On September 6, 2021, National Consultation on South Asian Human Rights Mechanism was organized by Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) in collaboration with The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-Asia) at Dhulikhel.
The program was organized to discuss and figure out the preferred modality for the efficient functioning of the Regional Human Rights Mechanism in South Asia and to critically reflect and review the efforts towards its establishment.
Mr. Bijaya Raj Gautam, Executive Director of INSEC opened the discussion by sharing the history of advocacy (since 2010) for the establishment of a regional human rights mechanism and acknowledged FORUM-ASIA’s efforts on revitalizing this debate which was halted in the surge of COVID-19.
Mr. Subodh Raj Pyakhurel, Former Chairperson of FORUM-ASIA and INSEC emphasized on the efforts in the initiation of this advocacy which is needed for the establishment of regional human rights mechanism in South Asia.
In the program, Senior Advocate Dr. Dinesh Tripathi presented about the dysfunctional state of SAARC and pronounced the hostility between Pakistan and India as one of the major reasons behind it. He further added that the necessity of South Asian regional human rights mechanisms in regionally connected sphere to combat common Human Rights issues prevalent in South Asia.
According to Mr. Debendra Adhikari, South Asia Program Manager at FORUM-ASIA, a critical review of the works has been done for the formation of the South Asian regional Human Rights mechanism so far.
Dr. Padma Prasad Khatiwada, Vice Chairperson of Social Welfare Council, presented on the Status Paper and Feasibility Study for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism.
In the initiation of the presentation, Dr. Khatiwada noted ‘Poverty, Exclusion and Disregard of Human Rights’ as three common problems prevalent in South Asia. He urged the concerned authorities to duly consider these three issues in the formation of a regional Human Rights mechanism. Dr. Khatiwada then shared the Action plans to be implemented by the Civil Society Organizations for the establishment of the Regional Human Rights mechanism in South Asia.
According to Ganesh BK from Rastriya Dalit Network, caste based discrimination and gender-based discrimination shall primarily be focused while establishing a regional Human Rights mechanism. He further added that Nepal shall use its position as a head of SAARC and provide recommendations to the Secretariat to make SAARC functional. If that is hurdled, People’s SAARC shall be revived.
Benu Maya Gurung, Executive Director of AATWIN opined that a concept paper should be formed specifying the scope and working areas of the regional Human Rights mechanism. She said active Civil Society organizations shall be mapped and brought together to strengthen this advocacy.
Mr. Lubha Raj Neupane, Executive Director of WOREC said, Regional Human Rights mechanism should be established as an independent body and while establishing this mechanism, emerging issues like ‘Business and Human rights’ should be focused as well.
Govinda Shahi, Executive Director of KIRDARC Nepal pointed out the lack of state’s interests in solving the issues raised by civil societies. Shahi suggested shifting the focus from Nepal to other South Asian states with severe Human rights issues whilst establishing a regional Human Rights mechanism.