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Islam, democracy and human rights: The case of Pakistan’s struggle with the democratic institutions and human rights values
No full textIslam plays a central role in Pakistan’s identity making process. Since the events of 9/11, the significant rise of religious extremism and terrorism in Pakistan has influenced its democratic setup, constitutional process and human rights values. This paper examines the historical evolution of democratic and constitutional process in Pakistan as well as the role of religion in defining the state narratives. This divide between religious extremists and secularists is more acute at the moment primarily because the state is passing legislations influenced by extremist and terrorist narratives. The paper uses interpretive approach in examining the challenge presented by the religious–secular divide and extremist narratives pose to the democratic principles and human rights values in Pakistan
Two Belts, One Road? - The role of Africa in Chinas's Belt & Road initiative
No full textIn the light of the EU-Africa Summit 2017 and of the G20 Summit 2017 with Africa being one of the focus areas, China’s engagement in Africa seems more relevant than ever. China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative (OBOR) or silk road initiative is often referred to as a Eurasian infrastructure network initiative, but it is in fact much more than that. The maritime silk road is supposed to go past the coast of East Africa, where several ports are being built and will be built. Furthermore, ports are not only planned and under construction on the maritime silk road’s direct way along Africa’s east coast through Suez Canal, but also on coasts of Central and West Africa. Some of those ports are planned to be connected to Africa’s hinterland by roads and railways - in some cases all the way from the east coast to the west coast. OBOR is thus not only about Eurasia, but also to a significant extent about Africa. There even is a second belt – on the African continent (see below)
Michael Hahn (1941-2014)
No full textNachruf für Professor Dr. Michael Hahn, Professor emeritus der Indologie in Marburg
2017 EU- China Twinning: Partnerships between European and Chinese NGOs: Social and Environmental Justice and Climate Change
No full textThe program's core goal: a knowledge and experience-oriented exchange between Chinese and European NGOs that are working on innovative solutions for social, environmental, and other challenges in their immediate surroundings
SAI-Newsletter, no.11 (November 2017)
No full textThe SAI-Newsletter presents what the South Asia Institute offers: A fascinating unity in a variety of academic topics on South Asia, a unique group of highly qualified academics, numerous best practice examples for research and teaching and last but not least a sound degree of public attention. Apart from looking back at what has happened at the institute the newsletter will also point at upcoming activities and events. By doing so the SAI-Newsletter combines the important task of documentation while at the same time looking ahead to what the future will bring
Facing Jamaat-e-Islami* in Bangladesh: A global threat in need of a global response
No full textIn an earlier policy brief on Bangladesh**, we argued for the assistance of the international community to democratic forces, including women and minorities; supporting the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in bringing justice and peace; countering the rise of extremist violence and urging the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to sever ties with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). In this policy brief we take an in-depth look at the significance of JeI within the global Jihadist movement and the need to answer it globally. Abul Ala Maududi, created the modern concept of Jihad in 1927 and he founded JeI in 1941. JeI is not a political party in the common understanding of the concept; it is an ideologically geared movement running several organisations. Its network includes numerous affiliate bodies (political, religious and cultural) and aims to transform the state and society of Bangladesh rather than merely win elections. JeI’s agenda seeks to bring about a social and political transformation that is diametrically opposed to the founding principles of Bangladesh. The rise of JeI is connected – directly, through individual members, or indirectly, through its affiliates – with the rise of violence and terrorism in Bangladesh, including its cross-border components. The organisation cultivates an anti-democratic notion of ‘demos’ and its rhetoric indicates that the only people that belong to the ‘demos’ of Bangladesh are those who fit their fanatic definition of a Muslim. JeI tries to replace parliamentary democracy with a theocratic Islamic state. Despite recent electoral and political setbacks, JeI is already so deeply entrenched into the institutional system of governance and public sphere that it can continue to function – even without being in power – and build-up its fanatic Islamist network. It risks turning Bangladesh into a major hub of terrorist activities. JeI’s connection to Western based Jihadist organisations – namely in the UK – shows that it is not just a regional phenomenon, but also an important international player. Whereas the international community has condemned violence in the country, it did not unanimously support the work of the ICT and the proscription of organisations linked to the 1971 genocide. We urge the international community to reassess its position regarding JeI and its partner organisations
A brief legal history of the Minimum Wages Act (1948) and its implementation in India
No full textThis report aims to provide a guide to track the development in the Minimum Wages Act since the Independence of India. Other goals include checking the related legal recourses available at the moment, studying the Act’s implementation in various states and noting its recent adjudication. The paper begins with a historical overview of how the Act came into being as well as a view on the amendments made into it. The constitutional mandate given to the Legislature so as to create such a law is also studied. The report then proceeds to examine the concrete implementation of the statutes as revealed by various government and academic reports. The legal resources available in case of violations of fixed minimum wages are traced; notice is made of recent cases of violations that have been taken to Court. Finally, we conclude that the Minimum Wages Act is a special legislation with the power to affect the lives of millions; therefore the rules and implementation of such an Act must of paramount importance to both central and state governments
Governing Dynamics of Cross-Border Trade: A Case Study from the Indo-Bhutan Border Region
No full textThe northeast part of India shares around 98% of its border with neighbouring countries in the eastern parts of South Asia. The spatial positioning of North Eastern states of India and their engagement with some of the neighbouring countries shape the governing dynamics of cross-border transnational developments; be it social, economic, cultural and political. The nature of such developments are usually isolated from the scope of regional studies, especially those focusing on the study of economic relationships between two countries (via trade, capital flows etc.). Our study aims to move beyond the traditionally used methodological process of studying cross-border trade patterns; using a more economic anthropological approach to identify selected cross-border market spaces as niche, geo-spatial areas for understanding the unique nature of trade composition, operations of supply chain management, dual currency usage and the role of political geography. The north eastern ‘chicken-neck’ corridor remains characterized by a tough terrain, unfriendly neighbours, infrastructural blockages that obstruct the development of the region. Our field-based research study conducted with a team of six researchers seeks to understand cross-border trading practices on the India-Bhutan border through the use of market case studies, providing a diverse set of observations from vendor/merchant based interviews collected from markets positioned in the border villages of Dadgiri in Chirang district of Assam, India and the border town Gelephu of Sarpang district, Bhutan. This case study documents more of the narratives collected from the weekly organized Dadgiri market in Assam. We observe that the operational governing dynamics of market provides an enriching perspective on gauging the social, economic and political landscape of the Indo-Bhutan border area beyond the Chirang district of Assam, India
Der Heidelberger Indologe und Buddhologe Prof. Dr. Walleser und das Problem seines Ich: eine Biographie
No full textVom Heidelberger Indologen Max Walleser (1874-1954) ist besonders sein Werk "Die philosophische Grundlage des älteren Buddhismus" von 1904 bekannt. Auch wird er immer genannt als Gründer des Heidelberger Instituts für Buddhismuskunde. Wenig bekannt ist, dass Max Walleser psychisch krank war und er massive Schwierigkeiten hatte, sich mit dieser Behinderung an der Universität zu halten. Diese Arbeit geht unter Einbeziehung der psychischen Krankheit (einschließlich Entmündigung) seinem Lebensweg nach. Neben der Beziehung Wallesers zu seinen Angehörigen und deren Schicksal spielen dabei Konflikte mit Heinrich Zimmer, die Umstände der Gründung der Gesellschaft für Buddhismuskunde, nationale und internationale Kontakte zu Kollegen und Schülern und Wallesers Bibliothek, die nach Wallesers Tod über seinen letzten Schüler Hermann Kopp an das Südasien-Institut in Heidelberg kam, eine große Rolle
Genug! – Ringen um Anerkennung und Gerechtigkeit in Timor-Leste
No full textDie Bemühungen um Strafverfolgung der Menschenrechtsverbrechen während der Besatzungszeit durch Indonesien 1975–1999 gelten gemeinhin als gescheitert. Diese Beurteilung vermittelt ein Bild der Stagnation und Resignation in Timor-Leste, das den Blick auf das verdeckt, was sich auf gesellschaftspolitischer Ebene zum Umgang mit der belasteten Vergangenheit vollzieht. Die lokale Organisation ACbit – Asosiasaun Chega! Ba Ita setzt sich ein für die Umsetzung der Empfehlungen des Berichtes Chega! (portugiesisch: Genug!) der Wahrheitskommission (CAVR) und unterstützt die Betroffenen. Maria Tschanz und Monika Schlicher sprachen im Dezember 2016 in Timor-Leste mit der Dirketorin Manuela Leong Pereira