SAHR is a voluntary, democratic, people’s organisation with the following main objectives: To foster the concept of multiple South Asian identities by enabling people to realise their ideals and aspirations for peace, democracy, secularism and human security, while promoting pluralism in approaches towards social, political, economic and cultural development of different communities, ethnic, linguistic, religious and other groups;
Uniform enjoyment of human rights
Realisation of gender equality and justice
Strengthening regional interaction and mutual enrichment in the spheres of education, literature, culture and the arts
Sharing experiences and developing platforms to assert the rights of labour and other working people, and to eliminate poverty and disparities
Challenging all forms of communal and parochial prejudice, bigotry and violence
Humane treatment to migrant workers and refugees and other vulnerable groups who often face discrimination
To struggle collectively for the uniform realisation of the South Asia people’s right to participatory democracy, good governance and justice
To review laws, practices, social and political trends and economic policies which adversely affect human rights and to suggest remedial measures
To monitor and resist the violation of human rights by state authorities and non-state elements
To oppose usurpation of people’s sovereign power and derogation of human rights by state terrorism, religious fanaticism, communalism, militarisation and nuclearisation, and to fight for a nuclear weapons-free South Asia as a step towards a world free of mass destruction
To demand constitutional and legal guarantees necessary to usher in a just society consistent with international human rights norms
To oppose customs whose practice in the name of the “community” or traditional “morality” creates hatred, prejudice and sectarianism; and to assert the primacy of reason, tolerance and mutual respect
To advocate and work towards ensuring adherence to humanitarian norms in all conflict situations
To encourage the building of peaceful border areas between and among the countries of the region without resorting to conflict and violence
To resist and remove all forms of crime including traffic in women and children
To maintain mutually beneficial relations with international agencies such as the UN and SAARC and to promote dialogue and mutual cooperation
To campaign for a common strategy to protect the environment in the region and promote ecologically sound development
This is a humanitarian appeal following a recent visit by a few concerned South Asians from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal to Sri Lanka. We would like to bring to the attention of Governments of South Asia and the Peoples’ Movements in this region the urgent humanitarian concern for the 30...
Tribute to Deshpande: Indian Delegation to arrive in City
By Amar Guriro
KARACHI: An Indian delegation is due to arrive in the city on Thursday evening to attend the discussion forum arranged to pay tribute to the Gandhian icon Nirmala Deshpande.
The delegation would include senior Indian journalist Jatin Desai, renowned India...