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We
the people of South Asia, representing Bangladesh, India, Nepal,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka in all 125 representatives who were
gathered here in Kathmandu for the last four days between 3rd
and 6th January 2002 participated in the second South Asian
People Summit.
The
People Summit focused on three main themes;
1. Combating trafficking in women and children
2. Control of proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms
and light weapon
3. Globalisation and Regional cooperation
The
civil society leaders especially from the NGO sector and some
representatives from the policy, army and Governments elaborated
on the above themes and discussed in groups. The conclusions
of the debate were presented in the plenary, discussed and
adopted as attached.
The
second South Asian People Summit was held at the same time
as the SAARC summit where the heads of Governments had their
discussions.
1.
We the participants of the Second South Asian People Summit
welcome and appreciate the acknowledgement of Their Excellencies,
the leaders of the SAARC nations, the important role played
by the civil society in eradicating poverty and furthering
the aims and objectives of SAARC as referred to in the 11th
SAARC declaration.
"They
also pledge to enhance transferency and accountability in governance
and to encourage effective participation of the peoples and
civil societies in the formulation as well as implementation
of the programmes of the cooperation. The leaders also agreed
to ... ensure participation of the poor, both as stake-holder
and beneficiary, in governance and development process. They
reaffirmed their pledge to undertake effective and sustainable
poverty alleviation programmes through pro-poor growth strategy."
We
urge in all our countries the consequential enabling environment
is created for the effective participation of the people.
2.
We request the SAARC leaders to settle unresolved conflicts
in the region, which is hindering regional cooperation and
participation of the people in the governance structures.
We
accept this challenge and would be happy to assist the SAARC
secretariat in the promotion of peace, justice and equality
in our region.
3. We appreciate the agreement reached by the heads of the state and
governments to give effect to the vision of a phased and planned process
eventually leading to a South Asian Economic Union.
We
would encourage the SAARC to move a step further in creating
conditions promoting South Asian Union.
4. We appreciate the SAARC leaders for signing the two conventions relating
to Women and Children. We would strongly recommend the heads of the Governments
to mandate the SAARC secretariat to draft and propose legally binding
regional instrument to eradicate illicit proliferation, circulation and
trafficking of small arms and light weapon which adversely affects the
lives of the people in our region.
5.
We are concerned that the SAARC process does not provide the
opportunity for Civil Society participation in the SAARC process.
We urge that the institutional mechanisms are evolved to ensure
the participation of the people and set in place immediately.
The participants of the peoples summit are committed to the
dialogue with the SAARC secretariat in providing scope for
creating institutional mechanisms.
South
Asia partnership-International
571/15 Galle Road, Colombo-6
Sri Lanka
International
Council on Social Welfare
London, UK
South
Asia Partnership-Nepal
Babr Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Small
Arms Statement
FROM THE SECOND SOUTH ASIAN PEOPLE SUMMIT
3-6 January 2002
1.
We are concerned at the continued violence and the killings
of people, especially women and children through the use of
illegal arms. The response of the State will further escalate
the situation by violating the fundamental rights of the people
at large.
2. We call upon the South Asian Civil Society to become more aware of
this situation and impress upon their government of this menace.
3. To promote peace and harmony among SAARC nations, the media can play
the vital role of educating the people and the governments on the evil
effects and consequences of the use of small arms, and to play a vital
role in the peace building process.
4. We call upon the Governments to promote the culture of peace and tolerance
and reflect the same in educational curriculum in their countries and
curb the depiction and glorification of weapons in public and media (film,
cartoon).
5. We call upon the Governments of South Asia to involve the civil society
and establish mechanisms for community participation for the recovery,
de-weaponisation and destruction of illegal weapons.
6. We demand the Governments to take stringent actions against illegal
productions of small arms.
7. Finally, we call upon the South Asian Governments to mandate the SAARC
Secretariat to draft the purpose legally binding regional instruments
necessary for eradicating the illicit proliferation, circulation and
trafficking of small arms and light weapons, and establish the co-ordinating
agencies to monitor and review the same.
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