The 2007 Rafto Prize is awarded to The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), India for its brave struggle to promote Dalit rights, and for its efforts to emphasise that the discrimination and oppression resulting from caste prejudice is a serious violation of international human rights. Right, Vincent Manoharan, General Secretary of NCDHR. (20-SEP-07)
Gunta Venge/Rafto Human Rights House. Based on the Rafto Foundation´s press release. Photo of Manoharan: Jacob Carlsen, other photos: Timothy Gill and Folkekirkens Nødhjælp.
Of India’s 1 billion citizens, 167 million are labelled as ‘impure’,‘casteless’ or ‘untouchable’. These people have named themselves Dalits, meaning ‘the oppressed’. The identity of the Dalit people, and their struggle for dignity and basic human rights, has been formed through thousands of years of humiliation, discrimination, and exclusion.
Dalits are refused equal access to education and health services, experience harsh discrimination in social and religious life, and are excluded from all but the most menial of jobs. In many areas, Dalits have their property taken away from them, and are forced to relocate to other villages and towns against their will. Every day, the Indian police and the judicial system turn a blind eye while Dalits are subjected to caste-motivated murder, rape, and harassment.
Press release, together with more pictures, video and documents is available at www.rafto.no
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