Form human rights commission in S Asia
Urge speakers
Speakers at a press conference yesterday said a regional human rights commission should be formed to watch over human rights violations in South Asian countries.
Human rights violations like extra-judicial killings, political prisoners, border killings and abuses are taking place in the countries including Bangladesh, they said, adding that such commission could be a step towards a solution in this regard.
The press conference at city's Jatiya Press Club marked the end of a three-day 5th General Forum of Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy (SAPA), a regional advocacy group on human rights for the countries.
Each of the countries should also form national human rights commissions just like Bangladesh, the speakers said.
The forum calls for release of all political prisoners, trade union activists and human rights defenders in the region, they said.
Specific charges must be brought against political prisoners and legal procedures should be followed, said Jemina Joy Chavez from Focus on the Global South, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working in Thailand, the Philippines and India.
Talking about the killings in the borders between India and Bangladesh, speakers said it is worrying that Indian authorities remained silent after a young Bangladeshi girl was killed and left hanging on a barbwire fence.
They said these killings are more than just border issues and need to be discussed among the neighbouring countries.
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