The Regional Consultation which was held from 27 – 29 November 2010 in Kathmandu, Nepal served as a forum for a wide cross section of human rights defenders, academics, professionals and cultural activists from all South Asian countries to share their knowledge and experiences of strategizing to promote human rights and democracy in their own society.
More than 150 participants engaged in in-depth discussions which led to more effective strategies to address human rights issues in the region and making state institutions responsive to citizens’ activism in promoting human rights and democratic practices.
The theme of the consultation was “Challenges for South Asia: Human Rights and Democracy” and each country presented their country experiences. The areas under discussion were transparency and accountability of South Asian parliaments, security laws and freedom from torture, discrimination against religious minorities and internally displaced persons in South Asia.
Also, the meeting welcomed the SAARC Summit initiative for a Charter for Democracy but was concerned that the draft of the charter was limited to a bureaucratic exercise and did not ensure that citizen’s voices are heard.
In 2011 SAHR plans to prepare a publication based on the discussions and recommendations of the regional consultation.
To Download the Statement issued at the conclusion of the Regional Consultation Click Here
Dr. Hameeda Hossain delivers the Welcome and 10th Year Anniversary Address
The panel consisting of Shiranthi Jayatilaka, Keshab Mathema, C.K. Lal, Dr. Hameeda Hossain, Hon. Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyay, Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey, I. A Rehman, Kamla Bhasin and J. C Weliamuna - at the plenary session
Participants at the regional consultation
Participants at the regional consultation Participants at the regional consultation
Chief Guest, Hon. Justice Kedar Nath Upadhyay delivers the Inaugural Address C. K Lal delivers the Keynote Address
Ambika Satkunanathan (Sri Lanka), Prof. Kapil Shrestha (Nepal), Jennifer Latheef (Maldives), I. A Rehman (Pakistan), Tek Nath Rizal (Bhutan), Khushi Kabir (Bangladesh) and Vrinda Grover (India) present country perspectives on the Challenges to Human Rights and Democracy Aiman Rasheed (Maldives), Vinod Bhanu (India), Irfath Iva (Bangladesh), J. C Weliamuna - Moderator, Raza Ahmed (Pakistan) and Dilrukshi Handunnetti (Sri Lanka) discussing Transparency and Accountability of South Asian Parliaments
Hon. Yusuf Tarigami (India), Hon. Zunaid Ahmed Palak (Bangladesh), J. C Weliamuna - Moderator, Hon. Bushra Gohar (Pakistan) and Hon. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (Sri Lanka) speaking on the Responsibility of MPs in Advancing Accountability of Parliament
Saba Shaikh (Pakistan), Prof. Ameena Mohsin (Bangladesh), Dr. Hameeda Hossain - Moderator, Chulani Kodikara (Sri Lanka) and Satya Sivaraman (India) at the sessions on the topic of Discrimination against Religious Minorities
Discussions on the SAARC Charter for Democracy Discussions on Displacement in South Asia
Prof. Imtiaz Ahmed at the discussions on A Democracy Charter for South Asia: Human Rights Perspectives
