South Asians for Human Rights

South Asians for Human Rights SAHR is a regional organization with a South Asian membership base committed to promoting human rights, peace and democracy in the region. I.K.
(1)

South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) is a regional organization with a South Asian membership base consisting of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, political workers and leaders, social activists as well as human rights organizations committed to promoting human rights, peace and democracy in the region. SAHR was formed as the result of a convention held at Neemrana, India, in July 2000

convened by a five-member committee comprising Mr. Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Kamal Hossain from Bangladesh, Dr. Devendra Raj Panday from Nepal, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy from Sri Lanka, Mr. Kuldip Nayar from India, and Mrs. Asma Jahangir from Pakistan to discuss the possibility of a South Asian regional human rights organisation. The SAHR Secretariat is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. SAHR believes in fostering and feeding movements for democracy, human rights and peace that subscribe to international human rights norms and are committed to using peaceful means for their realization. It is committed to finding and adopting approaches for the promotion of human rights that are compatible with the concept of pluralism and give due recognition to multiple South Asian identities and the rich diversity of cultures.

For years, exaggerated claims about “crores of infiltrators” have been repeated in rallies and campaigns, while official...
10/06/2026

For years, exaggerated claims about “crores of infiltrators” have been repeated in rallies and campaigns, while official responses have often admitted that exact numbers are difficult to determine. When uncertain data is turned into political certainty, ordinary workers pay the price.
https://thewire.in/rights/at-bengals-borders-pushbacks-are-punishment

For years, exaggerated claims about “crores of infiltrators” have been repeated in rallies and campaigns, while official responses have often admitted that exact numbers are difficult to determine. When uncertain data is turned into political certainty, ordinary workers pay the price.

A reason for this failure is that they have always been controlled and guided by upper-caste politicians. The establishe...
10/06/2026

A reason for this failure is that they have always been controlled and guided by upper-caste politicians. The established parties themselves have greatly lost credibility and have run out of an effective agenda for expected economic progress and social transformation.
Dalits are stuck with the same old and tired narratives, framed while fighting for democracy prior to 1990. Still, Dalit leaders and intellectuals emphasise economic advancement, economic progress, employment opportunities and better representation in state authorities.

https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/06/08/why-the-dalit-movement-needs-to-talk-about-humiliation

The Dalit movement must move beyond traditional narratives and adopt new ones, mainly humiliation, in accordance with the changing realities.

Legal experts and former judges have repeatedly observed that the justice system often remains inaccessible for the poor...
10/06/2026

Legal experts and former judges have repeatedly observed that the justice system often remains inaccessible for the poor because of high legal expenses, lengthy procedures, corruption, and social inequality.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/412106/beyond-the-reach-of-the-poor

Although the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and the right to healthcare, millions of ordinary citizens still struggle to obtain legal protection and medical treatment.  Legal experts and former judges have repeatedly observed that the justice system...

“Pakistan’s demand from the Taliban is simple and clear: verifiable and non-reversible action against terrorists. Regret...
10/06/2026

“Pakistan’s demand from the Taliban is simple and clear: verifiable and non-reversible action against terrorists. Regrettably, this demand remains unmet. The window for course correction is narrowing but is still open. We hope the Taliban realise this in earnest and cooperate with the international community for the long-term peace and development of Afghanistan and, above all, in the best interest of all Afghans,” he said, concluding his address.
https://www.dawn.com/news/2006316/indias-key-objectives-in-afghanistan-solely-driven-by-singular-goal-of-destabilising-pakistan-envoy-tells-unsc

Pakistan's envoy to UN slams India for not even once condemning TTP or BLA, notes New Delhi's "newfound love for the Taliban".

As men migrate for work, Nepal’s women are increasingly taking up agriculture – but society, policies and support system...
09/06/2026

As men migrate for work, Nepal’s women are increasingly taking up agriculture – but society, policies and support systems are slow to catch up
https://www.himalmag.com/nepal-women-farmers-climate-change-reform/

As men migrate for work, Nepal’s women are increasingly taking up agriculture – but society, policies and support systems are slow to catch up

Across South Asia, younger generations are increasingly using irony, memes and satire not as entertainment alone but as ...
09/06/2026

Across South Asia, younger generations are increasingly using irony, memes and satire not as entertainment alone but as political language. Unlike traditional political messaging, satire allows emotional honesty without formal structure. It enables young people to speak about unemployment, inequality and frustration without needing party membership or ideological alignment.
https://groundviews.org/2026/06/05/how-south-asias-gen-z-is-rewriting-power-through-memes-satire-and-digital-resistance/

Photo courtesy of BBC The recent viral rise of the so-called Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in India appears, at first glance, like an internet joke taken too far. Built around irony and self-deprecating humour, the movement describes its members as unemployed, chronically online and skilled at profess...

For a government that has repeatedly spoken of democratic renewal, this should be cause for reflection. Freedom of expre...
09/06/2026

For a government that has repeatedly spoken of democratic renewal, this should be cause for reflection. Freedom of expression cannot be measured solely by the absence of formal bans. It must also be measured by whether writers, artists, journalists and ordinary citizens can express themselves without fear of arbitrary restriction, detention or bureaucratic suppression.
https://groundviews.org/2026/06/08/old-laws-new-regulations-and-the-return-of-invisible-censorship/

Photo courtesy of Sri Lanka Campaign The refusal to release of four books authored by Tamil writer Theepachelvan Pradeepan by Sri Lanka Customs in recent weeks has generated significant public debate. What initially appeared to be a routine administrative dispute over imported publications has evolv...

Nepal’s graduation story proves this point. GDP alone cannot capture the resilience of households and care work that car...
09/06/2026

Nepal’s graduation story proves this point. GDP alone cannot capture the resilience of households and care work that carried the country forward and the wellbeing of the people. From a feminist economist perspective, this reinforces the argument that household and care sectors must be integrated into national accounting and policy frameworks. Without this recognition, GDP remains a distorted measure that undervalues the very sectors sustaining resilience.

https://nepalitimes.com/rethinking-nepals-graduation-to-middle-income

Green growth and care work can create jobs and attract Nepali migrants back

India's Border Security Force (BSF) is reportedly attempting to forcibly push numerous people suspected of being Banglad...
09/06/2026

India's Border Security Force (BSF) is reportedly attempting to forcibly push numerous people suspected of being Bangladeshis into Bangladesh from various parts of West Bengal, according to the prominent West Bengal human rights organisation, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR).

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/0qdgd3ykg0

India's Border Security Force (BSF) is reportedly attempting to forcibly push numerous people suspected of being Bangladeshis into Bangladesh from various parts of West Bengal, according to the prominent West Bengal human rights organisation, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR). A...

Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of civilians being held hostage by armed groups ...
09/06/2026

Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of civilians being held hostage by armed groups in Manipur, warning that their continued captivity reflects a deepening human rights crisis amid the authorities’ ongoing failure to protect people from escalating ethnic violence in the state.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/06/india-release-all-hostages-and-end-cycle-of-violence-in-manipur/

Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of civilians being held hostage by armed groups in Manipur, warning that their continued captivity reflects a deepening human rights crisis amid the authorities’ ongoing failure to protect people from escalating ethnic violenc...

Address

Colombo

Telephone

+94112695910

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when South Asians for Human Rights posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to South Asians for Human Rights:

Shortcuts

Share

Category