Report on South Asia's minorities launched

KATHMANDU, Nov 12: A report on the condition of minorities in South Asia was launched amidst a function held in Kathmandu on Friday. 

The report put together by the South Asia Collective, a human rights group, provides country overviews covering seven SAARC member states including Nepal. 

The report points out the need to bring robust and categorical definition of marginalized and minorities with clear listing of caste, ethnic and religious groups in Nepal. Besides making recommendation to develop plans to focus on gauging progress along different socioeconomic indicators by minority and marginalized groups, the report suggests various commissions established to address issues of minorities to define the types of inclusion in their duties and responsibilities in order to address their demands.

According to the organizers, the report aims at contributing to advocacy for establishing South Asia-wide minority and human right standards and mechanism-through building a body of evidence, stimulate public debate and galvanize regional civil society. The report launch was co-hosted by the South Asia Collectives, People's SAARC and the Minority Rights Group International.