London MEP calls for action on caste discrimination in South Asia
02 June 2008
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, is today hosting a hearing and photoexhibition on caste discrimination in South Asia to push for internationalaction to help those worst affected by the system. The event is taking placein the European Parliament in Brussels and has been organized incollaboration with the International Dalit Solidarity Network.
Last year, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to urge the EuropeanCommission to develop a strategy for improving the lives of the Dalits inIndia. The Dalits form the social group at the bottom of the hierarchicalcaste system and as such they are perceived to be 'impure' and 'polluting'to other caste groups, being forced into poverty, life in slums and work inthe poorest conditions. They are also subject to a higher level of violenceand abuse.
Caste discrimination is also a major problem in the rest of South Asia, aswell as in many other parts of the world.
Jean Lambert MEP, who is a member of the Delegation on Relations with SouthAsia, said:
"We must show much more support to the struggle against castediscrimination. This requires action at all political levels in the EU andin the countries concerned."
Jean Lambert is sponsoring a brand new photo exhibition entitled "We are notuntouchable - 260 million reasons why Europe should act". The photographs,taken by award-winning Danish photographer, Jakob Carlsen, depict Dalitsliving in Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and are on display in theEuropean Parliament from 3-5 June.
While the plight of Dalits in India is fairly well documented, the situationof Dalits or "scheduled castes" in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistanis much less well known. New research, which spells out the socio-economicsituation of Dalits as well as the human rights violations committed againstthem, is also being launched today. Such information seldom ever reaches theagendas of EU officials.
"I reject the idea that some human beings are considered "impure" or"polluted" just because they were born into a certain caste. Everyone isentitled to basic human rights", Jean Lambert continued. "In the 21stcentury, no human being should be considered "untouchable".
The International Dalit Solidarity Network is based in Copenhagen, but withmembers and international associates worldwide, they work on a global levelto eliminate caste discrimination.
For a view of the exhibition online, go to www.idsn.org/wearenotuntouchable
