Statement of Task Force for Reg. HR Mechanism in South Asia:

Regional Initiative for a South Asia
Human Rights Mechanism
Peoples’ SAARC
Call to Action for a South-Asia Human Rights Charter and Mechanism
November 23, 2014
Kathmandu
We, the citizens, representatives of civil society organizations and people’s movements from all the
SAARC countries, assembled in the Peoples’ SAARC in Kathmandu on 23 November 2014,
Committed to and working towards the promotion and protection of human rights and social justice
in South Asia,
Deliberated up on the grave concerns of human rights issues faced by the peoples of South Asia,
and
Recognizing the challenges faced by, and the inadequacies of, the existing national arrangements
for the protection of human rights in the various countries of the SAARC which exist to redress
these imbalances. Hence,
We call up on the leaders of SAARC countries to promulgate a SAARC Human Rights
Charter for the protection and promotion, and education of human rights and fundamental
freedoms and liberties in South Asia.
We call up on the Heads of the governments of the member states of the SAARC to establish a
South Asia Human Rights Mechanism, and ensure the participation of people and vibrant civil
society of South Asia in such a process.
Subodh Raj Pyakurel
For People’s SAARC and
Co-Convener
Regional Initiative for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism