Wanted for SAARC: a shift in focus

As the 14th SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit draws nearer and the host, the Indian government, begins to step up its preparations, it seems a good time to raise certain questions. The vision of SAARC today should be that of a South Asia that is integrated, prosperous and peaceful; a South Asia driven by its own citizens with human and peoples8217; rights as the cornerstone of its political programmes.

Three developments 8212; terror and counter-terror, corporate globalisation, and political violence 8212; have been deeply impacted the region. In Bangladesh, politically motivated misuse of institutions of the state, including the police and the judiciary, and the frequent use of violence against political opponents have had grave impact on respect for human rights. The human rights situation in Sri Lanka has deteriorated dramatically and there is no end to unlawful killings, recruitment of child soldiers and so on. The Pakistani government is committing numerous human rights violations as a result of the 8216;war on terror8217;. More than 85 per cent of detainees at Guantanamo Bay were arrested, not on the battlefield by the US forces, but by the Afghan Northern Alliance and in Pakistan, at a time when rewards of up to 5,000 were paid for every 8216;terrorist8217; turned over to the US. The continuing saga of the Bhopal gas tragedy and the AFSPA, disappearances in Kashmir, the massive displacements and repression in the wake of SEZs, loom large before the Indian government, readying itself to take a lead in SAARC.

In this context, SAARC needs a paradigmatic shift. It came into being with the aim of accelerating the process of economic and social development among members. Today, however, it requires each member state to promote and protect human rights, equality between men and women, and condemnation of unconstitutional changes of governments.

Everyone has certain human rights and fundamental freedoms that South Asian governments must uphold. This is required even more today, as the governments in the region are also being shaped through military dictatorships, ethnic and religious conflicts, emergencies and political violence. There are a number of treaties, declarations and resolutions to this effect. Despite this, if our governments today continue to violate human rights and justify their actions on grounds of 8216;security8217;, it is up to the regional community as a whole to protect these rights on behalf of the people of South Asia. We need to remember the late K.R. Narayanan8217;s address, 8216;SAARC 2000 and Beyond8217;: 8216;SAARC must place emphasis on non-governmental and people8217;s initiatives and participation. It is perhaps on a wave of peoples8217; interest and enthusiasm that SAARC could carry the governments and fulfil its destiny.8217;

The writer is director, Amnesty International in India