I am speaking on behalf of Anti-Slavery International, a supporter of the Dalit Solidarity Network in the United Kingdom. Anti-Slavery is particularly concerned over the role of caste in the debt bondage system and the serious deprivation of human rights this represents. Dalits are the people relegated to below the caste system in the countries of South Asia and their diaspora. In India, home to most of the world's Dalits, they account for around 17 per cent of the population, some 170 millions, or 250 millions if the Adivasi or tribal peoples are also included. Dalits and Adivasis have the lowest standard of living, the poorest land and the worst jobs. For example, an estimated three quarters of a million Dalits are still engaged in the cleaning of dry toilets, and carrying excrement away from caste areas to dumps near their own communities. For this they earn just a few rupees a month. Despite the Indian Parliament having outlawed such discriminatory practices and despite untouchability being outlawed in the Constitution, Dalits are still denied many human rights including those of education, employment, access to water and even voting in elections.

When Dalits protest about their oppression they often experience violence from the authorities. On 31st January 2000 two Dalits youths were killed in the Punjab by police gunfire in a protest over rises in bus fares. At a demonstration in Bangalore on March 3rd a police lathi charge led to the death of Nagaraju, a 35-year-old Dalit from Kogilu village. On 1 7h March in Agra a 23-year-old Dalits woman, Sukhvir Devi, made the mistake of crossing the path of Virendra and Vijay Pal while carrying an empty vessel. This is deemed to be bad luck and the men jumped from their tractor, tried to strangle the young woman, then stripped her and beat her so badly that she died. The local police claimed that, although there were witnesses, no-one would give a statement. Dalits are often too scared to give evidence in these incidents for fear of themselves being arrested.

There are ongoing tensions between Dalits and caste people in many places, which can erupt in horrifying violence. On March 12th in Kambalapalli village in the Kolar District of Karnataka State in South India, as a result of an ongoing feud a member of the dominant Reddy community was stabbed to death. In retaliation 200 members of that community gathered and burned down two houses killing seven Dalits, including a grandmother of 70, and seriously injuring three others. Under pressure from community organisations, opposition parties and after international protest the Karnataka Chief Minister has announced an enquiry by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation.

These are recent examples of violations of the most fundamental of human rights, ie, the right to life. This situation of low-intensity conflict is now being drawn to the attention of national parliaments, including that of the United Kingdom, where a motion on Dalit Rights in India has received support from MPs of the three major parties. Anti-Slavery International, in company with the Dalit Solidarity Network, calls on all Governments to work with the Governments of South Asia to tackle the deep and complex problem of caste. Otherwise the level of violence against Dalits resisting casteism in a number of countries is likely to rise and the human rights reputation of those countries where casteism is prevalent will be seriously damaged. The mechanisms by which this might be done could include a special Working Group on Casteism, perhaps leading to the appointment of a Special Rapporteur. This very serious situation needs urgently to be addressed by the international community.

I am most grateful to the Commission for this opportunity.




Mike Dottridge

Director, Anti-Slavery International