South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) releases the report South Asian Citizens’ Voices on Democracy and People’s Security based on the regional consultation on, held on 25 and 26 of February, 2016 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Civil societies in the region share a vision for peace and justice in South Asia interlinking people’s shared aspirations for equality, prosperity, eradicating poverty and ending discrimination, persistent human rights violations and the erosion of rule of law. SAHR itself is a creation of such a vision. It is not possible to turn this vision into reality without supporting and promoting initiatives at the national and regional level and further strengthening civil society as a strong platform in South Asia to engage with the respective states and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The Regional Consultation brought together many civil society activists, from all South Asian countries representing lawyers, professionals, politicians, experts in international studies and human rights, policy makers, the media and representatives of the affected communities. The report encapsulates country perspectives on ‘Democratic Challenges and Peoples’ Rights’; ‘Constitution Making and Citizens’ Participation’ in Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka; Country perspectives on ‘Freedom of Association and Freedom of Assembly’ and the country presentations on ‘Participation of Women in Governance in South Asia’. The South Asian Peoples’ Charter 2016, which was produced at the end of the regional consultation is included in the report and highlights current regional human rights concerns and recommendations to governments.
Please find the report here.