SAHR concerned democratization delay

Kathmandu, December 07: The South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) has expressed concern over the delay in democratization process of Bhutan.

In a statement issued on Friday at the end of its regional meet held in Kathmandu, the regional human rights group called for speedy democratization in Bhutan.

It further demanded for effective guarantees for human rights in the country and a fair settlement of the crisis being created after eviction of the Bhutanese citizens from their country.

The SAHR also expressed concerned at the continued denial of democratic rights to large parts of the South Asian family and called for intensive efforts by national communities, severally and collectively, to secure to all people their right to democracy and justice.

In a wide ranging discussion, the regional meet concentrated on ways and means of increasing the electoral role of the economically weaker classes, minorities and women across South Asia since many countries in this region will observe elections in the next few months.

Some other issues discussed during the meet included minimum institutional guarantees for free and fair elections, the need for states' pro-democracy orientation, transparency of the electoral process, the requisites of an independent election commission, the creation of mechanism for effective projection in elected bodies of pluralist societies and post–election accountability of elected representatives.

Members of the SAHR and experts from Afghanistan , Bangladesh, Bhutan , India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka attended the meet. Bhutan News Service