MODEL - NON PROFIT

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWNCDHR works to eliminate discrimination based on caste, and protect the basic human rights of Dalits (also known as Scheduled Castes), who constitute over 16% of India’s total population. NCDHR drives systemic change by strengthening the response of the government and justice system, as well as mobilizing civil society through a coalition of over 350 organizations, to protect and demand these rights, including economic and women’s rights.

THE PROBLEMDespite numerous government schemes to benefit

Dalits, the intended funds are under-utilized, and have

not impacted the economic status of Dalits. Despite

legal safeguards and policies to address injustices, the

lack of enforcement has allowed for unchecked

violence against Dalits.

NCDHR’s RESPONSENCDHR conducts research on public policy

implementation and law enforcement, which is

disseminated widely and used for advocacy with the

government. It also trains civil society and mobilizes

citizens to access their rights, to impact the Dalit

community at a national level.

National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)

Founded: 1998 | Head Office: New Delhi | Coverage: Pan-India | Full-Time Staff: 45Budget (2013-14): Organization – INR 5.2 crore; Governance – INR 5.2 crore

HOW DID IT EVOLVE?

National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Economic Rights: Monitors the Union budget and 14 state budgets to track allocations and implementation of government schemes; trains organizations across sectors to use budget analysis to address exclusion of Dalits; has set up 12 budget centers which mobilize local volunteers to empower Dalits to access their entitlements under various schemes - over 10,000 reached in the past year.Women’s Rights: Promotes leadership and political participation by Dalit women, builds the capacity of Dalit women elected representatives.Civil and Political Rights: Mobilizes volunteers across 10 states to ensure access to justice to survivors of violence; monitors the crimi-nal justice system; sensitizes the police and judiciary on Dalit rights; advocates for changes in policy. Exclusion in Disasters: Monitors prevention and relief processes for disasters, to ensure that the systemic response does not exclude Dalit communities. International Advocacy: Engages with bodies such as the UN and Human Rights Council to catalyze international campaigns.

NCDHR’s interventions are implemented under various national movements, with the help of partner non-profits and volunteers across 22 states. Its model involves evidence building through research and public interest litigation, sustained engagement with government, training of stakeholders, informing legislation, grassroots community mobilization and media outreach. Its activities span:

Started as a network of organizations and individuals to

address the issue of violence against Dalits, and increase

visibility of Dalit issues through conferences, campaigns and

international forums

Began focusing on grassroots mobilization, campaigns, and systematic monitoring of the

justice system; set up a national secretariat and 14 state

chapters

Structured and expanded the scope of its work under four

movements: to protect economic rights, women’s

rights, land rights, and civil and political rights

National campaign began to gain momentum; initiated

research on budgets of public schemes to build evidence for advocacy, strengthening access to

justice and women’s rights

1998 2003 2008 2010

www.ncdhr.org.in

KEY INTERVENTIONS

1. Building awareness and mobilizing citizens2. Training citizens for public engagement 3. Creating knowledge and evidence4. Advocacy for policy design and implementation5. Technology platforms and solutions6. Facilitating independent and inclusive journalism7. Capacity building of government officials8. Capacity building of local partners9. Facilitating platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement

WHAT’S NEXT?NCDHR aims to build its institutional capacity to strengthen its impact at the grassroots across 20 states. Additionally, it aims to focus on the following program areas:

Expand budget resource centers to more states, to help Dalit communities realize their rights and leverage this on-ground experience for advocacy at the state and national level. Invest in technology and train grassroots volunteers to use its Atrocity Tracking and Monitoring system, a Web-based platform, which allows for tracking of case details to increase accountability in the justice system.Work with partner organizations to identify and develop Dalit women leaders across more states. Promote the policy agenda at a global level to enhance government response.

“The Dalit issue is the elephant in the room in any discussion on development and citizens’ rights. We need a mechanism to sensitize communities to accept Dalit rights, while ensuring that these rights are strengthened through better policies and implementation. Bridging policy gaps forms the fulcrum of NCDHR, and our primary objective is to ensure a free exercise of citizenship by the Dalit community.”– N.Paul Divakar, general secretary

citizenvoice policy law servicedelivery thinktank transparency RTI elections budgets urbangovernance panchayatiraj accesstojustice

technology humanrights independentmedia

NCDHR has pioneered work on policy at the national and state levels, and is committed to the cause of the marginalized. NCDHR has been striving to bridge the gap between policy and community. They have been doing commendable work in the area of fiscal transparency, accountability and access to justice issues, with a special focus on Dalits.

- Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, National Foundation of India

NCDHR led a national campaign to highlight the diversion of US$140 million of funds allocated for Dalits to help pay for the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi in 2010. This led to a public acknowledgment and stated intention to restore the diverted funds by the Home Minister before the Parliament.NCDHR’s efforts led to the implementation of Code 789, which allows for the monitoring of government funds allocated for Dalits; the government made using this code mandatory for all departments in the 2011-2012 budget.NCDHR worked with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help draft the Prevention of Atrocities Amendment Bill, 2014, which was signed by the President in March 2014 as an ordinance.

WHAT HAS IT ACHIEVED?

VOICES FROM THE GROUND

N. Paul Divakar, V.A. Ramesh Nathan and Asha Kotwal are the three General Secretaries at NCDHR.Guest speakers and active participants at numerous global events organized by the European Union, UN, and Human Rights Council in 2013.

Key funders include Christian Aid, CCFD (France), Oxfam India, Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative, UN Women, UNDP.Government ministries such as MSJE, MHRD, MWCD, and the National Advisory Council.Non-profits such as Human Rights Law Network, Housing and Land Rights Network, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability.Indian Institute of Dalit Studies.

NCDHR won the prestigious Rafto Human Rights Award in 2007 in Norway.

QUALITY INDICATORS

National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR)

FCRA12 A 80 G FCRA

Leadership

Partnerships

Endorsements