Bigotry based on the idea of 'caste' has no place in modern Britain.
We want to see those at risk of caste discrimination protected by UK law.
'Caste' systems are rooted in ancient religious and cultural beliefs. They are imbued with inequality and discrimination, and are wholly incompatible with human rights.
There are an estimated 50,000 – 200,000 people in the UK who are regarded by some as 'low caste' (sometimes known as 'dalits') and at risk of caste discrimination. There is evidence of caste-based discrimination and harassment present in employment, education and in the provision of services.
Caste-based prejudice and discrimination is a gross violation of human rights and must not be tolerated. All individuals have the right to protection against discrimination on the basis of their caste or perceived caste, in the same way that they do on the basis of race or gender
Our equality laws do not explicitly deal with the issue of caste, meaning victims of caste discrimination have to use unclear and precarious case law to secure justice. Both parliament and the United Nation Human Rights Council have called on the government to explicitly outlaw caste-based discrimination, but it has delayed doing so for years.
It's time to outlaw caste discrimination.
Take action!
1. Have you experienced caste discrimination? Report it!
The Dalit Solidarity Network's "everyday casteism" campaign is cataloguing instances of casteist behaviour, including incidents of discriminatory or caste hate speech behaviour, experienced on a day to day basis by people perceived to be 'lower' caste in the UK.
If you have been affected by caste discrimination, please consider reporting it to them.
You can also report caste discrimination to the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance here.
2. Write to your MP
Tell your MP that it's time to outlaw caste discrimination.
3. Join the National Secular Society
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
Report: equality law failing to protect people from faith-based discrimination
Posted: Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:50
Equality law is failing to protect the non-religious and members of religious minorities from discrimination, a National Secular Society report has warned.
The report, which marks the 10th anniversary of Equality Act, says religious exceptions within the act mean discrimination against the non-religious and members of religious minorities remains lawful across key areas of public life.
Faith-shaped holes: how religiously privilege undermines equality law calls for the closure of the legal loopholes that allow faith-based discrimination to continue.
The report says "glaring gaps" in equality legislation are "leading to undesirable and unnecessary religious discrimination, fuelling societal segregation, and reducing opportunities for people because of who they are or what they believe".
It says reform is needed in relation to education, caste-based discrimination, and employment. It adds that those "already struggling on the margins of society" are most likely to be negatively impacted by religious exemptions and omissions in the Act.
Education
On education, it says "exceptions to accommodate faith schools, faith-based admissions and religious practice in schools" are leading to a level of religious discrimination that "would not be tolerated in any other area of society".
In one of many testimonies highlighted in the report, one parent writes: "My daughter has no school to go to in her borough due to draconian and discriminatory criteria used by faith schools."
It recommends that the government removes exceptions that enable state-funded schools to discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion or belief. This would include the removal of the requirement for all state schools to hold acts of collective worship.
It would also mean the end of discrimination in faith school admissions and recruitment, and the discrimination caused by curricula that favour particular religions.
Caste-based discrimination
The report notes that caste-based discrimination and harassment have "become a feature of British life".
It notes evidence suggesting "tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands" of people are affected, and calls on ministers to add 'caste' as a protected characteristic under the act.
Employment
The report says an exception in the act which allows employers to discriminate on the basis of religion or belief when there is a 'genuine occupational requirement' is "being overused".
It recommends that the government strengthens protections against discrimination in recruitment for religious organisations.
Comments
In a foreword to the report, former equalities minister and Liberal Democrat peer Lynne Featherstone writes: "The Equality Act has contributed to the UK becoming a more tolerant nation and has been vital in tackling discrimination against minorities and safeguarding individuals' rights.
"This ten-year anniversary provides a timely opportunity to assess the impact of the act. As this excellent, informed, and forensic report by the National Secular Society demonstrates it is certainly not a case of 'job done'.
"The continued existence of exemptions for religious privilege is completely at odds with ambitions to create a fair society."
National Secular Society head of policy and research Megan Manson said: "The Equality Act was a landmark piece of legislation which has helped to make the UK fairer and more tolerant.
"But a decade after it came into force, it should be reviewed to ensure it guarantees protection for all. As the UK becomes increasingly irreligious and religiously pluralistic, our equality laws need to be robust in order to promote social cohesion and equal opportunities.
"That means closing loopholes which allow faith-based discrimination in our schools and workplaces."
The report is available to read, along with its key findings and recommendations, on the NSS website.
Push government on caste discrimination, NSS tells UN rapporteur
Posted: Fri, 29 May 2020 10:23
The National Secular Society has urged the UN special rapporteur on minority issues to push the UK government to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of 'caste'.
The NSS also urged the rapporteur, Fernand de Varennes (pictured), to ensure non-religious victims of persecution worldwide are afforded equal protection to those from religious communities.
The rapporteur has called for evidence as he prepares a report to the upcoming 75th session of the UN general assembly, on the significance and scope of minorities' rights in the UN system.
Caste discrimination
Ministers have repeatedly refused to amend the 2010 Equality Act to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of caste, preferring instead to rely on the potential evolution of case law.
The NSS's submission urged the rapporteur to "strongly encourage" the government to amend the act. The UN has previously given a formal recommendation that the government do this to comply with its treaty obligations.
The NSS said attempts to deal with the problem through an evolution in case law were unlikely to be effective, particularly as victims are unlikely to be able to launch legal challenges.
Protection of non-religious
The NSS also called on the rapporteur to ensure non-religious people who face human rights abuses around the world are given equal protection to religious minorities.
The society said human rights violations experienced by the non-religious are often sidelined or ignored, because:
- Non-religious people are often from strict religious backgrounds and so face pressure to hide their lack of religious belief.
- Non-religious people tend to be less likely to form large communities based around their religious identities than religious groups.
- Non-religious people often do not regard their personal views as a significant part of their personal identity in the way some religious groups do.
The NSS also said the term 'religious minority' should be replaced with a term which is more inclusive of non-religious victims of persecution, such as "religion or belief minority".
NSS comment
NSS head of policy and research Megan Manson said: "Caste discrimination is a serious violation of human rights, but the UK government's deeply inadequate approach to the issue fails to honour its international treaty obligations. We hope the UN special rapporteur will bring pressure to bear on ministers to change this.
"The rapporteur should also take the opportunity to tackle the persecution of non-religious people. That requires an acknowledgement of the limitations of a communal approach to dealing with persecution and a reaffirmation of the universal right to freedom of religion or belief."
Caste discrimination in the UK
- Research published on the gov.uk website has estimated that at least 50,000 (and perhaps in excess of 200,000) people who live in the UK are at risk of caste discrimination.
- In 2018 the Equality and Human Rights Commission criticised the government's position on caste discrimination.
Global persecution of the non-religious
- The 2019 edition of the Freedom of Thought Report, published by Humanists International, found that people could effectively be put to death for expressing atheism in 13 countries.
Image via Twitter.
