The caste system is one in which doors to other castes are closed. To open the doors cannot be a decision of just one caste. It has to be a decision by consensus, because the breaking of caste boundaries involves an exit as well an entrance. While one caste may make a decision to exit from its boundaries, entering into boundaries held by others requires their consent. When the most socially and politically powerful castes want to remain enclosed, lower castes decisions to break open can have little effect.
Emancipation lies in destroying caste enclosure from all sides.
The international community must help to achieve this by examination and exposure of the ethical foundations underpinning caste-based societies. The existence of mere legal provisions should not be taken as a guarantee of protection for victims of caste systems. All areas of administrative practice and implementation need to be regularly reviewed. The Asian Legal Resource Centre urges World Conference organisers to make all facilities available to permit full participation by non-governmental agencies in both the forthcoming Conference and preparatory meetings. The elimination of caste is a much-belated human rights concern.