Widespread and systematic human rights violations, inter-state and intra-state conflicts continue to plague the region hindering peace, justice, democracy and a better quality of life. These were the concerns shown by speakers and experts while addressing a seminar on "The need for inter-governmental human rights mechanism in South Asia" organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Monday.
Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Chairperson, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Bangkok and Surya Deuja, South Asia Programme Manager, Forum-Asia addressed on this occasion. Subodh said that SAARC countries continue to affirm the universal principles and values of human rights in a number of international instruments and in SAARC summit declarations are obliged to respect those principles, including the right to health, education, food, water, development and to be free from trafficking with specific reference to women, children, youth and migrant workers.
He said that recognising the need for SAARC to adopt a rights-based and gender-sensitive approach to the elimination of all forms of discrimination, including religious intolerance. He stressed that SAARC must address pressing multilateral issues that includes hunger, unemployment, and violence against women and children including the issue of Climate Change and its impact on the sub region.
Surya made a presentation on 'Establishing a Robust Regional Human Rights Mechanism in South Asia' highlighting the status of human rights situation, SAARC instruments and initiatives for a regional mechanism by civil society organisations and human rights defenders. Considering the particular geographical, social and cultural context, the regional mechanism can be more effective than other international mechanism, he added. He gave an overview of the existing regional mechanism at Europe, America, African and new sub-regional human rights body in ASEAN countries.
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