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WSF Karachi: FORUM-ASIA highlights Human Rights Defenders and Democracy in Nepal

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FORUM-ASIA will be participating at the 6th Polycentric World Social Forum (WSF) in Karachi, from 24-29 March 2006. Issues related to human rights defenders in South Asia and the present crisis in Nepal will be highlighted at the Forum.

FORUM-ASIA is organising two public panel discussions and several other informal consultations amongst its members, partners and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms Hina Jilani. FORUM-ASIA members from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are expected to participate in this and other events.

FORUM-ASIA will be participating at the 6th Polycentric World Social Forum (WSF) in Karachi, from 24-29 March 2006. Issues related to human rights defenders in South Asia and the present crisis in Nepal will be highlighted at the Forum.

FORUM-ASIA is organising two public panel discussions and several other informal consultations amongst its members, partners and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms Hina Jilani. FORUM-ASIA members from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are expected to participate in this and other events.

The main events organised by FORUM-ASIA at the WSF include:

1. Saturday 25th March: 10am – 12noon, at the WSF site (E501)): Bringing home the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to South Asia

This is a panel discussion on HRDs, with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders Ms Hina Jilani as keynote speaker, and panellists from South Asian countries. Speakers include –

Keynote speaker: Ms Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders.

Panellists: Human rights defenders from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Background:

More than seven years after the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders was adopted by all states, it still remains to be implemented in South Asia. Defenders continue to face threats, intimidation and harassment as they engage in their legitimate work of promoting and protecting human rights. These threats come from state actors such as police, armed forces, politicians, and as well as from non-state actors like militant groups, TNCs etc. Some defenders, like women defenders, face even more specific challenges due to their identity and the nature of human rights issues they take up. Some questions to be explored:

  • What are the challenges being faced by defenders in South Asia?
  • What is being done to implement the declaration and protect and recognise HRDs?
  • What more needs to be done?

Come and listen to stories of defenders from South Asia, dialogue with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights defenders and become part of the network of South Asian defenders in implementing the declaration.

2. Saturday 25th March: 2pm – 5pm, at the WSF site (venue to be announced soon): Democracy, peace and human rights in Nepal

A panel discussion on the challenges and prospects of building democracy and peace and protecting human rights in Nepal, in the context of the royal takeover and subsequent crackdowns on leaders of political parties, human rights defenders, journalists and student leaders.

 

For more information, contact:

Ruki Fernando, Coordinator, Human Rights Defenders Program, FORUM-ASIA
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Phone: +92-21-56608551-12 (Hotel Mehran, Karachi)
Mobile: +66-4-0991538 (Bangkok / Karachi)

Shekh Mohammad Altafur Rahman (Altaf), Coordinator, South Asian Program, FORUM-ASIA
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Phone: +92-21-56608551-12 (Hotel Mehran, Karachi)
Mobile: +92- 32-12936342 (03212936342 from Karachi)