INDIA DENIES CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION
According to a press release (February 25, 2007) of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), the Government of India continues to refuse the existence of caste-based discrimination as defined in the International Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
The Indian delegation made a statement that Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vyshyas, Soodras and Dalits no more exist in India. The independent experts reviewing India’s reports to the CERD Committee in Geneva refused to accept this and tried to persuade the delegates to accept the mistake in their position. India’s report was being reviewed by the UN treaty body, the CERD Committee, in Geneva on 23 February. The Indian contingent is led by the Indian Ambassador to Geneva along with a team of experts including the Solicitor General of India and Professor Deepankar Gupta and other senior government officials. The CERD Committee will continue its review on 26 February. Info: Tapan Kumar Bose (tbose@safhr.com)