South Asia Citizens Web

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, we think it is indeed important to consider inclusive citizenship, not only in terms of race, gender, religion and sexuality, but also in recognising foreign nationals who are long-term residents of Bangladesh and have been active participants of the national/political community.

Prominent Delhi musicians performed in solidarity with Dr. Binayak Sen at the ’Justice on Trial’ events held at the Alliance Francaise de Delhi on the 6th April.

India’s Parliament must insist that the government should direct its Department of Atomic Energy to immediately examine and make recommendations to the government on the structure of an independent surveillance and regulatory authority for the defence nuclear facilities, says Dr A Gopalakrishnan

Confronted with the intractable problems that the messy but occasionally creative world of democracy brings with it, some civil society organisations prefer to substitute democracy with administration. Establish a Jan Lokpal, endow it with colossal power, bestow on it the status of a Leviathan, and all our problems will be solved. Sorry, this is not democratic.

Malaysian NGOs on Military Spending are concerned about the carte blanche given to the Ministry of Defence for arms purchases while health, education and other social services are still so deplorable. The total security allocation under the Tenth Malaysia Plan is RM23 billion. The arms race among the Southeast Asian countries seems the most pointless after all the talk at conferences on ASEAN integration. Even so, each country’s attempt to be ahead in the race is self-defeating. Minimising the defence budget in Malaysia and throughout ASEAN can free more valuable resources into urgently needed social services and socially useful production.