Report on the Fact Finding Mission to the North & East of Sri-Lanka to Asses the State of Displaced Persons

This report on the state of displaced persons in the North and East of Sri Lanka analyses the security conditon and concerns of those who live in makeshifts and camps in conflict affected areas. It provides an overview of the current ground situation, i.e. the altered displacement landscape and the dynamics which shape the distribution of aid and resettlement. [SAHR]Sri Lanka, displaced persons, conflict

The State of Human Rights in Bangladesh

The system of justice in Bangladesh is derived from the common law system. The judiciary tends to be conservative in its application of international law. While in many cases the judiciary has cited international laws, its decisions have not always been based on these laws. The high court division, in cases relating to women's rights, has often based its decision on the constitution, rather than on the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of discrimination against Women. [SAHR]Bangladesh, human rights, judiciary, election, UN, civil and political rights.

Transparency in Parliament: A Review of the Procedures and Practices in South Asia along with Recommended Guidelines for Increasing Openness

This paper examines the functioning of Parliaments in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka1 in order to gauge the extent of openness and access from the point of view of both Members of Parliament (MPs) and citizens. The rule books, secondary literature and the websites of Parliament are the chief sources of information. In this paper it is tried to identify the extent of openness in the functioning of Parliaments that is required by their rule books and compared it with what is found in actual practice. Aspects of the working of Parliaments are dealt with under five broad categories. The analysis of openness and access to information in relation to every category of activity is followed up with a set of recommendations containing guidelines which would increase transparency if adopted and fully implemented. [SAHR Reports]. URL:[http://www.southasianrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Tranparency-in-Parliament-Final2.pdf].South Asia, voters-cum-taxpayers, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Members of Parliament (MPs), constitution, United Progressive Alliance, Sinhala, Tamil

Report on SAHR Fact Finding Mission to the North and East of Sri Lanka to Assess the State of Displaced Persons

This report on the state of displaced persons in the North and East of Sri Lanka analyses the security condition and concerns of those who live in makeshifts and camps in conflict affected areas. It provides an overview of the current ground situation,and highlights the manner in which resettlement, sometimes forced resettlement, is changing the ethnic composition of certain areas, and being used to establish the political dominance of certain parties/segments of the population. It also sets out the current living conditions of displaced persons (right to life, liberty, food, water etc.) and also provides an analysis of the causes of displacement within the framework of the human security vs militarisation debate.Sri Lanka, North and East Sri Lanka, resettlement, refugee, militarisation, human security, displaced person, human rights, conflict situation, South Asia, sociology, History, Politics

At a Glance -- Peace Process in Nepal

King Gyanendra of Nepal took over as a king after the royal massacre incidence in 2007. But soon after taking the power people of Nepal were fed up of his authoritarian tendencies and the continuous unrest in the country. The brutality of king Gyanendra compelled political forces in Nepal to come together against him irrespective of their political differences. People of Nepal voted in April and overthrew the Monarchy. This transformation of power from constitutional monarchy to people’s democracy was a milestone in the history of democratic movement in Nepal. The present paper describes the process of Nepal becoming a democratic state.democracy, authoritarian tendencies, political forces, revolution.

A Human Rights Commission Must Have Effective Powers

Ratification imposes specific obligations on a state to incorporate human rights into national laws, to amend legislation, to promote, protect and fulfill human rights and prevent violations of human rights through its policies and practices. It also agreed to submit periodical reports on measures taken in fulfillment of its commitments, and to set up machineries to monitor and check violations.Human rights, Bangladesh, laws, violations, government, state

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan - Annual Report Highlights

For a better part of the year 2007 the state of Pakistan was only half alive. That naturally reduced its capacity, never rated high, to guarantee the people's human rights. Thus, from the point of view of the people's entitlements, their needs as well as their rights, 2007 proved to be one of the worst years in Pakistan's history, if not the worst. [SAHR]Pakistan, emergency, human rights, suicide bombings, judiciary