Tribute to IDSN’s first Director Rikke Nöhrlind

It is with immense sadness that we have learned that IDSN’s first Director, Rikke Nöhrlind, has passed away.

Rikke was an instrumental part of laying the foundations of the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) and a formidable force in breaking down barriers and kicking in doors to ensure that the human rights violations caused by caste discrimination were addressed at the global level.

Under her leadership between 2003 and 2016, the organisation went from strength to strength. She fought tirelessly to ensure that Dalit rights defenders could access global platforms where their voices could be heard. She followed up relentlessly to demand that action be taken at all levels to address the immense injustices and inequities that stem from caste discrimination, and her efforts have made a lasting impact. She was a true force of nature and would never take no for an answer.

Rikke devoted her life and service to the pursuit of justice for marginalised and excluded communities. She leaves behind a beautiful family and a strong legacy and testament to that no matter how immense the challenges, we should never give up the fight.

Rest in Power!

Invitation: #LetsTalkAboutCaste UN HRC side-event

Join us for this important UN side-event on why speaking out on caste discrimination matters! It's happening at the UN Human Rights Council, Palais de Nations, Geneva, on the 18th September at 14 CET and will also be livecast in IDSN's YouTube channel.

UN workshop sheds light on barriers to justice for Dalits in South Asia

In the workshop titled “Mapping out Access to Justice for Persons from Descent-Based Communities,” human rights defenders, researchers, legal experts and civil society representatives gathered to discuss some of the pressing issues faced by persons from those communities in South Asia. The three-day workshop held from 19th to 21st August 2024 and organised by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) with the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) and Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF) as co-organizers, was pivotal in highlighting the barriers to justice and in formulating strategies for improving  the human rights protection for persons from communities discriminated against on the basis of work and descent by having access to the due process of the law.

UN CERD Review critically examines Pakistan’s efforts to combat caste discrimination

On 8th August 2024, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) conducted a thorough review of Pakistan’s progress in addressing racial discrimination, livecast on UN Web TV. Ahead of the review, IDSN submitted a report outlining significant concerns about ongoing caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits, and provided detailed recommendations for the Pakistani government.

One word can make a world of difference in the recently adopted EU corporate due diligence legislation

One small word , in the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), has the potential to make a giant leap of difference to millions of workers suffering human rights abuses in global supply chains. The focus on anti-discrimination and the inclusion of the word caste, in the recitals of the just adopted CSDDD, underscores that EU businesses , and those based outside the EU but with significant presence in the Member states, must ensure they are addressing caste discrimination, and the situation of Dalits in their supply chains, in order to live up to the new legislation. This is a crucial inclusion for millions of Dalits abused or discriminated against in supply chains and working in forced labour, child labour or under hazardous conditions.

A Milestone of Success: Reflecting on 30 Years with FEDO (FEDO)

Documentary on the current challenges of Dalit women (AIDMAM-NCDHR)

For some current insights into the situation of Dalit women in India, we are sharing the documentary released by All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM), in collaboration with the Science Outreach and Communication Foundation (SOCF).

"The documentary chronicles incidents of discrimination and attacks, both mental and physical, on Dalit women and points out how difficult it is to achieve freedom from structural slavery. It also points out how in today’s India Dalit women are courageously resisting, both seen and unseen attacks to realize the dreams of equality." - AIDMAM

To Belong: An intimate self-portrait of the life of a Dalit in Nepal (Minority Rights Group)

Sharing this important film by MRG - "'To Belong', an intimate portrayal of Dalit life in Nepal, capturing the struggles and resilience of the marginalized community. Self-filmed by Kumar Darnal during a Covid-19 lockdown, the documentary sheds light on caste-based discrimination, which persists despite legal prohibitions. 

Produced by Shailendra D. Karki and Amy Benson, 'To Belong' offers a poignant glimpse into the realities faced by Dalits in Nepal. Explore the film and delve into the broader conversation on social justice and equality.

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