UN CERD Review Flags Systemic Discrimination Against India's Minorities and Dalits

Gist In its first review since 2007 , the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CERD expressed "grave concern" over targeted violence and systemic discrimination against India's minorities, Dalits, and non-citizens. The observations highlighted a shrinking space for civil society, legislative gaps in the newly enacted criminal codes, and a severe data vacuum masking socioeconomic regression. For civil services aspirants, this development is crucial for understanding India's international human rights obligations GS Paper II and the ongoing debates surrounding citizenship, institutional autonomy, and protective legislation. Background India ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1968 , committing to end racial prejudice and structural discrimination. The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination CERD is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention by its State parties through periodic reviews. Historically, India has maintained that caste-based discrimination is a domestic matter and falls outside the purview of the international convention, arguing that caste is not synonymous with race. This review occurs against the backdrop of weakened domestic rights…