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Caste discrimination to be outlawed by Equality Act | Caste discrimination to be outlawed by Equality Act |
(2 days later) | |
Caste discrimination is to be outlawed in the UK, Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced in what is a U-turn on previous government policy. | Caste discrimination is to be outlawed in the UK, Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced in what is a U-turn on previous government policy. |
The House of Lords has voted twice for legal protection to be given to the estimated 400,000 Dalits - so-called untouchables - who live in the UK. | |
MPs overturned the first Lords vote, but after peers again backed the plan on Monday, there has been a rethink. | MPs overturned the first Lords vote, but after peers again backed the plan on Monday, there has been a rethink. |
Mr Cable said caste would in future be treated as "an aspect of race". | Mr Cable said caste would in future be treated as "an aspect of race". |
Keith Porteous Wood, of the National Secular Society, said: "We are delighted that the government has accepted that discrimination against caste should enjoy the same statutory protection as all other forms of protected characteristics. | Keith Porteous Wood, of the National Secular Society, said: "We are delighted that the government has accepted that discrimination against caste should enjoy the same statutory protection as all other forms of protected characteristics. |
"This is a victory for the Lords and their emphasis on protecting human rights." | "This is a victory for the Lords and their emphasis on protecting human rights." |
Campaigners had said legislation was needed because thousands of people suffered abuse and prejudice because they were considered low caste. | Campaigners had said legislation was needed because thousands of people suffered abuse and prejudice because they were considered low caste. |
They said existing laws offered no protection and said caste divided society unfairly, with those at the bottom expected to do dirty, poorly paid work while also being expected to - and forced to - look up to and respect higher castes. | They said existing laws offered no protection and said caste divided society unfairly, with those at the bottom expected to do dirty, poorly paid work while also being expected to - and forced to - look up to and respect higher castes. |
Those arguing for action said such discrimination was outlawed in India and should be banned in Britain too. | Those arguing for action said such discrimination was outlawed in India and should be banned in Britain too. |
In the House of Commons debate earlier this month the government acknowledged the existence of caste discrimination in Britain. | In the House of Commons debate earlier this month the government acknowledged the existence of caste discrimination in Britain. |
But equalities minister Jo Swinson told MPs: "This is an issue that is contained in the Hindu and Sikh communities. That's why we are working with those communities to address these problems." | But equalities minister Jo Swinson told MPs: "This is an issue that is contained in the Hindu and Sikh communities. That's why we are working with those communities to address these problems." |
She warned of concern that legislation could increase stigma rather than ease the problem and said that was why the government favoured tackling caste prejudice through an education programme instead. | She warned of concern that legislation could increase stigma rather than ease the problem and said that was why the government favoured tackling caste prejudice through an education programme instead. |
During the debate many MPs backed the protestors. | During the debate many MPs backed the protestors. |
Conservative MP Richard Fuller said: "This is a straightforward issue, caste discrimination in the work place is wrong and the people who suffer from it deserve legal protection. That's it. Beginning and end." | Conservative MP Richard Fuller said: "This is a straightforward issue, caste discrimination in the work place is wrong and the people who suffer from it deserve legal protection. That's it. Beginning and end." |
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said that caste discrimination was "completely unacceptable". | Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said that caste discrimination was "completely unacceptable". |
The government has asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission to examine the nature of caste prejudice and harassment, and consider what other action might be helpful. | The government has asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission to examine the nature of caste prejudice and harassment, and consider what other action might be helpful. |
The commission will publish its findings later in 2013. | The commission will publish its findings later in 2013. |
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