[what is dfn uk?]

Dalit Freedom Network UK is a human rights charity, a non-governmental organisation that has responded to a ‘cry for help’ from the leaders of the Dalit population of India. We represent a vast network of justice-minded, modern-day abolitionists, committed to India’s ‘untouchables’ by partnering with the Dalit people in India. DFN UK works with individuals, groups and organisations in the UK and internationally, to knit together our combined resources to inform and support those within India who are working hand-in-hand with the Dalits for their emancipation.

We believe Dalits need protection from persecution and from trafficking into bonded labour, the sex industry, begging, ritualised prostitution, abusive domestic service and the harvesting of body parts. DFN UK is specifically and wholly devoted to the protection of Dalit human rights and, together with our partners, are active advocates for the rights of Dalit men, women, and children across India. We work with people of all faiths and of none. We aim to bring freedom, hope and justice to India's Dalits. We believe that we can End Dalit Trafficking and ‘make slavery history’ in India.

The network of people fighting for Dalit Freedom began in 2002. It was a response to the Dalit cry for help in their quest to escape from caste discrimination, and the poverty, abuse and trafficking that result. DFN UK was registered as a UK charitable company early in 2008, under the umbrella name of Freedom Network International. The trustees include both Indians and Britons, and are from a variety of backgrounds. A Council of Reference is in the process of being set up, comprising men and women in the UK and in India, including Dalits and Dalit champions.

[who do we work with?]

DFN UK has partnerships with Dalit Freedom Network in the USA, Canada and Germany. DFN is in the process of inaugurating offices in other nations in Europe and Australasia. All of these organisations are corporately and financially separate. The common link we have is our driving passion and our partners in India, namely OMIF. We are developing links with other like-minded organisations in the UK, working closely with partners through whom we channel sponsorship for pupils and support for anti-trafficking projects in India.

DFN UK works with various civil society groups, faith groups etc. and does not discriminate against any religions or people groups. Although coming from a Christian basis, DFN UK partners with people of goodwill around the world and invites people from every culture, and of any faith or of none, to partner with us on behalf of India’s Dalits, to provide hope for the hopeless. In addition to seeking Dalit empowerment and an end to the trafficking of Dalits, we are fighting for the freedom of the Dalits. Freedom from discrimination, violence, abuse, and slavery, but also the freedom to be able to choose their lifestyle, beliefs, and destiny.

[what makes dfn uk unique?]

• The focus on Dalit trafficking – no other organisation has this unique, dual focus on anti-trafficking and the Dalits. Yet there are estimated to be at least 18 million Dalits in India who are victims of human trafficking.
• We were founded as a response to requests by India’s citizens. We continue to go and work only where we are invited by Dalit community leaders.
• The Indian Government wants to tackle trafficking and has put legislation in place. We applaud their vision and want to support them in capacity-building, by advocacy on their behalf, sharing expertise and recruiting a network of individuals and groups from around Britain, who will get involved in this cause.
• The strategy is driven from an Indian perspective and from a thorough foundation of running effective programmes, over a number of years, that contribute to the prevention of trafficking and to the rehabilitation and reintegration of those set free from trafficking.

Banner and panel photos: RACHEL ROBICHAUX. Used by kind permission.