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IDSN's October 2013 Newsletter - Choose to show/download pictures in your email to display this newsletter properly 
** Click on the headlines to read the full stories **

The European Parliament adopts strong resolution on caste discrimination
The EP resolution calls on EU institutions to specifically recognise and address caste discrimination; to include the issue in EU legislation and human rights policies; and to raise it at the highest level with governments of caste-affected countries. The resolution was reported on in numerous articles including in the New York Times >>, The Guardian >>, The Hindu >> and New Internationalist >>.
 
IDSN report: Disasters hit Dalits harder
Research reveals that Dalits are more exposed to disasters due to discrimination, and hit hardest when disaster strikes. The report presents recommendations to humanitarian stakeholders on how to prevent caste discrimination in disaster risk reduction and response.
 
Dalit women call for justice at National Tribunal
The National Tribunal on Violence Against Dalit Women in India, organised by AIDMAM, heard over 45 testimonies of Dalit women who had been subjected to kidnapping, murder, physical assault, sexual violence and other crimes against them, and have yet to obtain justice. Hindustan Times published an article on the tribunal >>
 
Acquittals in massacre case shock Dalits
Almost 16 years after the savage killings of 58 Dalits in a Bihar village, the survivors’ fight for justice has suffered a severe blow. On 9 October, the Patna High Court acquitted 26 men who were sentenced for the crime three years ago. 
 
Finland vows to fight caste discrimination
The Finish Minister of Foreign Affairs has promised to take active measures in fighting caste discrimination. His statements came at an event organised by the Dalit Solidarity Network in Finland (DSN-Fi), which formed part of an impressive campaign week by DSN-Fi. 
 
World report on minorities highlights caste discrimination
The State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2013 report by Minority Rights Group International highlights caste discrimination as an exacerbating factor for ill health. Read the excerpts on caste discrimination here, including a case on the Buraku people in Japan >> 
 
Meira Kumar: The caste system needs to be destroyed
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament in India) said that the caste system causes unimaginable harm to society and must be destroyed completely.
 
New UN database to help end discrimination
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has launched a database containing more than 1,500 documents on practical means to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The OHCHR welcomes contributions on relevant items for inclusion in the database, which contains a number of documents related to caste discrimination. Click here to enter the database
 
Caste discrimination in Canada
‘We are zero’: One of Vancouver's Dalit immigrants says that she can’t escape the sting of India’s caste system, even in Canada.
 
National Consultation on Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act
At the consultation held on 25 September in New Delhi discussions centered on the new law and provisions for its effective implementation. 
 
More news headlines:
Too few Dalits in media: Ram; 'Untouchable' Families Flee Village In India En Masse To Escape Threats; Fearing violent attacks, Dalits desert village; Voices, hopes and expectations aplenty; Their revenge on her body ; Caste just does not come into their life; 'A conspiracy of silence against Dalit victims'; Public hearing discusses Child Rights Violations; Minor dalit girl raped in Haryana village;   Dalits need escape velocity of Jupiter for success; National panel suggests quota for dalits in government purchases; Atrocities against Dalit women committed more in south: study

 
Copyright © 2013 International Dalit Solidarity Network