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Caste discrimination should be outlawed, say Lords Caste discrimination should be outlawed, say Lords
(7 months later)
The House of Lords voted on Monday to outlaw discrimination against people on the basis of their caste.The House of Lords voted on Monday to outlaw discrimination against people on the basis of their caste.
If passed into law, the move would give nearly one million Hindus in Britain the same legal protection as people who face mistreatment on the basis of gender, sexuality or race.If passed into law, the move would give nearly one million Hindus in Britain the same legal protection as people who face mistreatment on the basis of gender, sexuality or race.
After the vote, the government indicated it would continue to oppose the change to the 2010 Equalities Act.After the vote, the government indicated it would continue to oppose the change to the 2010 Equalities Act.
"We do not believe that introducing specific caste-based legislation is the best way to tackle the incidents of caste-related prejudice and discrimination that have been identified – many of which occur in areas not covered by discrimination law, such as in volunteering," said a spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport."We do not believe that introducing specific caste-based legislation is the best way to tackle the incidents of caste-related prejudice and discrimination that have been identified – many of which occur in areas not covered by discrimination law, such as in volunteering," said a spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
He said the government would rely on education and would consider recommendations later this year from a review of caste discrimination by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.He said the government would rely on education and would consider recommendations later this year from a review of caste discrimination by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The National Secular Society said campaigners for the change would keep up pressure, which includes legal advice that a UN request for such legislation amounts to an obligation under international law.The National Secular Society said campaigners for the change would keep up pressure, which includes legal advice that a UN request for such legislation amounts to an obligation under international law.
Labour's equalities spokesman in the Lords, Lady Thornton, who co-sponsored the amendment, said: "Studies confirm the caste system exists in the UK, with over 850,000 people affected – and the associated lack of caste mobility is inconsistent with moves to encourage a more cohesive society.Labour's equalities spokesman in the Lords, Lady Thornton, who co-sponsored the amendment, said: "Studies confirm the caste system exists in the UK, with over 850,000 people affected – and the associated lack of caste mobility is inconsistent with moves to encourage a more cohesive society.
"Labour has promised to tackle this known but hidden problem – and with peers from across the Lords having now voted overwhelmingly in favour of this change to equalities legislation, ministers should now get on with implementing it.""Labour has promised to tackle this known but hidden problem – and with peers from across the Lords having now voted overwhelmingly in favour of this change to equalities legislation, ministers should now get on with implementing it."
The amendment was tabled by former bishop of Oxford Lord Harries, a crossbencher, to the unwieldy enterprise and regulation bill currently going through parliament, and passed by 225 votes to 153 votes. As well as Thornton, the amendment was supported by former Tory minister John Gummer, now Lord Deben, and a Liberal Democrat, Lord Avebury.The amendment was tabled by former bishop of Oxford Lord Harries, a crossbencher, to the unwieldy enterprise and regulation bill currently going through parliament, and passed by 225 votes to 153 votes. As well as Thornton, the amendment was supported by former Tory minister John Gummer, now Lord Deben, and a Liberal Democrat, Lord Avebury.
Last month, the Guardian reported on the case of a two solicitors who claimed they were discriminated against when they were sacked by their law firm because they married between castes. The employment tribunal collapsed before a judgement was made after the judge recused herself.Last month, the Guardian reported on the case of a two solicitors who claimed they were discriminated against when they were sacked by their law firm because they married between castes. The employment tribunal collapsed before a judgement was made after the judge recused herself.
"Now in considerable debt, and with nothing achieved, it is extremely unlikely that [the couple] will have resolve or be able to find a further £50,000 to rerun the case, which would be unnecessary if parliament passes this amendment," said Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society."Now in considerable debt, and with nothing achieved, it is extremely unlikely that [the couple] will have resolve or be able to find a further £50,000 to rerun the case, which would be unnecessary if parliament passes this amendment," said Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society.
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