Benchmarking the Draft UN Principles & Guidelines on the Elimination of (Caste) Discrimination based on Work and Descent

It is true that caste-situation in Bangladesh is significantly different from that of India and Nepal. Since it is a nation of majority Muslim population, caste cannot be said to permeate all aspects of socio-economic life, as is the case in India and Nepal. Therefore, along with recognizing caste as a ubiquitous socio-cultural phenomenon of South Asia, it is also important to highlight the fact that casteism is neither structured nor experienced the same way everywhere. Caste identities are irreducibly socio-historical in nature and Bangladeshi Dalits have been experiencing it by remaining trapped for centuries in a highly complex psycho-social division that is unique to Bangladesh society. Caste system in Bangladesh exemplarily embodies the paradox of similarity and difference.

The report, published by Nagarik Uddyog, follows: