Regional Working Groups: Assessment of Major Problems and Formulating Strategies
Region 5: South Asia
Moderated by: Nirmala Buch (President, Mahila Chetna Manch and former Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, India)

Presenters: Zohra Yusuf (Council Member, Human Rights Commission, Pakistan) and Ro Ding (Central Committee Member and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, National League for Democracy, Burma), Ms. Yusuf drew on her experience in Pakistan, which has endured several military coups, to discuss the issue of disruptions in the democratic process. These disruptions do not allow for an environment where democracy can flourish. She also referred to the legal order promulgated by the military government. On one hand, the government provides representation to armed forces in the National Security Council, which is being created as a supra legislative body. The president also has the power to dismiss the elected prime minister and dissolve the parliament. On the other hand, the new legal order does have some positive elements, most notably the greater representation of women in parliament, establishing the legal age for employment at eighteen years, and ending the odious system of separate electorates on a religious basis.

Mr. Ro Ding discussed the struggle for democracy in Burma and the need for support from South Asian countries. Burma’s strategic location has serious implications for the countries of the region Priorities for the region include promotion of human rights and democracy, combating religious extremism, and supporting political dialogue as a means of settling disputes without resort to force.

Professor Aslam discussed the case of India. He referred to the UNDP Human Development Report to emphasize the importance of promoting democracy in the region. He explained in detail the various initiatives taken in India, including:

• Integrating civic education / human rights into primary and secondary and education curriculum.
• A growing number of certificates, diplomas and degree programmes on human rights offered by Indian universities.-- Several positive steps taken by the Human Rights Commission of India.

Professor Aslam considered the low allocation of funding to education, poverty reduction and easing social tensions as the main constraints on democracy. He concluded by saying that South Asian countries will do better if they cooperate to address these problems.

Other interventions by participants focused on the large gap between the poor majority and the rich minority in some countries, feudal political culture, and the lack of civic and democratic education. A positive note, some speakers mentioned that even conservative elements in some societies had embraced democracy.

The panel discussion highlighted the following issues and strategies for the promotion of democracy in the region:

1. The constraints of continuing socio-economic underdevelopment and inequality must be reduced with efforts at the national level with international support.
2. The creation and strengthening of institutions for safeguarding human rights and democratic rights. (e.g. by statute in the case of India
3. Democracy and democratic institutions need to be strengthened at all levels from the grassroots to the national level.
4. Addressing and recognizing local aspirations, negotiation and accommodation within the country’s constitutional framework to give all sectors a stake in democratic governance.
5. Promotion of civic education starting with the primary level as in India.
6. Active encouragement of democratic movements in South Asia with people to people contact and initiatives. Cross-national sharing of lessons learned will also help in the search for solutions to local problems.