MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Caste Discrimination in India

11.12.2012 - (2012/2909(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Fiorello Provera, Lorenzo Fontana, Mara Bizzotto, Oreste Rossi, Jaroslav Paška, Rolandas Paksas on behalf of the EFD Group

B7‑0564/2012

European Parliament resolution on Caste Discrimination in India

(2012/2909(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights in India, in particular that of 1 February 2007,

 

- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas the Government of India has opposed efforts to place the issue of caste discrimination on the agenda of the international community;

 

B. whereas the caste system is outlawed in India, yet legislation is poorly implemented which affects the country's 200 million Dalits who continue to suffer from discrimination and many are forced into prostitution and other forms of modern slavery;

 

C. whereas India's caste system is deeply rooted and in rural areas, people are still born into their caste and occupations, and live isolated since they are considered "untouchable";

 

D. whereas Dalits are segregated in housing, schools and access to public services and are focused to work in degrading conditions and are routinely abused by the police and upper caste community members;

 

E: whereas there are frequent caste-motivated killings, rapes and other abuses;

 

F. whereas there are a number of affirmative action programmes, yet many Dalits find it hard to break out of the cycle of poverty and are not fully from India's economic growth;

 

G. whereas since 1996 the Government of India has argued that caste falls outside the scope of the International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD);

 

1. Encourages India to take the lead in the global struggle against this form of discrimination that affects 260 million people around the globe;

 

2. Urges the international community to call for effective implementation of law and policies to address caste-related human rights violations in India;

 

3. Calls on the Indian government to allow Dalits greater opportunities to participate in public life and have full representation in the media, police, government offices and the courts;

 

4. Urges India to help support literacy and education programmes which will help Dalits break free from the poverty trap;

 

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments of the Member States, the President, the Government and Parliament of India, the UN Secretary-General, and the heads of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization, the UNICEF, the World Bank and the International Monetary.