REGIONAL COOPERATION NEWSLETTER – SOUTH ASIA
APRIL-MAY-JUNE 2012
In this edition
Report on Presentation of Global Agenda for Social Work and Social
Development to UN
Report on International Workshop on Human Rights of Older Persons in
the Asia Pacific Region Held at Trivandrum, India
Disabled People Crossed 1 Million Mark Globally
Member Country News
Nepal: Human Rights Commission in Nepal
Sri Lanka: Assembly resolution of UNHRC on Implementation of
Recommendations of the LLRC
Bangladesh: Changing face of Bangladesh Economy
India: Activities of ICSW, India
REPORT ON PRESENTATION OF GLOBAL AGENDA FOR SOCIAL WORK AND
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO UN
The Global Agenda adopted by the delegates of Joint World Conference held in Hong Kong during
2010 of International Federation of Social Workers, the International Association of Social Work
and International Council on Social Welfare was presented to Ms Helen Clark Administrator of UN
Development Programme (UNDP) on World Social Work day – 26th March 2012. ICSW was
represented for this function by the global president Mr Christian Rollet and ICSW UN special
representative Sergei Zelenev.
The Global Agenda supports the call “to create a more socially – just and fair world which we will
be proud to leave to future generations”.
Commitments in the Agenda include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Promotion of social economic equalities
Promotion of dignity and work of people.
Working towards environmental sustainability.
Strengthening recognition of the importance of human relationships.
In the concluding part of her presentation Ms Helen Clark pointed out the vital role the social work
profession plays in building a more equitable and sustainable world and said the presentation of
the Global Agenda reminds us of the shared vision and values we have and the importance of
working together for a better world.
REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON HUMAN RIGHTS OF OLDER
PERSONS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION HELD AT TRIVANDRUM, INDIA
An International workshop on Human Rights of Older Persons in the Asia Pacific region was
organised by International Federation on Ageing, Canada and Centre for Gerontological Studies,
Trivandrum from 4th to 6th June 2012 at Mascot hotel.
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About 60 participants including human rights activists, educationalists, researchers and
representatives of the Senior Citizen Federation in India and representatives from abroad
participated in this workshop. Prof. PKB Nayar, Chairman,
Gerontological
Studies,
Trivandrum
welcomed
the
gathering.
The workshop was inaugurated by Ms Frederika Meijer,
UNFEA representative for India. Ms Cai Cai, Social Affairs
Officer UN ESCAP, Thailand delivered the keynote address.
The guest of honour was Ms Mohini Giri, former Chair of the
Women Human Rights Commission, India. The valedictory
function was moderated by Dr K.R. Gangadharan,
President, International Federation on Ageing and the
valedictory address was delivered by Dr M.K. Muneer,
Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Welfare.
Inaugural Session
Eminent speakers presented their views in the following technical sessions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The rights of older people to be healthy
Country perspectives on the right to health and wellbeing.
Role of civil society.
The right to be safe – a human rights perspective.
Lessons in advocacy on human rights
Representing
the
International
Council
on
Social
Welfare
at the workshop was Mr A.S. Shenoy, Regional President, South Asia
Regional Committee. Dr Jane Barratt, Secretary General, International
Federation of Ageing summed up the proceedings. Representatives
from Thailand, Republic of Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong,
Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, USA and Canada
participated in the workshop.
The workshop resolved to consolidate the working of various
associations for elders working in each nation and to represent
their voice collectively to the UN authorities by citing examples
backed by evidence and to represent in maximum numbers in
the next open ended working group meeting of the UN to be
held in August at USA.
A.S. Shenoy with Dr Jane Barratt
and Prof Nugayho Abikusrio
National Commission of Ageing
Republic of Indonesia
DISABLED PEOPLE CROSSED 1 MILLION MARK GLOBALLY
The number of disabled people is rising and now stands at one billion or 15 % of the global
population. According to the report of the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, despite a
robust disability rights movement and a shift towards inclusion of disabled people many remain
excluded and poor.
One of the important issues highlighted in the WHO report was the discrimination of
disabled people in health care. Disabled people in all countries are isolated, cash stripped and
struggling to participate in normal activities. In developed countries disabled people are denied
health care more than other people. Children with disabilities are less likely to start going to school
than other children. The employment rate in OECD Countries for disabled people is 44% compared
to 75% for people without disabilities.
Disabled people need not be poor and excluded. They need not be segregated. There is a
civil rights issue and civil society has to fight for the rights of people with disabilities. The UN has
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set an example in this direction by placing a duty on public bodies to promote equality and direct
cash transfers to disabled people.
MEMBER COUNTRY NEWS
Human Rights Commission in Nepal
The Human Rights Commission of Nepal formed during the last decade with international
support was unable to give Human Justice to cases referred to the commission as per the
published reports. The Commissioners of the Commission were reported to be engaged in multiple
court cases including allegations of corruption and were plagued by internal problems which
reduced the Commission to an administrative arm of the Government rather than an independent
institutional body.
But in 2011 the Internal Co-ordination Committee of the National Human Rights
Institutions (NHRI’s) charged with accreditation has awarded the NARC of Nepal ‘A’ status
certifying that the NHRC of Nepal is a functional and independent institution.
Another bill was presented by the Government to the Parliament to establish a ‘Truth and
Reconciliation Commission' (TRC) of Nepal. However the political leadership of the three major
parties in Nepal intervened and moved to withdraw the bill from the Parliament. But in March 2012
these political parties agreed to table the draft TRC bill by removing section 25 (2) of the proposed
bill which lists six unpardonable crimes including murder in captivity, murder of an unarmed
person, rape, torture, forced disappearance and abduction.
This decision to provide impunity violates basic tenets of International Human Rights and
Humanitarian Laws. As per ACHR report, the time has come for the international community
including the UN to stand against impunity in Nepal.
Assembly resolution of UNHRC on implementation of the Recommendations of
the LLRC in Sri Lanka
The UN estimates about 100,000 people died during Sri Lanka ethnic conflict between
1972 and 2009. Rights groups say up to 40,000 civilians died during final months of the military
campaign to crush the Tamil Tigers who waged a decade long campaign for a separate homeland
for minority Tamils. UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) at its assembly held in Geneva
in March 2012 adopted a resolution asking Colombo to present expeditiously a comprehensive
action plan detailing the steps to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and to address the alleged violations of International law. 24
members voted for the resolution, 15 against and 8 absented.
Tabling the resolution, the US pointed out, Sri Lanka was given 3 years to hold its
investigations into allegations of serious violations but there was a lack of action on the Sri Lankan
side. The solution will be if Sri Lanka adequately addresses allegations of violations of international
law during the war against the liberation tigers of Tamil Elam and to present a comprehensive
action plan detailing steps to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. For this Sri Lanka has
to be provided time and space to achieve the objectives of reconciliation and peace.
Changing face of Bangladesh Economy
40 years of struggle for gaining sound economic health has started paying dividends in
Bangladesh. The backbone of Bangladesh is agriculture which has shown spectacular growth in the
GDP. 20.93% is attributed to the agricultural sector, 29.98% to the industrial sector and 18% to
manufacturing sector.
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Bangladesh has now emerged as one of the leading suppliers of garments to the world.
Along with the growth of the textile sector substantial achievements have been recorded in the
areas of ship building and engineering products including motor bikes. For attracting international
investments Bangladesh introduced the “Bangladesh Economic Zone Act 2010” establishing eight
export processing zones with about 351 industrial units operating in free trade zones and
attracting investments of two billion dollars.
Activities of ICSW India
Madras chapter of ICSW has moved to their own building.
The state branches of ICSW are undertaking many community
projects for the betterment of poor people. The Madras chapter
has existed for more than four decades and is implementing
various community service projects such as day-care centre for
elders, crèches for children and a vocational centre for women etc.
Dr K. N. George the senior most member of ICSW and a social
worker was at the helm of ICSW Madras chapter. With his
Lighting the lamp along
commitment and passion for social work he was able to organise
with Hon. Minister Ms.
funds to construct a building for ICSW to use as a day-care centre
for elders, crèche for children,
Gokul Indira
vocational centre for women and a
permanent office for ICSW. The building was inaugurated on 4th
May in Chennai by Hon. Minister of Social Welfare, Tamil Nadu
state Mrs Valarmathi. Hon. Minister of Tourism Mrs Gokula Indira
and Mr A.S. Shenoy National President of ICSW explained Social
Development programmes of Tamil Nadu and activities of ICSW
respectively.
National President of ICSW
A. S. Shenoy presenting
activities of ICSW
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Newsletter Editor: A. S. Shenoy, India
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Regional President:A.S. Shenoy, India
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