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IDSN newsletter on the struggle to end caste discrimination
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In this newsletter:
  • Landmark UN Guidance Tool on caste discrimination launched in Kathmandu
  • IDSN Annual Report 2016 available for download
  • Bangladesh must step up efforts to address caste discrimination say rights activists at UN review
  • UPR 2017 recommendations: Caste discrimination in India and the UK
  • Dalit, non-dalit South Asian lawmakers’ conference kicks off in Kathmandu
  • Report: Dalit workers in India’s leather industry suffer serious rights abuses
  • EU states its commitment to civil society and human rights defenders
  • Backsliding on Civil Space in Democracies - UN Human Rights Council Side-Event
  • Dutch Parliament express concern over India's clamp down on NGOs
  • The Dutch Paliament answered a series of questions on India's blocking of funding for several key

Landmark UN guidance tool on caste discrimination launched in Kathmandu
In a historic event in Kathmandu, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) launched a comprehensive guidance tool addressing caste-based discrimination. The tool is meant to support UN country teams, agencies and other stakeholders in combatting caste-based discrimination and has been welcomed by UN stakeholders as well as human rights activists across the world.
Read more about the Guidance Tool launch here

IDSN Annual Report 2016 available for download
2016 has seen several important milestones in the fight to end caste discrimination. 

The 2016 IDSN annual report covers the most important developments in IDSN's international advocacy work as well as key developments in caste-affected countries.

The report also includes highlight and case boxes as well as a word from the IDSN Chair.
Download the IDSN report here

Bangladesh must step up efforts to address caste discrimination say rights activists at UN review

IDSN members the Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) and Network of Non-Mainstreamed Marginalized Communities (NNMC), took part in the UN Human Rights Committee (CCPR) review of Bangladesh in March, 2017.

Ahead of the review IDSN, NNMC and BDERM submitted an alternative report to the Committee, documenting how the Dalit population in Bangladesh continues to be exposed to systemic discrimination based on caste. The report also highlights the most prevalent forms of discrimination against Dalits, including restrictions in their access to adequate housing, land, water and sanitation, and discrimination by employers.

Dalit rights and caste were mentioned in the list of issues by The National Human Rights Institution of Bangladesh and a joint civil society report from Bangladesh, as well as very briefly in the response from the State party to the list of issues.
Read the IDSN article here

UPR 2017 recommendations: Caste discrimination in India and the UK

India and the UK will be up for review by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 4 May 2017.

Ahead of the reviews fact sheets and UPR submissions concerning the situation of Dalits in the two countries have been prepared. The reviews are in place to examine the extent to which the two countries are upholding their international commitments on human rights. Dalit rights activists and organisations are urging states to act on holding both governments accountable to their obligations to combat caste discrimination.

Submissions:

Caste discrimination in India – UPR review 4 May 2017:

  • UPR fact sheet on caste based discrimination including follow up from the last review and recommendations – prepared by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)
  • Alternative report by The Working Group on Human Rights in India including concerns over Dalit rights on page 24.

Caste discrimination in the UK – UPR review 4 May 2017:

Dalit, non-dalit South Asian lawmakers’ conference held in Kathmandu

A conference for South Asian Dalit and non-Dalit MPs’ was organised by the Asian Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF) in late February. Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat inaugurated the conference and reiterated the government’s commitment to end the caste-based discrimination and the practice of ‘untouchability’ from Nepal as a matter of urgency. 
Read more about the conference in the article from ADRF here

Report: Dalit workers in India’s leather industry suffer serious rights abuses
A report released by the India Committee on the Netherlands finds that workers in India’s leather industry suffer serious labour and human rights violations. Most of the 2,5 million leather workers are found to be Dalits and Muslims, exploited due to their marginalised status. India supplies leather to huge global brands.
Read the IDSN article on the report here

EU states its commitment to civil society and human rights defenders
In a statement on World NGO Day the EU reiterates its commitment to protecting space for civil society and human rights defenders. This is particularly relevant in relation to organisations and defenders working to fight caste discrimination as they are increasingly facing threats and sanctions.
Read the IDSN article on the statement here

Backsliding on Civil Space in Democracies - UN Human Rights Council Side-Event
On 3 March CIVICUS held a side event to the 34th session of the Human Rights Council on “Backsliding on Civic Space in Democracies”, in advance of India, Brazil, Poland and South Africa examinations under the Universal Periodic Review in May 2017. The event was co-sponsored by IDSN, Amnesty International, CIVICUS, Forum Asia, ISHR, HRW, HRDA and OBS. IDSN was represented by its board member Henri Tiphagne from Human Rights Defenders Association in India.
Read more about the side-event here

Dutch Parliament express concern over India's clamp down on NGOs
The Dutch Paliament answered a series of questions on India's blocking of funding for several key human rights NGOs. The parliament expressed concern over the situation and assured, "the government will draw attention at EU level for the restrictions civil society organizations experience by the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act and by subordinate regulations of the Indian government." The answers also stated that,"The Netherlands has made efforts to draw attention to this situation at various levels in bilateral contacts and at multilateral level and will continue to do so in future." 
Read the full questions and answers here
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About us

The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) works on a global level for the elimination of caste discrimination and similar forms of discrimination based on work and descent.
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