Roshni Kapur

Roshni Kapur is a Programme Manager at the Rule of Law Asia Programme, Konrad-Adenaeur-Stiftung and PhD student at the University of Ghent. She specialises in political violence, caste, social change, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, nationalism, violent extremism and transitional justice in South Asia. She is an editor of the book 'Sustainable Energy Transition in South Asia'.

The Diplomat •

A Crossroads for Indonesia

A historic presidential election was held on July 9, after which both candidates declared themselves the winner. There were 190 million registered voters, and 450,000 polling stations with 4.1 million polling workers deployed in more than 6000 inhabited islands across the huge archipelago. This is one of the most polarized elections the country has seen. Voter turnout was an impressive 75 percent given the nationwide excitement over the elections. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim co
The Straits Times •

Germany's new supply chain law targeting human rights violations an opportunity for collaboration

Germany and Singapore enjoy strong economic and trade relations. In 2020, Singapore's exports to Germany were around $7.1 billion and German exports to Singapore amounted to approximately $8.9 billion.

Both are export-driven economies that have strong global competitiveness. Under the 2018 Global Competitive Report by the World Economic Forum, Singapore was ranked as the second most competitive economy and Germany the third.
https://www.bangkokpost.com •

Rohingya repatriation deal problematic

On Jan 15, Bangladesh and Myanmar held discussions to finalise the details of a repatriation deal. The agreement will see thousands of Rohingya repatriated from Bangladeshi refugee camps to Myanmar within a two-year framework starting this month.

Myanmar has said that the repatriation process can begin once the paperwork is finalised. It is now making the final preparations to receive the first batch of refugees from Bangladesh from a temporary camp and two reception centres.

According to Myin

The Leftist Alliance Victory In Nepal: Implications For Domestic And Foreign Policies

The provincial and parliamentary elections in Nepal in December 2017 witnessed the leftist alliance of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist and the Communist Party of Nepal sweeping into power. The results were a disappointment for the ruling Nepali Congress which won a mere 23 seats and was relegated to third position. There is a general belief that the elections will usher long-term stability, reconstruction and economic development into the country.
Quartz •

It’s high time that India bans landmines

Ridding the world of landmines has become the new mantra for human security and post-conflict development under the framework of international law. In 1997, 124 countries ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction. The Convention, also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, is a legally binding international agreement that bans the use of landmines, makes requirements for mine clearance, and provides victim

Appointment of a New Chief Minister in Nagaland: An End to the Power Struggle?

The appointment of T R Zeliang as NagalandÔÇÖs new Chief Minister (CM) on 22 July 2017 was an unexpected decision.1 He was chosen by Governor P B Acharya after the latter dismissed the CM Sh??rhozelie Liezietsu for skipping the floor test of a special session of the legislative assembly three days earlier.2 He had been facing criticism from some party members for picking his son Khriehu Liezietsu as his advisor with cabinet status and salary.

A New Chapter in Indo-German Relations

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Germany on 29 and 30 May 2017 to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel was an opportunity for the two partners to explore ways to further cement economic and trade relations. The two leaders signed a dozen agreements. The need to resume free trade talks between India and the European Union (EU) was also included in the agenda. India and the EU have been unable to reach a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) despite enduring negotiations since 2007.
The Himalayan Times •

Transitional justice: An uphill task

For the victims, acknowledgment of the painful past is necessary for them to move on with their lives. Reconciliation should include the acknowledgement of past atrocities along with vision of a new society

Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a transitional justice body, is unlikely to accomplish reconciliation with its current approach and pace of work. The TRC has already disappointed many victims and their families since the first phase of the investigation is long overdue. Re
Quartz •

Cambodian women who were married without consent are sharing their horror stories in court

Women, now in their 60s, who were forced into arranged marriages during the Khmer Rouge are now seeking justice in a UN-backed court.

One of the survivors, Sa Lay Hieng, described her ordeal in court, saying, “I refused [to marry] several times, but finally the sector committee said I was a stubborn person.”

Another woman, identified only as 2-TCCP-274 to protect her identity, said she was compelled into marrying a Khmer Rouge official during a mass ceremony. When she rejected her new spouse’s
https://www.bangkokpost.com •

Aceh truth commission must deliver peace with justice

The effectiveness of Aceh's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been put to the test. Human rights organisations, international community, war victims and survivors are assessing whether the TRC will achieve peace with justice.

The highly anticipated TRC was established in 2015 by the Aceh House of People's Representative to probe the alleged violence and human rights abuses during the civil war. It was promised to be set up over a decade ago when the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement was

Forthcoming Assembly Elections in India’s Punjab: A challenge to the Ruling Coalition

The Legislative Assembly elections in the sub-national Indian State of Punjab are slated for 4 February 20171. At stake are 117 seats, and the ruling alliance, consisting of Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP), is seeking a third term in office after having won the last elections in 2012. This paper argues that the SAD-BJP alliance is likely to face an uphill task now.
The Diplomat •

Modi: India’s Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 Notes No Longer Valid

India’s prime minister maked a surprise announcement that the notes would be pulled out of circulation immediately.

In an unexpected move, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a special address on Tuesday evening that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes will be demonetized. His public address has galvanized panic across the country.

The move is meant to weed out rampant corruption, black money, false currency, and in turn help tackle broader issues fueled by these activities, such as povert
The Diplomat •

Is Timor-Leste Finally Ready to Join ASEAN?

After years of seeking an ASEAN membership, accession into the regional bloc finally looks within Dili’s reach.

After years of pushing for membership, Timor-Leste is now ready to become the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The process of Timor-Leste’s accession into ASEAN has been ongoing for a number of years. The country was recognized as an ASEAN observer in 2002 and joined the ASEAN Regional Forum in 2005. Southeast Asia’s newest state submitted a formal ap
openDemocracy •

Asylum seeker dies from self-inflicted burns

Refugees breakout from the Woomera Detention Center, encouraged by protestors, in Woomera, Australia in 2002. Rick Rycroft / Press Association. All rights reserved.A 23-year-old Iranian asylum seeker who set himself on fire at an Australian offshore detention centre on the remote Pacific island of Nauru has died from his injuries. The man, known as Omid, who set himself on fire earlier this week was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital in Australia. He died almost 24 hours due to severe burns to his t
The Diplomat •

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi Pushes for Peace With Ethnic Rebels

Hopes have been renewed that a permanent deal may finally be reached between the new government and holdout militias.

Democratic icon and National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi has reached out to some of the oldest ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar. Her goal is clear: she wants to push for a wide-ranging peace accord with all insurgent groups, including those that refused to participate with the previous government.

Friction between minority groups and the government have bee
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