UN resolution to study plight of Dalits welcomed by Dalit organization

New Delhi – The United Nations (UN) resolution on the appointment of Special Rapporteurs to study the condition of communities suffering from "work and descent–based discrimination" has been welcomed by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR).

The United Nations had passed a resolution recently in its 61st UN session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, to study the condition of Dalits or low caste people in India and other parts of the world and to recommend ways to improve their socio–economic status.

As per the resolution adopted under “Discrimination based on Work and Descent,” two Special Rapporteurs – Yozo Yokota of Japan and Chin–Sung Chung of South Korea – have been appointed to study issues that confront the Dalit population. They will undertake a three–year study, and will put together a draft set of principles and guidelines to eliminate the form of discrimination under scrutiny.

The UN officials will interact with governments, voluntary groups, national institutions and communities to prepare a report that will recommend measures to improve the situation of Dalits.

Dalits, an estimated 170 million population strong, are found mostly in India, due to caste system inherent in the majority Hindu community. However, discrimination against Dalits is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and many African countries. They are also some ex–slave communities in Latin American countries who are discriminated due to their work and descent.

The Delhi based National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights is a Non–Governmental Organisation involved in fighting caste based discrimination.

In a statement issued recently, the NCDHR general secretary, J. Vincent Manoharan, said that it was a belated victory in the international recognition of the plight of Dalits. "I also recognize and welcome the stand of the recently elected Indian Government which did not come in the way of the passing and adoption of this resolution," he said.

According to news reports, the NCDHR feels that this study will help Dalits in India to pressure the Government and the U.N. mechanism for the effective implementation of the Constitutional guarantee, special legislation and all other affirmative actions to be suggested by the two special reporters for addressing the issue of caste–based discrimination and for the overall empowerment of Dalits and other marginalized communities in the world.