South Asia Citizens Web

The South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), a regional level civil society network encompassing all eight countries of South Asia, welcomes the new constitution of Nepal promulgated on 20th September 2015 by an overwhelming majority (90% votes in favour) of Constituent Assembly members. Although we had witnessed several problems during the constitution making process that the Constituent Assembly of Nepal had encountered, we welcome the result that followed the democratic processes during the constitution drafting and finalisation process. In this context, we express our solidarity with the people of Nepal and the genuine demands of Tharu, Dalit, Women, Janatis and Madhesis, which we urge the government of Nepal, the political parties, and groups that are protesting to settle through peaceful dialogue and by incorporating amendments in the constitution as appropriate.

We call upon all concerned citizens to urge executive bodies of autonomous cultural and academic institutions such as NMML to protect the space for democratic discussion, dissent and minority views at these sites which exist for the of exchange of ideas. Equally, those who are appointed to run these institutions must have independent standing and sound credentials in their field and be given the room to work creatively while keeping their intellectual and professional dignity intact.

THE law in Pakistan is sometimes far from safe in the hands of lawyers.

On 2 October 2015 there was a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, to protest the killing of Mohd. Akhlaq in the Dadri area.

There are some laws that are observed more in the breach. The law on Delhi’s permissible drinking age must be one of them. India recognises its citizens as responsible adults when they attain 18 years of age. You can vote, get a driving licence or join the military at 18; the legal age for marriage is 18 for girls and 21for boys. Yet it’s illegal for you to have a drink in a public place before you turn 25.