South Asia Citizens Web

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the arrest and manhandling of 32 peaceful protesters who had gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s residence in Balutawar, Kathmandu, on 25 January 2013. One of the protesters, a transgender activist, has been injured after being beaten by four policemen during the protest, and was carried to the hospital. A total of 32 protesters were arrested and detained for three hours. The movement was called to protest against overreaching gender-based violence, impunity and decay of the rule of law in the country which has enabled perpetrators of human rights violations to escape accountability. The AHRC calls on the government of Nepal to respect the freedom to peaceful protest of all and expresses its solidarity with the movement against impunity and gender-based violence.

We, in solidarity with Ashis Nandy, stand against such kind of media violence and culture of intolerance.

We, the people observing this global vigil for peace between India and Pakistan on January 27, 2013, want to tell the governments of India and Pakistan that people in dozens of cities across six continents want them to continue the dialogue and take forward the peace process.

It is highly unfortunate that sports continues to be one of the victims of political and military tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian government appears to be tacitly complicit in these moves. Earlier this month, Pakistan’s hockey players were sent back home from India after extremists protested against their participation in a professional hockey league there. And now our women’s cricket team faces extra pressure as it hopes to makes its presence felt in the World Cup, despite receiving a hostile reception in India. It is apparent that a vast majority of people on both sides of the border are in favour of improved relations between the two countries. They also overwhelmingly support a long-term revival of bilateral sporting ties.

New Delhi - 26 Jan 2013: An estimated 1000 people staged a " Freedom Parade" from Mandi house to Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi demanding gender equality and speedy implementation of recommendations of Justice Verma Committee set up after a Delhi gang-rape incident.

Students from Delhi University, IGNOU, JNU and Jamia Milia Islamia and scores of citizens of Delhi took part in the parade.

The call had come on a platform through Facebook group called "Freedom Without Fear — Bekhauf Azadi" to stage the protest in the capital on Republic Day in order to " Reclaim The Republic".
The march was supported by student and women organisations All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) and All India Student’s Association (AISA) among others. Photos by Mukul Dube and Harsh Kapoor