International Dalit Solidarity Network

The International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) was founded in 2000 to advocate for Dalit human rights and to raise awareness of Dalit issues nationally and internationally. IDSN is the worlds premier organisation leading the global struggle to end caste based discrimination and untouchability practices. And ultimately to end discrimination based on caste. IDSN is a network of international human rights groups, development agencies, national Dalit solidarity networks from Europe, and national platforms in caste-affected countries.IDSN links grassroots movements in Asia and Africa to the UN, EU and other multilateral institutions to help inform policies and devise strategies to ensure Dalit rights.

Caste based discrimination remains one of the most serious human rights challenges of our time. Over 260 million people worldwide are subject to extreme forms of discrimination, segregation,exploitation, violence and torture, all because of the caste into which they are born.
Dalits face widespread discrimination, which imposes enormous obstacles to the full attainment of human, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. They are still segregated in housing, schools, and have limited access to public services, employment, and resources such as land and markets. They are often forced to work in degrading conditions, and routinely abused by the police and upper-caste com-munity members who enjoy the state’s protection. This entrenched discrimination violates Dalits’ rights to education, health, water, housing, property, freedom of religion, free choice of employment, and equal treatment before the law. Caste-based violence and killings, slavery and forced labour and other crimes against Dalits in South Asia is rampant.

IDSN and its network has had a significant impact on the internationalisation of caste discrimination as a critical human rights issue. Through engagement with UN, EU and other multilateral institutions, IDSN has successfully lobbied for action-oriented approaches to address ‘untouchability’ and other human rights abuses against Dalits and similar communities that suffer discrimination on the basis of work and descent.While progress has been made in some countries in respect of new or amended legal and policy frame-works, weak institutions and lack of effective outreach severely hamper implementation. Dalits in South Asia continue to be disproportionately affected by exploitative labour arrangements, including bonded and child labour, and manual scavenging. Dalit women face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, as they are discriminated on the basis of caste as well as gender. They continue to be extremely vulnerable due to discrimination, social exclu-sion and widespread violence; women and girls affected by caste-based discrimination are particularly vulnerable to various forms of sexual violence, forced and ritual prostitution, trafficking, and domestic and punitive violence when they seek justice for crimes committed. Crimes against Dalit women are committed with a high level of impunity for perpetrators, and sexual violence against Dalit women is commonly seen as a form of backlash against assertions of rights by Dalit communities at the local level

IDSN bases its work on contributions from members and associates. Joint interventions in the United Nations and the EU constitute a major part of IDSN’s activities. The network produces crucial input in the form of documentation, strategic interventions and lobby action and also supports national level lobbying. Interaction between members adds to the dynamics of the network.

The secretariat coordinates lobby and advocacy activities in close cooperation with members, associates and alliance partners. IDSN was formally registered as an organisation in October 2003.

EU human rights policies and development work - EIDHR, European Parliament, DEVCO, ECHO, Commission

1

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No lobbyists with EP accreditations

If necessary funding is obtained more staff will be involved in the activities as described.

Ms Rikke Nöhrlind (Executive Director)

Ms Rikke Nöhrlind (Executive Director)

III - Non-governmental organisations

Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar