Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international organization that works to protect human rights worldwide. In the following viewpoint, the organization urges the international community to enact laws against India’s caste system. According to HRW, Dalits—Indians who occupy the bottom of India’s rigid caste system—are routinely denied basic human rights. The organization claims that Dalits may not use the same wells, visit the same temples and churches, or drink from the same cups in tea stalls as Indians who occupy higher castes. Moreover, rape, murder, and arson against Dalits are commonplace, the organization claims.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In what other Asian countries is caste-based abuse prevalent, as cited by Human Rights Watch?
2. According to HRW...