VI. Article 3: Prevent, prohibit and eradicate caste-based segregation

Article 3: States Parties particularly condemn racial segregation and apartheid and undertake to prevent, prohibit and eradicate all practices of this nature in territories under their jurisdiction.

Although there is no de jure policy of segregation in India, Dalits are subject to de facto segregation in all spheres, including housing, the enjoyment of public services (see Section VIII(F)(1)), and education (see Sections VIII(E)(5)(a) and VIII(F)(1)(c)).[135] This widespread segregation has led to a description of the practice of "untouchability" as India's "hidden apartheid."[136] However, India's periodic report fails to provide any information about segregation, instead confining the information provided under Article 3 to India's support for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and its participation in the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intoleranceheld in Durban in 2001.[137] Tellingly, India lobbied furiously against the inclusion of any references to caste discrimination, or discrimination on the basis of "work and descent," in the final conference documents.[138]

A.Segregated housing colonies for Dalits

Residential segregation is prevalent across the country, and is the rule rather than the exception.[139] Most Dalits in rural areas live in segregated colonies, away from the upper-caste residents.[140] This segregation is not limited to rural environments (see Section VIII(E)(3)(b)). Government programs for Dalit housing maintain the existing spatial segregation.[141] Basic residential services such as water are segregated by caste, meaning that Dalits are forbidden from using the water sources and toilet tanks used by non-Dalits.[142] The State provides poorer quality facilities for Dalit colonies and sometimes does not provide any of the facilities that are provided to non-Dalit colonies;[143] for example, medical facilities and the better, thatched-roof houses exist exclusively in upper-caste colonies.[144] An extensive survey of 11 Indian states on the prevalence of "untouchability" in rural India (hereinafter the Untouchability in Rural India survey) found that Dalits were denied entry into upper-caste homes in more than 50 percent of villages studied.[145]

B.Segregation in relief camps

Dalits are segregated in disaster relief efforts (see Section V(A)(1)(b)).

C.Segregation in schools

Dalit children and teachers are segregated from their counterparts in schools (see Sections VIII(E)(5)(a) and VIII(F)(1)(c)).

D.Segregation in public life

Dalits are prohibited from using public services and entering private businesses (see Section VIII(F)).