A/HRC/31/56 C. Civil society initiatives 120. Civil society organizations are instrumental in advancing the cause of caste-affected communities through advocacy at both the national and international levels, networking and implementation of specific programmes and campaigns to combat caste and caste-like discrimination. There are numerous good practice initiatives led by civil society actors to eradicate caste-based discrimination against Dalit communities in South Asia; 110 however, similar initiatives to combat discrimination against other caste-affected groups in other regions are, with some exceptions, still emerging. 121. In Mauritania, the Initiative pour la résurgence du mouvement abolitionniste Mauritanie was established in 2008 by a prominent Haratine leader to advocate for the eradication of slavery and slavery-like practices, as well as to take specific cases before judicial courts. 122. In Yemen, the All Youth Network for Community Development was set up by young people belonging to the Akhdam minority (Muhamasheen) to work at the local level to eliminate caste discrimination. Its programmes target education, political participation, human rights education and capacity-building. VII. Conclusions and recommendations 123. Discrimination based on caste and analogous systems is a global phenomenon, affecting more than 250 million people worldwide. This serious human rights violation infringes upon the basic principles of universal human dignity and equality, as it differentiates between “inferior” and “superior” categories of individuals because of their inherited caste status. It also leads to extreme exclusion and dehumanization of caste-affected communities, who are often among the most disadvantaged populations, experience the worst socioeconomic conditions and are deprived of or severely restricted in the enjoyment of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. 124. Discrimination based on caste and analogous systems is deeply embedded in interpersonal and communal relationships in caste-affected countries. Therefore, overcoming it will require not only legal and political responses, but also community-based approaches aimed at changing the mindsets of individuals and the collective conscience of local communities. In this regard, formal and informal community education and open dialogue from an early age are essential elements to ensure that the principles of human dignity and equality generally are accepted and respected. 125. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges that further in-depth studies of casteaffected communities, particularly outside of South Asia, are needed in order to comprehensively assess the situation of and specific challenges facing such groups and implement adequate measures to combat caste-based discrimination that affects them. To that end, the collection of data disaggregated by, inter alia, caste, sex, ethnicity, religion and language is essential to adequately map affected groups in caste-affected countries. Data collection programmes should allow for diverse forms of selfidentification and comply with international standards regarding the right to privacy. 126. Discrimination on the basis of caste and analogous systems is a major cause of poverty, inequality and social exclusion of affected communities. In the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, States should 110 Bethan Cobley, “International consultation on caste-based discrimination”, pp. 48-54. 23