Campaigns : Dalit Human Rights
National Consultation on Review of Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
 Pairvi organized a National Consultation on New Delhi. The objective of the Consultation was to review the progress at the national level for the Durban Review Conference. The National Consultation brought together 30 dalit and tribal rights activists from different states who shared the status of dalit rights and tribal communities in their respective state. Mr. K. B. Saxena (Retd. IAS, Land Reforms Commissioner and Social Justice Expert) said that international processes have limited utility in terms of influencing national policies and therefore the dalit organizations should actively build pressure at the national level.
National Consultation on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
Dalit organizations from 13 states of India demanded proper implementation of SC/ST Act, 1989 and appropriate amendments in the Act from political parties, in a National Consultation organized on SC/ST Act in Delhi on 20th and 21st March 2009. More than 50 dalit organizations and victims of atrocities participated in the two day National Consultation, which was attended by members of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), National Commission for Women (NCW) and other prominent social justice experts. Shri P. S. Krishnan, who authored the Act in 1989 as a Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare, speaking at the occasion said that political leadership has failed the dalits and the Act and the purpose of the Act has been defeated by its lackadaisical implementation.
Regional Workshop on Land Rights and Dalits in Bihar
 Pairvi believes that land is a major component in ensuring food security of the underprivileged population in rural India. In view of the lack of progress in land reforms in Bihar, a state workshop was organized on 7th and 8th September 2009 in which more than 30 dalit activists from 25 districts in Bihar participated and discussed the situation of land rights of dalits in their district. The current situation of land rights among dalits was also discussed. The ownership of land in dalit hands is minimal in state yet after major efforts to bring in proper land distribution among landless community. The dalit community possess only 2-3 percent of land and a large number of dalits do not have their own land for shelter.
Recently Pairvi has supported few partners in Bihar to undertake a local survey in their respective areas in order to take note of the land holdings of extremely vulnerable dalits in the state.
Regional Workshop on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
The issues of dignity of dalits has been a priority for Pairvi and a regional workshop was conducted to train youth on effective utilization of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act, 1989 in combination with RTI in Uttar Pradesh. The workshop was organized on 18th June 2009 as a follow up of National Consultation on SC/ST Act in March, which brought together more than 50 activists working on dalit atrocity in 15 states and provided recommendations on amendment and effective implementation of the Act.
Download Publications on Dalit Rights:
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Dalits in Election Manifestos: Who cares (April 2009)
The document offers a small peep into the thinking of scheme of political parties going into the election and even beyond that. This effort seeks to educate dalit brethren, civil society and everybody concerned and sensitive and cast their ballot based on the call of their conscience. The analysis reaches an inevitable conclusion which asks for more as we deserve more. Give us safety and security and equality of opportunity. Do not give us pre-determination of fate; give us the chance to draw our fate. Do not give us perfunctory promises; give us what belongs to us, a people, a country, and a future. |
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Expression of Concern for Durban Review Conference (April 2009)
The Statement of Concern was adopted on 13th April 2009 in a National Consultation of Dalit Human Rights in Delhi. The statement was expressed and brought into the notice of the Durban Review Conference and the government of India and other State parties. |
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Elect to End Atrocities: A Civil Society Initiative (April 2009)
The document highlights the issues of safety and security, their dignity, survival and well being of more than 240 million people in the country. In the context of forthcoming elections, the document demands to bring about appropriate amendments in the SC/ST Act, to ensure social and economic provisions to a sustained campaign against atrocity, and to respect global commitments towards ending discrimination against dalits including reconsideration of Government of India’s position on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. |
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