Wer sind Dalits?
Nach offiziellen Angaben gibt es in Indien mehr als 200 Millionen Dalits, in Bangladesch sind es zwischen 3,5 und 5,5 Millionen, in Nepal zwischen 3,6 und 5 Millionen.
Dalits („die Gebrochenen“) wurden früher als „Unberührbare“ deklassiert. „Unberührbar“ ist man von Geburt an – und im Gegensatz zur Klassenzugehörigkeit können „Unberührbare“ ihren Status im Kastensystem nicht verändern. Nach den heiligen Schriften im Hinduismus gelten Dalits als „unrein“ und werden deshalb ausgegrenzt. Dalits kämpfen gegen diese Diskriminierung und Ausbeutung.
mehr Information unter Kaste und Diskriminierung
Dalit-Geschichten
Alltagsgeschichten aus dem Leben von Dalits - ein animierter Kurzfilm (2:20 min)
Dalits werden in Indien auf unterschiedliche Weise diskriminiert. Der Film erzählt kurze Geschichten, die Dalits in Indien selbst erlebt haben. Dabei wird deutlich, wie sich die Diskriminierung in Städten und auf dem Land unterscheidet.

„Als Kind wurde ich in der Schule „Shit of a crow“ (Krähenkacke) von den Angehörigen dominanter Kasten genannt.“

„Obwohl ich Dalit bin, habe ich eine kaufmännische Ausbildung gemacht, konnte aber wegen meiner Kastenzugehörigkeit keine Arbeit in diesem Bereich finden. Weil ich kastenlos bin, hat mich die Dorfverwaltung zur Latrinenreinigung eingestellt.“

„Wenn ich in der Schule etwas trinken möchte, darf ich nicht den Brunnen wie die anderen benutzen. Ich muss nach Hause gehen, dort etwas trinken, weil sie sagen, dass ich den Brunnen verschmutze.“
News
- 03.02.2026
States urge Nepal to strengthen action against caste discrimination in 2026 UN rights review outcome
During Nepal’s fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR), UN Member States’ recommendations called for stronger action against caste-based discrimination, “untouchability”, and related patterns of exclusion and violence affecting Dalits, including Dalit women and Dalit children. Nepal’s review took place on 21 January 2026 during the […]
The post States urge Nepal to strengthen action against caste discrimination in 2026 UN rights review outcome appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 14.12.2025
IDSN highlights milestone and the need to address caste discrimination at ICERD 60th Anniversary
On 4 December 2025, the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) joined global human rights leaders at United Nations HQ in Geneva for the High-Level Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the International Convention on the […]
The post IDSN highlights milestone and the need to address caste discrimination at ICERD 60th Anniversary appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 12.12.2025
IDSN delegation highlights urgent concerns ahead of Nepal’s 2026 UN rights review
From 24–28 November, IDSN facilitated a delegation of Dalit human rights defenders from Nepal to come to Geneva for advocacy meetings ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pre-session of Nepal, as well as participation […]
The post IDSN delegation highlights urgent concerns ahead of Nepal’s 2026 UN rights review appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 01.12.2025
UN Minority Forum: Dalit activists call for action on caste-based violence, intersectional discrimination, shrinking civic space and labour rights
At the Eighteenth session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues in 2025, IDSN delegates highlighted the urgent need to address caste discrimination, violence and exclusion across South Asia. Dalit delegates from South Asia raised […]
The post UN Minority Forum: Dalit activists call for action on caste-based violence, intersectional discrimination, shrinking civic space and labour rights appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 01.12.2025
IDSN joins UN, the city of Geneva and civil society to honour artists at the International Art Contest for Minority Artists
On 25 November, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Freemuse, the City of Geneva and Minority Rights Group (MRG) announced the 2025 winners of the fourth edition of the International Art […]
The post IDSN joins UN, the city of Geneva and civil society to honour artists at the International Art Contest for Minority Artists appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 30.11.2025
IDSN at the Business and Human Rights Forum: Advancing caste-responsive due diligence
At the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, the IDSN #DalitVoicesUN delegation engagement underscored the urgent need to recognise caste discrimination in global supply chains and human-rights due diligence. Through active engagement in […]
The post IDSN at the Business and Human Rights Forum: Advancing caste-responsive due diligence appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 18.11.2025
UN Advocacy Update: June–November 2025
Over the past months, IDSN has been actively engaging across the UN Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and with several Special Rapporteurs to ensure that addressing caste discrimination remain firmly on the international human […]
The post UN Advocacy Update: June–November 2025 appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 02.11.2025
Women Leading Change in Global Supply Chains: Key insights from webinar co-organised by IDSN
On 30 October 2025, IDSN, Ethical Trade Denmark, Ethical Trade Norway and the Ethical Trading Initiative UK organised a members-only webinar on ’Women Leading Change in Global Supply Chains – Ways Forward for HRDD in 2025’. […]
The post Women Leading Change in Global Supply Chains: Key insights from webinar co-organised by IDSN appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 30.10.2025
Strengthening UN response to addressing caste discrimination: IDSN contributes to global community of practice
In October, IDSN contributed to a global Community of Practice session hosted by the UN Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, bringing together UN staff from around the world working in contexts where […]
The post Strengthening UN response to addressing caste discrimination: IDSN contributes to global community of practice appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.
- 18.07.2025
IDSN delegation visits Brussels to advocate for EU action on caste discrimination
IDSN coordinated a weeklong advocacy visit to Brussels in June, bringing together six representatives from marginalized caste groups across South Asia. Delegates included: Dharsika Sivapragasam (Human Development Organization – Sri Lanka), Swapon Das (DALIT Khulna – Bangladesh), Sushil BK (Dalit NGO […]
The post IDSN delegation visits Brussels to advocate for EU action on caste discrimination appeared first on International Dalit Solidarity Network.







