South Asia Citizens Web

We, the undersigned journalists, writers, historians and activists from South Asia, are deeply concerned about the use of ‘contempt of court’ law to curb freedom of expression. The conviction and sentencing on December 2, 2014, of Dhaka-based journalist David Bergman by the International Crimes Tribunal 2 on charges of “contempt of court” for citing published research on killings during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, is a serious set-back to Bangladesh’s commitment to free speech and independent scholarship.

A series of steps taken by the government in the name of reforms lay bare its motive to saffronise education and educational institutions at all costs. By T.K. RAJALAKSHMI (Frontline 26 Dec 2014)

The recent tragic deaths of the 13 women, following procedures of laparoscopic sterilisation in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, have flagged clear violations of ethical and quality norms in the health care system. Following these appalling incidents, a team of women’s and health rights activists from Sama, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and National Alliance for Maternal Health and Human Rights from Delhi and Chhattisgarh initiated a fact finding towards exploring and unravelling the gross violations that had taken place.

In a country fighting to preserve patriarchal and tribal traditions, Pakistan’s women can face brutality - and even death - if they fall in love with the wrong person.

Assisted reproduction is a complex phenomenon, located at the intersection of patriarchy, medicalization and commerce. These technologies create both challenges and opportunities, and responses to them have sought to balance questions of ethics, rights and politics. The essays in this volume map the journey of ARTs in different countries, examining the global industry and the challenges it poses in the context of markets, and look at regulatory framework in diverse setting. Together they bring a feminist lens to the examination of the now-established ART industry.