The motion was brought in by Greens senator Lee Rhiannon and Labor Senator Claire Moore. The resolution asked the Australian government to “strengthen the policy and human rights dialogues and promote joint initiatives to eliminate DWD with the governments of states, such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.”
Senator Lee Rhiannon told SBS Hindi that Dalits have a very strong case. She said, “The discrimination the people have suffered over many years shouldn’t continue, and people who are considered so-called lower in status often end up being isolated physically, socially and politically.”
The resolution calls on the Australian government to “encourage Australian business partners to promote more inclusive recruitment and management practices in countries where caste discrimination is prevalent.”
Labor senator Claire Moore believes that this motion has brought an important message to people’s attention. “We thought it was an important message that we could take to the Senate about the outstanding needs to these people need to be understood, and some recognition is given to them,” senator Moor said to SBS Hindi.
Dalit, or untouchable, farmers work in a field in village Deora of Uttar Pradesh state, about 310 miles southeast of New Delhi, India. Source: AAP-AP-Ajay Kumar Singh
Dalits are the people who belong to the so-called lower caste in the Hindu caste system.
Ms Rhianon says the achievement of this motion is to set out many requirements on the Australian government. “The key one is to ensure the humanitarian aid is delivered to all marginalised groups including those people suffering based on work and descent. So the first point is to take up the issue of overseas aid. Then we also need to strengthen the ‘Human Rights Dialogues’ the policy that is being developed. So, there again is a more joint initiative to eliminate discrimination based on work and descent. Moreover, Also to provide support to projects combating such discriminations. So the motion passed identified what the problem is and put forward some key objectives the Australian government should follow,” said Rhianon.
According to the UN's Special Rapporteur on minority issues, "the term “caste” refers to a strictly hierarchical social system that is often based on the notions of purity and pollution, in which individuals placed at the bottom of the system may face exclusion and discrimination in a wide range of areas. The concept of “caste system” is primarily associated with the South Asian region, where its existence is linked to the religiously sanctioned social structure of Hinduism, which identified four original and endogamous groups, or castes, called varnas."
The government of Australia told the Senate during the motion that it is providing many initiatives in South Asia to combat discrimination based on work and descent, including caste and untouchability.
"Through our development program, we work with NGOs in India to tackle discrimination of scheduled castes and tribes. We are assisting in the development of traditional local governance structures to help communities build linkages with the government to access funds and entitlements, with 4,773 beneficiaries. In Bangladesh, DFAT-funded activities have supported work with NGOs to develop livelihood opportunities for marginalised communities. We advocate on behalf of minority communities in Pakistan and work to ensure that marginalised groups have equal access to humanitarian assistance in Pakistan," said Senator James McGrath.
Follow SBS Hindi on Facebook for more.
Share
