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IDSN's March-April 2013 Newsletter - Choose to show/download pictures in your email to display this newsletter properly 
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Britain outlaws caste discrimination
Dalit rights campaigners in the UK are celebrating the government’s historic decision to ban caste discrimination, which will now be included as “an aspect of race” in Britain’s equality legislation. Previous iDSN news on this issue: UK: Fight for caste legislation goes on; Rally decries UK caste policy

Dalits in India launch land rights campaign
The recently formed National Alliance on Dalit Land Rights (NADLR) has joined forces with Ekta Parishad - an organisation working for land rights - to launch an ambitious campaign that aims to make as many as 2.5 million landless Dalits file land claims before the end of this year.

Dutch ministers questioned on Dalit issues
The Dutch Parliament has asked two ministers to undertake more action against violence against women, especially Dalit women. The Dalit Network Netherlands and the India Committee of the Netherlands have commented on the exhange between the Parliament and the ministers and stressed that Dalit issues should stay on the EU and UN agendas.

MRG: End violence against Dalit women
It is time for comprehensive action to end violence against Dalit women and girls, Minority Rights Group International said in a statement on International Women's Day.

Violence against women: UN expert visits India
The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, is visiting India from 22 April-1 May. Prior to her visit, the Dalit women's platform AIDMAM and 30 other civil society groups made the following submission on Violence against Dalit Women. IDSN presented the following input on Dalit women to the Special Rapporteur.

UPR: Bangladesh under scrutiny
Dalit campaigners from Bangladesh will be in Geneva next week as the country’s human rights record is examined by the UN’s Universal Periodic Review mechanism. You can find more information about the Bangladesh UPR here and a flyer for a side event on minorities in Bangladesh here.

Pakistan: Dalits demand representation
Participants in a consultation on Dalit political representation have adopted a resolution urging political parties in Pakistan to nominate members of 'scheduled castes' for seats in the country's elected assemblies.

Former US President meets Dalits in Nepal
Former US President Jimmy Carther visited Nepal from 28 March-6 April this year. One of Mr Carter’s meetings was with Dalit leaders who told him that the major political parties are not inclusive towards Dalits.

NCDHR publishes Annual Newsletter 2012
The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) in India has published a newsletter with highlights from its numerous activities in 2012, including the campaign to amend legislation that is intended to protect Dalits, but fails to do so..


Declaration promotes ‘child labour free zones’
At a recent meeting in Kampala, Uganda, the Stop Child Labour movement adopted a declaration which aims to work ‘towards child labour free zones’.  The issue is of much relevance to Dalits, and the Kampala Declaration mentions discrimination on the basis of work and descent, another term for caste discrimination.

More news headlines:
India: 10-year old Dalit rape victim jailed; Four posing as cops gang-rape Dalit girl; Dalit found murdered in village; A death foretold; 200 Dalits flee village after attack; Cleaning up India's shame; India's continuing shame; Disempowered Dalits; Inter-caste marriages taking toll in Jatland; A love affair is the reason for denial of work to Dalits; From grinding poverty to the Padma Shri; Cries of discrimination reverberate; Recast over time, caste lives on
Bangladesh: MRG visits a Dalit sweeper colony in Dhaka
Nepal:
Systemic disease (article on caste in Nepal);
Pakistan: Poor Hindu woman runs for PA

 
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