In much of Asia and parts of Africa racism has become coterminous with caste in the definition and exclusion of distinct population groups distinguished by their descent. Despite formal protections in law, discriminatory treatment remains endemic and discriminatory societal norms continue to be reinforced by government structures ranging from the police and the lower courts to state and municipal authorities. Express recognition is required that caste-based discrimination bars millions from the exercise of their civil and political, and their economic, social, and cultural rights — a precondition for international programs to support the abolition of caste discrimination and to remedy abuses.

Background Caste Discrimination: A Global Concern Human Rights Watch report, August 29, 2001 Senior Researcher Smita Narula on NPR's The Connection Real Audio, August 7, 2001 Caste: Asia's Hidden Apartheid HRW Press Kit End Global Caste Discrimination Human Rights Watch release, March 2001 Broken People: Caste Violence Against India's "Untouchables" Human Rights Watch report, 1999 Violence Against `Untouchables' Growing, Says Report: Indian Government Fails to Prevent Massacres, Rapes, and Exploitation Human Rights Watch release, April 1999 Caste at the World Conference Against Racism India: Spotlight on Caste Discrimination September 11, 2001 Draft Resolution on Discrimination Based on Work and Descent May 12, 2001 Discrimination on the basis of occupation and descent in the WCAR preparatory processes May 2001 Statement by the International Dalit Solidarity Network on Discrimination on the Basis of Caste In French May 2001 NGO Statement to the Asian Preparatory Meeting for the World Confrerence Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance April 11, 2001 Final Declaration of the Global Conference Against Racism and Caste-based Discrimination Occupation and Descent-based Discrimination Against Dalits March 1 2001 Indian Government Tries to Block Caste Discussion Human Rights Watch release, February 2001

Demonstration in front of the Indian Embassy in New York to protest the government's stance on the inclusion of caste based discrimination at the UN World Conference Against Racism. The demonstration is part of a global protest taking place simultaneously on July 3, 2001 in London, Hong Kong, Delhi, Manila, Chicago, Washington, the Netherlands, and Germany. © 2001 Human Rights Watch Related Links: Racism & Human Rights Human Rights Watch Special Focus page Photo Gallery What You Can Do National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights International Campaign On Dalit Human Rights