Geneva, 12 July 2024 – Peace for Asia hosted a pivotal event in Geneva entitled “Minority Rights in South Asia,” drawing attention to the pressing issues facing ethnic and sectarian communities in the region. The event brought together prominent speakers including Marc Finaud, Francesca Marino, Hau-Yu Tam, Ronan Lee, Paul Deeschemaeker and Michael Lepper, who shared their perspectives on human rights violations, international intervention and the urgent need to strengthen refugee laws.
The event highlighted the crucial role of international institutions such as the UN and the EU in resolving conflicts and formulating humanitarian policies to protect persecuted minorities. Speakers highlighted the challenges faced by minority communities that lack international advocacy and diaspora support, making them vulnerable to state repression and humanitarian crises.
Francesca Marino highlighted the plight of Baloch and Pashtun communities who face prolonged state oppression without significant international attention or humanitarian aid. Hau-Yu Tam shared his first-hand experiences as a community activist and local councillor in the UK, addressing the racial hostility and challenges of asylum claims faced by migrants.
Ronan Lee (Loughborough University) highlighted the ongoing Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, stressing the need for global attention and decisive action to address displacement and persecution. Marc Finaud, drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience, reflected on the reforms needed in international refugee and migrant policies to respond effectively to these humanitarian crises.
The conference served as a critical platform for policymakers, legal experts and activists to collaborate on concrete solutions within the human rights discourse. It aimed to foster meaningful dialogue and promote practical measures to protect vulnerable communities in South Asia and beyond.
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