South Asians for Human Rights

 
General Congress of South Asians for Human Rights SAHR, New Delhi

This year the participants of the Post Graduate Diploma Course in Human Rights RLEK had the unique opportunity of attending the Inaugural General Congress of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) held at the Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 11-12th November 2001The participants interacted with eminent personalities like Ms. Mary Robinson from UN Human Rights Commission, Ms. Asma Jahangir, human rights activist of Pakistan, Mr. I.K. Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Amirul Islam, Hon'ble Justice P.N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, Ms. Hameeda Hussain, Dr. Kamal Hussain, former foreign minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Dr. I.A. Rehman, Ms. Aruna Roy, Magasaysay award winner, Hon'ble Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India and presently Chairman of Constitutional Review Committee, Ms. Nirmala Despande, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Ms. Anis Hussain and Nobel Laureate, Dr. Amarteya Sen, Ms. Shabana Azmi, noted film actress and Member of Rajya Sabha, Ms. Medha Patekar environmental activist to name a few.

Participants had such a positive and productive interaction with the people who are working in the Human Rights field that they got placements and jobs offers.

The discussions were enriching as the participants were stalwarts in their respective field / arena. The eight students (two each from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal) and faculty accompanied by RLEK Chairperson Mr. Avdhash Kaushal witnessed this august gathering of intellectuals hailing from SAARC countries and the United Nation. The conference had a beautiful and relevant title 'Including the Excluded'.

Ms. Mary Robinson, very aptly highlighted that the "Barriers to equality must be dismantled with regards to the whole spectrum of Human Rights" Another essential feature that was discussed was the Right to Development which so may South Asians are deprived off today. Numerous sessions were held and with each session the participants were able to broader the horizon of their knowledge and gain immensely from the insights presented.

The essence of SAHR is to localize International Standards while being in sync with International framework. By doing this universal values are enriched with regional experiences and approaches dignity of every individual, irrespective of race, colour, creed, nation and religions were reaffirmed and human rights violations faced by all the South Asians and pledge to join forces and combat this exclusion and deprivation.

The Conference altered our perspective on Human Rights as a subject as well as a tool to help the suppressed, oppressed and wronged. SAHR will surely act as an advocate of "ensuring adherence to humanitarian norms in all conflict situations'.