TOP > Descent-based discrimination

Descent-based discrimination

There are approximately 260 million people worldwide who are discriminated against on the basis of work or descent (i.e. familial lineage or social origin). This type of discrimination is primarily characterized by one’s lineage (a type of group membership decided by birth), occupation (associated with the characteristics of one’s job or labor specialization and its functional role within society), and notions of purity and impurity (defilement). Those suffering most from this kind of discrimination include the Dalit (frequently referred to as “untouchables”) of South Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the Buraku people of Japan, “the caste people” of west Africa, as well as a variety of other communities throughout other African countries. This type of caste discrimination also exists among diasporic Indian communities in Europe and other locations.

Several governments, particularly those of India and Japan, have established administrative mechanisms, in general or constitutional law, aimed at resolving this discrimination.

However, the majority of these mechanisms are insufficiently enforced or insufficiently address the effects of custom in perpetuating discrimination, and many of the people belonging to these groups continue to experience discrimination and social exclusion in their daily lives.

IMADR has teamed up with a variety of researchers, NGOs and other organizing groups, primarily those led by Dalit or Buraku people, to bring discrimination based on “work and descent” to the attention of international society. Also, working toward the elimination of discrimination, IMADR supports the organizing of those who face discrimination; IMADR is working to strengthen an international network focused on the elimination of discrimination by fostering exchange between Buraku and Dalit people. The establishment of daycare centers for Dalit children is one activity resulting from this international exchange. IMADR is also actively working to establish international human rights standards in the field of work and descent.

Empowerment of Dalits

In India there are approximately 16 million Dalit (which means “oppressed people”). They are defined as “untouchables” by the caste system and occupy the lowest level of society. Dalit people’s use of water wells is limited, they face restrictions on entering temples or residences of higher caste people, their ability to own land is limited, and their residences are frequently isolated and sequestered from the rest of the population.

read more »

Dalit children’s daycare centers

Since 2004 IMADR has worked with its South Indian Tamil Nadu partner, the Society for Rural Education and Development (SRED) for the establishment of “Dalit Children’s Day Care Centers.” These efforts are born out of joint activities between Dalit and Buraku people in their efforts to exchange experiences and learn of each other’s situations.

read more »

Work and descent-based discrimination at the UN

Until recently, caste discrimination and Buraku discrimination have been dealt with only within their respective countries; international society, exemplified by such organizations as the United Nations, has done little to resolve these issues on an international level. IMADR has partnered with Buraku and Dalit people, with researchers, and with domestic and international organizations to raise awareness of this type of discrimination as a phenomenon shared across the globe and has introduced the category of discrimination based on “work and descent” as a means of organizing together around shared experiences of discrimination.

read more »