VIOLENCE WITH IMPUNITY AGAINST DALITS IN INDIA

Early day motion 1604, tabled 5 June 2007 by Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing violence with impunity against Dalits in India (formerly called untouchables); recalls the tragic murder of Surekha, Priyanka, Sudhir and Roshan Bhotmange in Khairlanji village in September 2006; regrets the chronic deficiencies in the investigation and the lack of prosecution of negligent police officers involved in the case; notes that official figures record approximately 26,000 atrocities against Dalits every year; further notes that this statistic is unlikely to represent the true extent of violence; further notes a recent study on untouchability in rural India finding that Dalits faced discrimination in their access to police stations in 28 per cent. of villages and in their treatment in police stations in 32 per cent. of villages; further notes the European Parliament Resolution of 1st February on the human rights situation of the Dalits in India; recognises the existence of legislation to protect Dalits from caste-based violence and humiliation in India; and calls upon the UK Government to make representations to the Indian government to urge the effective implementation of laws protecting Dalits from violent attacks.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 13, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 2, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.