TOP > Descent-based discrimination > Description

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.