Rethinking Inclusive Development: A Human Rights Critique of South Asia

Several human rights initiatives have emerged in South Asian Region in last three decades. In their vision and work these veer between contradictions such as freedom and social cohesion, values and sovereignty. This phenomenon is described by scholars as ‘no teeth but tongue’. Most of the countries with post-colonial limitations, reel under internal decay of corruption and skewed development which restrict the dividends of development to a powerful minority. Such initiatives stand in sharp contrast to the successful regional cooperation in European Union. Surrender of sovereignty with utmost respect to human dignity and commitment to eliminate the ‘scourge of war’ are the underlying forces of such a success. While dwelling on these contrasts, the paper will develop the parameters for human rights as indicators of development. It will further suggest approaches to governance, policy and regional cooperation.