Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues Sixth session Intervention by Savio Mahimaidass in association with International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) Agenda item 4: Promotion and protection of the identity of religious minorities Dates: 26 and 27 November 2013 Venue: Palais des Nations Geneva, Switzerland Ms. Chairperson Ms. Independent expert Distinguished delegates and colleagues I would like to thank the OHCHR for giving me the opportunity to be part of the 2013 Minority Fellowship Programme and to participate in the 6th session of the Forum on Minority issues. We note with concern that across the South Asian region discrimination against Dalits still exists, In Pakistan, the so-called low caste Hindus (Dalits), officially known as Scheduled Castes, are the worst victims of discrimination and violence. They are in a dual disadvantageous position as they are Hindu by religion, a minority in Muslim majority, and also of the lower castes within the Hindu population. Hindus, the majority of Whom reside in Southern Sindh province, are also easy targets of violence. In the case of my country, India, the Constitution guarantees the protection of the rights of the religious minorities. However, the religious minorities especially the Christians and Muslims of the Scheduled Caste origin and who are herein referred to as Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims. Under the Indian Constitution Dalit Hindus, Dalit Sikhs and Dalit Buddhist come under the Scheduled Caste list and hence have