BHURBAN (Murree Hills), May 18: A proposal to create a South Asian parliament received cautious support on the fourth day of the first-ever South Asian parliamentarians’ conference here on Wednesday. While there was a general consensus about the need for such a forum in the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, sharp differences emerged about when it should come about. But there was more widespread support for a South Asian Human Rights Code, as had been proposed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at the second session of the conference organised by the South Asian Free Media Association (Safma), a regional non-governmental organisation.
The discussion on a South Asian parliament revolved around two papers presented by Professor S. D Moni of Jawaharlal Nehru University of New Delhi, who said the proposed parliament be created without delay, and National Assembly member Aitzaz Ahsan of the People’s Party Parliamentarians from Pakistan who said the ground for it was not ready.
Prof Muni, whose view was supported by a majority of parliamentarians, said the “time had come” for what should begin as a nominated consultative body that could serve as a catalyst for regional cooperation and also help in conflict resolution, rather than being a legislative organ at this stage.
He proposed that this parliament consist of 300 to 500 members and to guard against domination by India, because of its huge population or any complaint of being marginalised by equal representation of all countries, India should have a share of 25 to 30 per cent, Pakistan and Bangladesh 17 to 20 per cent, Sri Lanka and Nepal 10 to 12 percent and Bhutan and Maldives five to eight per cent.
To begin with, he said, the body would adopt the Saarc agenda and avoid touching bilateral matters and internal situations of member countries but it should take up global issues such as regional concerns about the World Trade Organisation.
Mr Ahsan, who also led a strong section in the conference, said that because of the heavy baggage of history, including unresolved disputes between India and Pakistan, “it would be unwise to talk of such a body, though it may happily come about some time in the distant future.”
He cautioned that such an effort could be foiled by “strong and well-positioned” forces opposed to improvement of relations on both sides of the border, despite their being in “an abject minority”. “Any leap before the ground below is prepared and softened may lead to irreparable injury.”
Safma secretary general Imtiaz Alam said there appeared to be an agreement in principle to have a South Asian parliament and that the conference would recommend to the next Saarc summit that a committee be formed to study the matters, including the creation of a Saarc-level parliamentary union and activation of a Saarc forum of parliamentary speakers.
Speakers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal which was represented only by journalists supported the South Asian Human Rights Code proposed in a paper read out by HRCP secretary general Iqbal Haider at a session chaired by HRCP chairperson Asma Jahangir.
Mr Haider said the code proposed by him was a “very realisable objective” and it should be adopted by the next Saarc summit. He also called for the creation of official and statutory human rights commissions and human rights courts in all Saarc member states.
The session was also addressed by Norwegian ambassador Janis Bjorn who spoke about the European experience in the field.