A new member has joined the international struggle for the rights of the Dalits. The Dalit Solidarity Network in Finland (DSNFi) was founded on August 31 in a meeting at the University of Helsinki. Finnish group is networking with International Dalit Solidarity Network.
The meeting was opened and chaired by Jaakko Heinimäki, a well-known Finnish writer who has been acquainted with the Dalit issue since the mid 1990′s. The 22 founding members of the new association accepted tentative bylaws for DSNFi and elected a board of five members.
The chairperson will be Mikko Malkavaara. Another board member is Timo Lappalainen, who is the executive director of Kepa, a service base for all Finnish NGOs interested in development work and global issues.
The purpose of the new association is to:
- raise awareness of Dalit issues, the situation and circumstances of the Dalits and the caste system;
- win more activists and sympathizers to support Dalits’ fight for human rights;
- act as an expert body on the Dalit movement and Dalit issues in Finland and influence the activities of the government of Finland, Finnish authorities, organizations and companies to advance policies which prevent discrimination and racism;
- promote the objectives of IDSN in Finland and contribute to its work.
DSNFi plans to launch two main events annually, one on the birthday of the most honorable Dalit figure, Dr. Ambedkar and the other on the Solidarity Day of the Dalits. The organisation will form close contacts with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially those dealing with human rights’ issues.
The establishment of IDSNFi has been widely welcomed by IDSN members and associations in many countries, including those affected by caste discrimination.
by Mikko Malkavaara
