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10 per cent of Dalit households can afford safe drinking water, electricity and
toilets, and approximately 75 per cent are engaged in agricultural work, although
many do not have their own land.
65. Furthermore, the Dalits are often engaged in manual scavenging, digging of
graves, cleaning of human excretions or forced prostitution, thus exposing them to a
range of health hazards. A study in South Asia found that Dalits were denied entry
into private health centres or clinics in 74 out of 348 villages surveyed, or 21.3 per
cent of villages. 58 The study also found that in the case of 30 to 40 per cent of the
Dalit villages surveyed public health workers refused to visit. In some villages,
Dalits also were prohibited from public streets and even police stations.
5.
Migrants
66. The Special Rapporteur observes that the situation of migrants remains
precarious and calls for closer attention, particularly as many host countries
continue to experience economic difficulties. In spite of measures taken by some
States to integrate migrants and provide them with the opportunities to live a
dignified life, many migrants continue to live in poverty and to experience
discrimination in many areas of everyday life.
67. Access to official documents continues to determine the extent to which
migrants can enjoy other rights and employment. In various countries, several
documents (identity document, residence, birth or medical documents) are a
condition for admission of children into school. Migrants in an irregular status often
lack these official documents.
68. New migrants and particularly those without official documents find it
difficult to access employment opportunities which in turn force them into a life of
poverty. Many migrants live in precarious and insecure housing conditions, without
adequate access to basic facilities such as reliable water or electricity. In some
cases, their status leaves them open to exploitation by landlords. Moreover, without
proper documents, migrants find it difficult to secure proper housing since in some
countries, in order to conclude a lease agreement, certain documents or even proof
of income may be required.
69. Owing to linguistic or cultural barriers many migrants do not access accurate
information on health services in their host country. The costs of health services
may also be an obstacle, in particular for irregular migrants who do not have health
coverage. The fear of being reported to the police by health professionals further
discourages some migrants from accessing public health services. In addition, out of
desperation, some migrants often accept dangerous employment which can be
hazardous.
D.
Measures to combat poverty and discrimination
70. The Special Rapporteur notes that States around the world have developed and
implemented many good practices which can alleviate problems associated with the
intersecting problems of racism and poverty. The Special Rapporteur would like to
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Ghanshyam Shah et al., Untouchability in Rural India (New Delhi, SAGE Publications India,
2006).
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