HR Mechanism for South Asia
Core group proposed
A proposal for a core group to carry out future national advocacy on human rights with the aim of establishing a regional human rights mechanism for South Asia was handed over to Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday.
The core group, which comprises seven eminent personalities, was proposed in the concluding document, Dhaka Consensus, of a two-day workshop styled “National Consultation on South Asian Human Rights Mechanismâ€.
National Human Rights Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman and former advisors to a caretaker government Sultana Kamal and Rasheda K Chowdhury handed over the Dhaka Consensus to the foreign minister.
Other members of the group are Hameeda Hasan, South Asians for Human Rights member, Dr Saiduzzaman, Centre for Policy Dialogue trustee, Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, and Mahiuddin Ahmed, a former ambassador.
The workshop, which was held from December 3, was organised by the Regional Initiative for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism. The initiative is a network of organisations and individuals aiming to create an environment conducive to the establishment of a regional human rights mechanism for South Asia.
The workshop was an open platform for civil society organisations and representatives, academics, journalists, students, human rights activists and other professionals to discuss the role of citizen groups in building a regional framework.
The Dhaka Consensus states that the core group will prepare a concept note examining the rationale for a regional mechanism, expectations of citizen groups both in the country and region and the potential impact of such an initiative in strengthening regional cooperation between states.
Dipu Moni called the initiative “praiseworthy†and assured her government's highest support.
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