News and Events | Dalit Solidarity Network

Women finally come front and centre at the UN Human Rights Council

26th June 2014

THE ROLE OF THE UN IN COMBATING CASTE-BASED VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION On June 17 2014 the side event addressing violence against Dalit women took place at the United Nations in Geneva. It was sponsored by Human Rights Watch, International Movement against all forms of Discrimination and Racism, Minority Rights Group, Franciscan International, and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development and organised in association with International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) and co-sponsored by Denmark and Norway. The event addressed caste-based sexual and other forms of violence against women and girls in caste-affected countries and explored with United Nations stakeholders how [..]

Has anyone asked the Dalit communities how they feel?

7th May 2014

UK Govt response to Lord's PQ highlights unreasonable delays to implementation of caste discrimination legislation worried that the next phase proposed " could be seen as intrusive and might have an adverse effect on good relations in the relevant communities". Which communities does he mean? Lord Avebury's Parliamentary Question to the Minister was answered with a wholly unacceptable further delay of 6 months and more. If this continues this legislation will not see the light of day before 2016. Lord Ahmad response to Lord Avebury 6 May 2014

US Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to introduce resolution to protect Dalits from discrimination

11th April 2014

UK Government - PLEASE TAKE NOTE WASHINGTON, DC – In advance of the April 14 birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a freedom fighter for the Dalit people, the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that Norton will introduce a resolution when Congress returns from recess condemning Dalit untouchability, the practice of birth-descent discrimination against Dalit people, which is still widely practiced in India, Nepal, the Asian diaspora and other South Asian nations, and calling on these countries to recognize the human rights of the Dalit people and end all forms of untouchability within their borders. http://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-introduce-resolution-calling-on-congress-to-condemn

Equality and Human Rights Commission publishes Caste in Britain reports

4th March 2014

Dalit Solidarity Network UK welcomes the publication of the EHRC reports on 28 February 2014. The two reports confirm that caste discrimination “cannot be tolerated and should be included in the protections against discrimination and harassment provided in the Equality Act 2010”. The reports also question the proposed sunset clause : “for a non-discrimination ground is legally without precedent and goes against this key differential” http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publications/our-research/research-reports/research-reports-91-100/ The next stage of the Government's long and drawn out timetable is the consultation planned for March 2014 seeking further views from stakeholders and the public. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/caste-discrimination-legislation-timetable The GEO having received these reports early in January 2014 [..]

European Parliament passes resolution on Dalits – overwhelming majority

10th October 2013

The European Parliament has voted with a huge majority to pass a resolution to combat caste based discrimination around the world. The resolution was supported by UK and Ireland MEPS but action in the UK to change discrimination laws to include Caste has been repeatedly delayed. Caste discrimination affects an estimated 260million people around the world and the resolution calls for, amongst other things, a “caste-based discrimination clause in all trade and association agreements.” Prior to the vote a number of MEPs spoke on caste discrimination including Paul Murphy, Martina Anderson and Jean Lambert, who is a patron of the [..]