July 28, 2025
Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) hosted a two-day regional conference of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) in Lahore, focusing on the theme: “Building a Regional Rights-Based Movement in South Asia.” The event brought together prominent human rights defenders, legal experts, civil society members, and activists from across the region to discuss the pressing human rights challenges faced by South Asian countries.
Speakers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Pakistan attended the conference in person. Meanwhile, representatives from India and Afghanistan participated virtually, addressing the conference and contributing to various thematic sessions.
In his welcome address, HRCP Secretary-General Harris Khalique emphasized the urgency of building cross-border solidarity amid rising poverty, displacement, and democratic decline across South Asia. Keynote speaker Dr. Syeda Hameed called for renewed people-to-people movements rooted in South Asia’s shared heritage. Former HRCP chairperson Hina Jilani, in her keynote address, stressed that human rights work cannot thrive in isolation and urged sustained collective struggle across the region.
The event saw a large audience, including human rights workers, lawyers, students, and representatives from civil society organizations. Sessions during the conference covered a broad spectrum of topics such as democratic freedoms, freedom of expression, minority rights, enforced disappearances, political interference, gender-based restrictions, and the impact of climate change.
One of the conference sessions focused on the human rights situation Bhavani Fonseka, a prominent Sri Lankan human rights activist, highlighted the issue of enforced disappearances in her country. She stated that the problem remains one of the most alarming human rights concerns in Sri Lanka, with the number of enforced disappearances reportedly nearing 50,000. Fonseka emphasized the urgent need for accountability and justice for the families affected by these disappearances.
From Nepal, Dr. Bipin Adhikari, a professor at Kathmandu University, discussed issues of political interference and appointments. He pointed out that political appointments made by ruling parties are a major concern in Nepal, which leads to institutional dysfunction and undermines the independence of public institutions. According to Dr. Adhikari, the credibility of democratic structures is at risk due to such practices.
Speaking on the issue of freedom of expression in Pakistan, Munizae Jahangir, co-chairperson of HRCP and a television anchor, shared her concerns regarding restrictions on the media. She stated that many critical issues cannot be openly discussed on mainstream media platforms in Pakistan. Jahangir noted that journalists are often unable to mention the names of certain individuals or cover specific topics due to censorship and fear of repercussions.
The second panel addressed the increasing marginalization of religious and ethnic minorities. Speakers warned of systematic exclusion through state-sponsored policies in India and Bangladesh, diminishing spaces for Muslim and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, and growing vulnerability for minorities in Pakistan. They discussed how nationalism, populism, and religious majoritarianism have contributed to widespread dehumanization.
Another session was dedicated to climate justice. Campaigners raised concerns about the worsening climate crisis and its disproportionate effects on marginalized communities. They identified poor governance, unchecked industrial pollution, and inadequate national and international responses as key issues. Speakers called for enhanced regional cooperation, equitable development, and improved data sharing for effective disaster preparedness and environmental management.
In the final plenary session, speakers discussed the interdependence of civil, political, and socioeconomic rights. They called for the revival of regional platforms such as SAARC and the strengthening of existing networks to amplify shared concerns. Speakers highlighted the increasing misuse of repressive laws, including anti-terrorism, sedition, and restrictions on digital freedoms. They emphasized the importance of building safe spaces and support networks for human rights defenders facing threats and harassment.
Roshmi Goswami, co-chair of SAHR, proposed a joint memorandum on the human rights situation in Gaza. Asad Iqbal Butt, chairperson of HRCP, concluded by stating that cross-border solidarity is not just a luxury, but a necessary path forward for the region.