Hansard

Equality: Caste Discrimination

Volume 693: debated on Tuesday 19 June 2007

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Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether caste discrimination is unlawful in the United Kingdom; and [HL4262]

Whether they will introduce amending legislation extending the definition of unlawful discrimination in the Race Relations Act 1976 to include discrimination based on descent, so as to comply with the obligations imposed on the United Kingdom by the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and with the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. [HL4263]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government
(Baroness Andrews)

Caste discrimination is not explicitly prohibited by UK law. We are currently assessing the evidence of caste discrimination in the UK and are considering this issue as part of the discrimination law review.