3—Memorandum
submitted by Dalit Solidarity Network (UK)
1. The Dalit Solidarity Network (UK) is
a charity which has worked on issues of caste discrimination in
South Asia and other parts of the world since 1998. It aims
to build awareness of the effects of caste discrimination in India,
the other countries of South Asia, Japan and several countries
in Africa where discrimination by work and descent occurs. The
DSN (UK) is a member body of the International Dalit Solidarity
Network based in Copenhagen which has member bodies in several
different countries.
2. This memorandum is addressed in part
to the coherence of DFID's policies and practices with other government
departments and to development co-operation in the European Union,
where there is an increasing awareness of the effects of caste
discrimination in South Asia. Our remarks are addressed in particular
to Section 3 in the Report, "Reducing Poverty in Asia".
3. DSN believes that the Report does not
take sufficiently seriously the contribution of caste discrimination
as a cause of poverty in India and the other countries of South
Asia. The Report itself states that one-third of the world's poor
live in India (3.45), the great majority of these are Dalits and
hence 25-30% of the world's poor will not be properly helped if
caste discrimination is not vigorously addressed. As an example,
on page 55, in relation to "Progress towards the Millennium
Development Goals", the Report believes that more progress
is needed if the MDGs are to be met, "particularly on gender
equity". We strongly believe a phrase such as "and on
ending caste discrimination" should have been added. On the
same page, in relation to Tsunami relief, information is increasing
that Dalits have been discriminated against in the relief and
reconstruction programme, in fact we understand that some have
still not received any assistance more than a year after the event.
4. In the sections which relate to India
there is very little reference to caste discrimination. For example
in Box 3c in relation to the SSA programme in India there is no
reference to its effect in limiting access for children to school.
We noted the references to caste in paragraphs 3.45 and 3.51 but
we still believe the overall analysis is weak.
5. We could not see any reference at all
to the issue of caste discrimination in the material on Nepal,
Bangladesh or Pakistan, yet there is increasing evidence that
caste plays a crucial role in preventing the poorest in those
countries to escape from their poverty.
6. Our communications with the EU, the European
Parliament and the other European countries are increasing and
although there is growing awareness of caste again insufficient
action is directed towards it. We understand the issue is not
yet an integral part of EU Development programmes in caste-affected
countries.
7. We would wish however to record our support
for a great deal of the work that DFID does. The Department has
begun to listen to our concerns on caste discrimination and we
hope to work with the Department and the Committee more effectively
on this issue in the future. Finally we would comment in passing
that DFID seems increasingly unable to fund small organisations
such as our own. Too many administrative hurdles make success
very difficult, far more seems to be spent on consultants than
campaigners.
June 2006
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