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Social Charter: A document ~ ~ of commitment
ISLAMABAD, JAN 05 - The seven heads of state/government took an important step in the annals of SAARC history today by signing the Social Charter that expresses commitment to the social, political and economic wellbeing of the people of South Asia, which houses one-third of the world’s poorest.
The Charter, among others, expresses commitments and specific goals in the areas of poverty alleviation, health, education, human rights, political participation, and population stabilisation and drug control.
Article III of the Charter says, "The highest priority shall be accorded to the alleviation of poverty in all South Asian countries." It also re-affirms the member countries’ commitment to implement an assured nutritional standard approach towards the satisfaction of the basic needs of the South Asian poor.
Noting that education is the cutting edge in the struggle against poverty and promotion of development, the Charter reaffirms the importance of the target of providing free education to all children between the ages of 6-14 years. It also says that the SAARC countries shall find ways and means to provide youth with access to education, create awareness on family planning, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Another important aspect of the Charter is its explicit commitment to the protection of human rights and promotion of participatory governance. Given the history of some of its member countries’ long autocratic rule and poor human rights records, this commitment has been hailed by many observers as "very important step."
The Charter says, "The member countries will work to promote participatory governance, human dignity, non-discrimination, tolerance, non-violence, pluralism and non-discrimination in respect of diversity within and among societies."
Similarly, recognising that South Asia is stifled by huge gender inequality, the SAARC countries have declared that all forms of discrimination and violence against women are offences against human rights and dignity, and that such offences must be prohibited through legislative, administrative and judicial actions.Posted on: 2004-01-06 04:45
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