*US House of Representatives outlaws caste discrimination in India* A group 3 times the size of the UK population is affected by caste discrimination in India
It is in the interests of the United States to address the problem of the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India in order to better meet mutual social development and human rights goals... Part of the wording of the Resolution on caste discriminationThe US House of Representatives has passed a historic resolution pledging to outlaw caste discrimination in India - one of its "closest allies" which is likely to impact organizations in India that do business with or receive funding from the US government. The resolution, passed at the 110th congress, was introduced by Congressman Trent Franks and 31 co-sponsors on May 2 and was passed on July 23. The introduction of the resolution followed a damning report on the scale of caste discrimination in India by Human Rights Watch and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, released in February of this year. The report highlights the fact that caste discrimination affects around 200,000,000 people categorised as Dalits (untouchables) and Tribals (indigenous peoples) and that although Article 17 of the Indian Constitution outlaws untouchability, in reality the practice still exists and is widespread. The resolution states: "It is in the interests of the United States to address the problem of the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India in order to better meet mutual social development and human rights goals..." It further states that Dalit organizations should be included in the planning and implementation of development projects carried out by the United States Agency for International Development. Any organizations receiving funding from the Indian government where the source of the funds is the US, must not engage in caste discrimination or discourage Dalits from working in their organizations. They must also adopt procedures which address caste discrimination in employment conditions, wages or benefits. The rules also apply to US citizens working in India who must "avoid discrimination towards the Dalits in all business interactions" which includes a ban on discussing issues of caste during bilateral and multilateral meetings. In May 2007 when he proposed the resolution, Congressman Franks said in an address to the House: "This Congress must urge an end to the social discrimination and injustice faced by nearly 250 million people known as Dalits and Tribals in India." He said that the resolution sends a strong message by Congress "that untouchability is an unacceptable practice in America's largest trading partner and close ally...this resolution will ensure that we as a government and as a people in no way encourage or enforce untouchability through our policies with India or through our foreign direct aid." "Today's resolution is an historic event," Paul Guthrie, founder of the Black Buddhist Community in America told Black Briain. "House Concurrent Resolution 139 sends a clear message that caste discrimination is unacceptable in the modern world. The Black Buddhist Community in America commends congress for rejecting the notion of discrimination based on descent. Now the United States Government must implement the necessary programs to help eradicate the evil effects of caste across India and around the world." Co-sponsors of the resolution include US Congressional Black Caucus members: Rep. Yvette Clarke [D-NY], Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX], Carolyn Kilpatrick [D-MI], John Lewis [D-GA] Eleanor Norton [D-DC], Bobby Rush [D-IL], Robert Scott [D-VA] and Diane Watson [D-CA] <http://adserver.colourfulnetwork.net/a.aspx?ZoneID=4&Task=Click&Mode=HTML&SiteID=1&PageID=51958> -- Ranjit --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
