action, calls the move “retrogressive” and says that “The worst-hit will be the children of Dalits, Muslims, tribal families and those belonging […]

|Categories: Caste-based slavery, Dalit Children|Tags: |

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IDSN urges agencies to counter caste discrimination in aid delivery after Nepal earthquake

In the past in disaster responses in caste-affected countries, such as the response to the 2004 Tsunami in India, Dalits have faced problems when trying to register for relief. They often receive poorer and fewer relief goods; they are exploited to remove corpses or debris; their losses are less visible as ownership is not formally recognised; and they are […]

|Categories: European Union, Humanitarian Aid, Nepal|Tags: |

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Exclusion of Dalit rights defenders from UN featured in handbook on NGO access

The handbook, A Practical Guide to the UN Committee on NGOs, is an honest account of the way in which the NGO committee functions and malfunctions, with helpful tips and useful insight. At the well-attended launch, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Australia to the UN in Geneva on […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Human Rights Defenders, India, Political Participation, United Nations|Tags: |

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Dalit women go viral to tell the world their story

“A girl who was never considered to speak at any of the platforms in her hometown… speaks to the whole world on AL JAZEERA today,” tweeted Dalit woman human rights defender, Sanghapali Aruna Kornana, after appearing on the Al Jazeera STREAM online and broadcast news show, talking about the Dalit history month project and Dalit resistance. Al Jazeera was […]

|Categories: Dalit Women, Diaspora, India, South Asia|Tags: |

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Global Declaration on Dalit Rights released

The declaration entitled “Establishing Dalit Rights in the Contemporary World: A Call for Action” recognizes caste as a key challenge for democracy, human rights, justice, good governance and the rule of law. The declaration also supports and endorses previous declarations including the 2011 Declaration and Global Call for Action to Eliminate Caste-Based Discrimination and the 2004 […]

|Categories: Diaspora|Tags: |

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UK: political parties take a stand on caste

The Liberal Democrats have included caste in their general election manifesto stating that, “we will: …Outlaw caste discrimination.” They have also included a more specific reference in their BAME manifesto with the statement, “A fair society should treat its citizens equally and with dignity. We must continue our […]

|Categories: European Union, UK|Tags: |

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Dalit leaders awarded for their work defending human rights

These women are a part of a growing number of Dalit women in India standing up for the rights of Dalits and fighting oppression with courage and unwavering determination. An interview with Manjula Pradeep was published in 2014 – giving powerful insight into her work and the […]

|Categories: Dalit Women, Human Rights Defenders, India|Tags: |

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Resolution condemning caste-based discrimination introduced in US congress

The resolution, H.Res.158, was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives, “Condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora, and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognise the human rights of […]

|Categories: Access to justice, Dalit Women, Diaspora|Tags: |

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US urged to actively support IDSN’s application for UN consultative status

OPEN LETTER   Mr. John F. Kerry Secretary of State of the United States of America U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington DC 20520   23 March 2015 Dear Mr. Secretary, We, the undersigned group of civil society organizations, are writing to urge the United States, as a member of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, […]

|Categories: Diaspora, India, United Nations|Tags: |

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Leading Dalit activists arrested for protesting massive cuts in budgets meant for Dalits

Massive cuts to provisions for education of Dalits and Adivasis were central to the protest and public meeting, organised by the Campaign of Adivasis and Dalits for Rights on Education (CADRE 2201). “The budgeted expenditure by the Modi government for the most marginalised sections – Dalits and Adivasis – of our country has seen a colossal decline this year. We […]

|Categories: Access to justice, India, Political Participation|Tags: |

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