Dalits, literally meaning "broken people", are at the bottom of India’s caste system. The National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) received the Rafto Prize in 2007 for its struggle in promoting the rights of Dalits.

Human rights violations against Dalits
Despite the legislation that makes caste discrimination illegal, the practice of ‘untouchability’ is widespread and common and affects most of the day-to-day activities of Dalits.

This discrimination means that access to housing, education, health services is limited, as are their opportunities in the job market. In addition, cases of violence, assault and abuse against Dalits are common and frequent. Caste discrimination has been receiving more international attention lately, which raises hope for a possible improvement in their situation.    

Caste discrimination – priority for the UN for 2010-2011
The new strategic management plan for United Nations human rights programme names caste discrimination as one of the priorities for 2010 – 2011.

Already in the course of 2009 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, expressed her support for the struggle against caste discrimination in the article "Tearing down the wall of caste", where she stated that "the time has come to eradicate the shameful concept of caste" and that "we can and must tear down the barriers of caste".

This gives new incentives for the Dalits’ struggle as their cause receives wider international attention. 

Caste discrimination among Asians in UK
Earlier this spring, UK opened for a debate and possible legislation, making caste-based discrimination illegal in UK. According to a report by the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, caste discrimination is also extensive in UK among citizens with South Asian origins.

A UK daily newspaper, the Telegraph, wrote in March this year about India’s opposition to the new UK Equality Bill. Although, there have been discussions internationally about including caste discrimination in the international human rights regime, India is opposing it. The new legislation in UK, however, would put greater pressure on the UN to acknowledge caste discrimination as a form of racism.

Vincent Manoharan, Secretary General of the NCDHR, who received the Rafto Prize in 2007, comments in an e-mail to the Rafto Foundation on the process in UK: "The UK Equality bill has not included ‘caste’ as of now, but it has given a leverage to the concerned Minister that if caste is found as a source of discrimination, he could include the same within the purview of the Act, later.

Due to this position, UK Government has appointed a committee to study this issue and the process is in progress. Therefore, Caste has not yet found a place in the newly enacted legislation. All organisations including Dalit Solidarity Network UK, where I play a role, are on the job to appraise the concerned committee with clear cases of discrimination based on caste in UK".  

Legislation – not only solution
Legislation can provide an important legal tool to support the human rights of Dalits, but legislation is not the sole solution. As Moni Rani, a Dalit woman, said in an interview to the Guardian in autumn 2009: "If you are not considered to be human, human rights do not apply to you" and a more extensive approach is needed to lift Dalits out of their segregated and discriminated status in their own societies". 

International Dalit Solidarity Network
For more information on caste discrimination, the latest news, international advocacy, videos and photos, see the webpage of the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN).

Find out two articles that share the fact that caste discrimination persists among Asians in UK:
Eastern Eye of 25 June 2010 "Caste a Shadow: Discrimination victims ‘suffering in silence’" and The Times of 5 July 2010 "Forbidden love: no redress for couples divided by caste".

HRH Bergen, based on article published at www.rafto.no