Executive Summary
A core objective in IDSN’s advocacy for the elimination of caste discrimination is to influence policy makers and international institutions. In respect to parliamentary action, 2013 became one of the most productive years in IDSN’s history; the results constitute years of advocating for the human rights of Dalits and others affected by caste discrimination with EU and UN institutions.
On October 10, The European Parliament (EP) adopted a benchmark resolution on caste discrimination urging the EU to mainstream the fight against caste discrimination in EU legislation, policies and programming documents and to adopt operational guidelines for its implementation.
The resolution sets straight that caste is a ground of discrimination to be recognised and tackled on par with other forms of discrimination, such as ethnicity, race, descent, religion, gender and sexuality, in EU efforts to fight discrimination.
The EP furthermore calls on the EU to conduct dialogues on the topic at the highest level with governments of casteaffected countries, and in international meetings; and to address it in human rights and development agendas, and in EU agreements with third parties.
During the parliamentary debate on the resolution, EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström stated that caste discrimination is a “high priority for the EU.” She listed a number of tools that the EU uses to fight it. However, MEPs insisted that much more should be done to fight caste discrimination, and urged the EU and its member states to promote the draft UN Principles and Guidelines for Effective Elimination of Discrimination based on Work and Descent.
Five other EP resolutions adopted in 2013 contained recommendations related to caste discrimination. This includes a January resolution on violence against women in India, which had numerous references to caste and the situation of Dalit women and noted ”the extraordinary high level of impunity” in cases of sexual violence against Dalit women. European Parliament resolutions adopted in December on the financing instruments for European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) and EU Development Cooperation referred to caste discrimination warranting policy recognition on the topic and future financing under these frameworks.
Furthermore, the EP resolution on the MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda highlighted caste as a source of inequality, which must be addressed in a new framework.
On several occasions during the year, IDSN representatives met with MEPs and EU officials and felt more assured than ever before that EU institutions are committing to stronger action in EU policies and programmes.
The fact that more than 100 MEPs took specific actions related to caste discrimination, beyond voting for resolutions, is a healthy sign of strong political interest, which is noted in caste-affected countries and reported on globally.
In September, IDSN issued a new report “Equality in Aid: Addressing Caste-Based Discrimination in Humanitarian Response” which was well received and supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including ECHO – the European Commission’s Office for Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection.
In 2013, IDSN continued its strong engagement with UN human rights bodies. It facilitated representation of Dalit activists and organisation of side-events at sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC); communicated with Special Procedures mandate holders, treaty bodies and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); and urged states to address the issue of caste discrimination in the Universal Periodic Review process and at HRC sessions.
Overall, the results were very encouraging, as the level of attention to the issue intensified. The UN High Commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, continued to make bold statements on caste discrimination, and her office paid even more attention to the issue in its work. In 2013, no less than ten Special Procedures mandate holders made references to caste discrimination, and seven mandate holders issued a joint media statement, calling on World Governments to end the plight of ‘untouchables’. In December, the OHCHR hosted a two-day South Asian regional consultation on caste discrimination in Nepal, with the participation of UN agencies, civil society, national human rights institutions and government representatives. It served as an important milestone in efforts to mainstream the issue of caste discrimination into the work of the UN.
Similarly significant, a UN Guidance Note on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities took note that, “UN action and policies should reflect the fact that persons targeted for discrimination based on descent, in particular caste-based discrimination and related practices, are in a number of contexts in a particularly marginalized position and in need of focused attention.”
Civil society groups, including Dalit leaders and IDSN, have argued for inequality to be a stronger focal point of the post-2015 discussion and pushed for inclusion of caste discrimination in the post-2015 global development agenda. One interim result is that a UN-led public consultation recognised caste discrimination as a source of inequality. In June, five states co-sponsored a Human Rights Council side-event on ‘“Dalit women: Working together towards the elimination of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence based on gender and caste,” co-organised by International human rights groups in association with IDSN. This was a significant step in recognising caste discrimination in the context of the Human Rights Council and it highlighted the need for incorporating Dalit women issues in UNHRC’s agenda on discrimination and violence against women.
In numerous events and meetings held in the course of the year Dalit leaders and activists brought in their experience, expertise and recommendations to UN and EU institutions.
The section on developments in caste-affected countries in this report captures some of the efforts, challenges, and progress made; providing a mixed picture of success and failure. Success because Dalit civil society through effective nation-wide coalitions and campaigns have been able to push for new or amended legislation in key areas for the protection of Dalit’s civil and political, as well as social, economic and cultural rights; failure because caste discrimination and caste-based violence, followed by impunity, remain endemic. Among the successes attributed to Dalit civil society is the formation of a South Asia Parliamentary Forum on caste discrimination in December.
In Europe, Dalit Solidarity Networks continued their work with parliamentarians and government decision makers, pursued public awareness activities and took the lead in ethical trading initiatives related to caste, business and human rights - with a good deal of success.
IDSN communication outlets continued to serve the larger network as well as an increasing number of external users, including research institutions. The website and monthly newsletter enjoys growing support and IDSN expanded its use of online media through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
While progress and achievements are considerable and while civil society continue to speak out at grassroots, national and international levels and parliamentarians in increasing numbers insist, that caste discrimination should not be left ‘untouched’, some core and legitimate questions remain unanswered:
Why is caste discrimination still absent from the agenda of the UN human rights council? Is it a lesser human rights cause than the struggle against apartheid and racism? Is it less important than discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexuality, religion or gender?
While declamations on early support to the struggle against apartheid came in plenty last year, when states honoured freedom fighter and world leader, Nelson Mandela, the truth is that support came only slowly and gradually.
In the spirit of Nelson Mandela, and the core principles of justice, equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, the world must now commit to ending caste discrimination – with the same resolve with which it fought against apartheid. Dalits and human rights defenders in South Asia struggle for justice with courage and awe-inspiring determination. In this struggle, they deserve nothing less than the unwavering support and solidarity of every human being who believes in equality and justice for all.
Rikke Nöhrlind
Executive Director