PEOPLE’S SAARC

Peoples’ SAARC on ‘Envisioning New South Asia: Peoples’ Perspective’ held on 18-19 January 2011 at Dhaka

PRESS STATEMENT, 20th Jan 2011

Participants in the seminar organized by Peoples SAARC on 18-19 January 2011 in Dhaka on ‘Envisioning New South Asia: Peoples’ Perspective’ discussed the possible contours of an effective SAARC Union and the possibility of a peaceful, democratic, united and just South Asia.. The group observed thatSouth Asia is home to some of the world’s richest; and also of the largest number of poor people in the world. The region is plagued by conflict, poverty, lack of access to basic necessities and services; and ravaged by conflicts of various kinds. Rampant unemployment, feudalism, abysmal living conditions of the large majority, is further complicated by religious sectarian violence and state sponsored violence, both domestic and cross border.

There is an urgent need to find solutions to the deep seated problems in the South Asian region. And clearly, these cannot be found in the failed neo-liberal paradigm, nor in the right wing alternatives based on religious sectarianism and national chauvinism. It is also clear to us that the solutions to what are common problems spanning the entire region are more likely to be effective if they are regional in scope. Regional unity can be a good beginning to finding solutions and alternatives.

Yet many of the governments of the SAARC countries, particularly the more powerful ones, are not upholding the lofty ideals that form part of the SAARC Charter which they are committed to defend.

Although SAFTA has been in place since the 1980s, formal trade within the region is still negligible. Intra-regional trade can be a vehicle for pro-poor, equitable growth, but only when such trade includes safeguards and regulations to allow for equitable growth both within and between countries. The Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that are being negotiated and implemented within the region bilaterally and with other countries follow a neo-liberal model that undermines labor regulations and benefits richer countries disproportionately. The EU-India FTA currently being negotiated is based on the unequal power relation between the north and the south and if signed would seriously affect the economic interest and livelihood of the people of South Asia. Intra-regional trade based on the principles of complementarity and protection of workers, farmers and other marginalized communities is necessary and essential for the economic well-being of countries in the region.

Climate change is a critical issue throughout the region, with coastal and mountainous communities facing the greatest threat. Climate justice is closely linked with the more fundamental questions of poverty, marginalisation, deprivation, and skewed development. We appeal to the governments of SAARC to respond to this threat by addressing the question of climate justice, and also by working out unified positions on the climate negotiations and climate justice, and measures taken in energy policy and the development of clean technology.

While conflicts are tearing apart the region and the countries of South Asia, in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India the “war on terror” is claiming thousands of lives as collateral damage. This conflict cannot be resolved without accountability for those who have committed crimes on all sides, including governments. Solutions must be driven by the affected communities whenever possible through transparent processes designed to build trust between communities.

We in PSAARC are deeply concerned about the rise in sectarian violence, militancy based on nationalism and religion, and the support they are getting from the various quarters including the state, Army, Intelligence agencies, etc. Terrorist violence in the name of religion, which was historically sponsored by imperialism has extended its pernicious tentacles all over the region. Wars are being fought over natural resources, for geo-political gains, and also for the hearts and minds of the citizens.

Religious extremism has been spawned by imperialist interests and their drive for global hegemony. It should be fought collectively by the people of South Asia. An increased commitment to democracy and justice and the intensification is the only way to combat this trend.

Fundamental to the creation of a united, peaceful and prosperous South Asia is a liberalised visa regime. The tightening of visa restrictions does not affect those who carry arms and carry out armed attacks on innocents. These are criminals and they do not apply for visas. Those who are affected are those with familiesin neighbouring countries, those who work on cooperative projects between South Asian countries, those who are peace activists….and also those who are traveling in search of a livelihood.

It isnatural that people from the less prosperous regions migrate to placeswhere they can make a living for themselves and their survival. This issue is therefore closely linked with development. The governments of SAARC Countries have an obligation to protect the rights of all South Asian people to earn a decent livelihood. Criminalising them in the name of ‘illegal migration’ is not an option.

The new South Asian region can be created only when we and our political leadership have the courage to develop and implementsolutions to these issues. This meeting is an important first step towards this.

We, members of academia, trade unions, NGOs, social movements, womens organizations, who are part of the loose network called PSAARC, believe that SAARCmust play a pro-active role to fulfill the aspirations of the people of South Asia along with civil society organizations. Towards this we appeal to the Bangladeshi government, which has been striving to build and extend democracy for its peoples, and from whom we have very high expectations, to support these aspirations of the people of the region.

Precipitating organization and persons:
From AFGANISTAN: RAZ MOHD DALILI- SDE. From INDIA: MEENA RUKMINI MENON- FOCUS, JATIN BABU DESAI-Fucus, LALITA RAMDAS-Greenpeace, KAMLA BHASIN-Sangat, KAMAL ARON MITRA CHENOY -JNU, , Samir Dossai -Action Aid, NEERA CHANDHOKE, BABULAL SHARMA- SAPA, ASHOK GHOSH CHOWDHURY - NFFPFW/NITU,ROMA MALIK -NFFPFW/UP, GAUTAM MODY NTUI, DR.AMRITA CHHACHHI ,ANIL KUMAR CHAUDHURY, Dipali Sharma - Action Aid. From MALDIVES: LATHEEF MOHAMED. From MANILA: JENINA JOY CHAVEZ-Focus. From NEPAL: SARBA RAJ KHADKA-SAAPE/RRW, NETRA PRASAD-TIMSINA Nepal, RACHITA SHARMA DHUNGEL-SAAPE, KAPIL SHRESTHA- NEOC, GOPAL KRISHNA SIWAKOTI - ANFREL, LILADHAR UPADHYAYA-The rising Nepal, BISHNU PUKAR SHRESTHA-CAHURAST, DINASH TRIPATHI- Civil Ribs Association Nepal. From PAKISTAN: KARAMAT ALI, FARRUKH SOHAIL GOINDI - Jumhoori Publications, ZULFIQAR ALI HALEPOTO-PPC, MOHAMED ILYAS- PLP,HASIL KHAN BIZENJO, MOHAMMED ASLAM MERAJ,NAJMA SADEQUE-SHIRKAT GDH, ZAHIDA PARVEEN DETHO- SRPO, SHARAFAT ALI PILER, NADEEM ASHRAF , Anjuman Magarccn Panjab, SHAIKH ASAD REHMAN-Suugi Development Fuondation. From SRILANKA : MOHAMMAD MARUF-Peoples SPACE, SUNILA ABEY SEKARA –SANGAT. From BANGLAESH : Md. Halal uddin - Ongikar, Shahida Khan-Rupanter, Lutfar rahman-BTUC, Mangal Kumar Chakma- PCJSS, Fawzia - SANGAT & UNDP, ADITTYA - IED, Mohiuddin Mohi- SAAPE, Nasir Uddin-GUP/SAPA,Uma Chudhury- SUPRO, Shamima Akter-ASWO foundation,KG Moazzam-CPD, NAVSHARAN SINGH -IDRC, Wajedul Islam-BTUC, Mohammad Latif, Badrul Alam -BKF, Asgor Ali Sabri - Action Aid, Monjur Rari Paramanik- Supro, Muzib-BNPS,M. Aslam- LOM, Titumir-UO, Himadri Ahsan-BNPS,Shahin anam - MJF, AHM Bazlur Rahman-BNNRC, Khushi Kabir- Nijerakori, Numan Ahmed- IED, Hareeda Hassan- ASK/SAHR, Anwar Hossain - WAVE Foundation, A.Haseeb Khan- RIC,

For more clarification, please contact;
Reza, Chief Moderator, EquityBD, Mobile +8801711529792,
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C/O SAAPE, PO 8130, 288 Gairidhara Marg, Gairidhara, Kathmandu, Nepal. (T) (977) 14004976,