South Asia Citizens Web

The Khap Panchayats and their supporters have raised dissenting voices against the enactment of a comprehensive law on ’honour’ killings. This is understandable as these extra-constitutional and mob-gathering forums have always considered themselves above the law of the land. The time has come when all those who are organically attached to the ideals of secular and liberal values intervene to stop such ghastly murders of young people. They have to press for the enactment of a law today

The trial of celebrated Indian pediatrician Binayak Sen, a tireless advocate for the poor and marginalized in India’s Chattisgarh State, ends on 24 December 2010. A judge is expected to deliver a verdict in this widely-watched case that is marked by unsubstantiated allegations and intimidation of human rights advocates. Here is the text of a final statement made by Dr Binayak Sen.

The recent microfinance ordinance in Andhra Pradesh, India has unleashed a vibrant debate on the rapidly expanding role of this source of credit.

At the end of his recent visit, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, along with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a joint statement reaffirming their "shared endeavour to strengthen democracy, transparency and accountability". However, apart from promoting these "shared values", Sarkozy was looking to win business deals for France. The biggest such deal involved nuclear reactors for Jaitapur, a town on the Konkan coast at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. If this deal goes through, Jaitapur could become the site of the world’s largest nuclear complex.

The Cancun Agreements are bad for the world, unfair to the South’s vulnerable people, and soft on the North. Of the promised $30 billion “fast track” finance by 2012, the North has so far mobilised only $4.5 billion. A good chunk of Northern assistance will come from the private sector and take the form of loans or equity. Some of it won’t be “new and additional funding,” but will be taken out of existing aid flows.