UNTOUCHABLES IN INDIA

Early day motion 1209, tabled 26 March 2007 by Edward Davey (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 56 members.

That this House expresses its concern regarding the status of over 160 million Dalits in India who remain socially oppressed by a rigid Hindu caste system; recognises that women represent a particularly vulnerable part of the Dalit population, many of whom are currently forced to endure sexual violence and prostitution; understands that a lack of response from Indian state administrators to caste-related violence and oppression exposes failure to ensure equal protection under the law, most notably in circumstances involving police brutality; and calls upon the Government to place diplomatic pressure on the Indian government to adopt the recent recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and implement the measures necessary for the integration of progressive social and economic change.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.