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
Critical Asian Studies •

Growing Afghan-Chinese relations: Security interests dominate economic and political discourse

There has been much discussion on what role Beijing would play on the economic and political fronts, both as a major power and neighboring country, following the US-led withdrawal from Afghanistan. Recently, Beijing became the first country to announce that it has appointed a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power. Although the move is arguably not tantamount to formal recognition of the Taliban regime, the latter has leveraged this development to encourage other countries to forge relations with the new regime in Kabul.
Debas •

Transitional justice in Sri Lanka: The importance of local ownership

Can a country genuinely commit to transitional justice mechanisms when majoritarianism remains deeply entrenched in its political, legal, and constitutional structures? While the Aragalaya last year saw a reawakening of civic resistance against poor governance, calling for anti-corruption, system change, and political reforms, the movement had less of a demand and critique of transitional justice and reconciliation measures.
Critical Asian Studies •

Opposition space in India: Challenges and prospects

The Indian National Congress party finds itself at crossroads following a series of humiliating national and regional elections. Although internal party elections to elect a new leader in October 2022 and the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India March) are good starting points to overcome the worst of the crisis, the Congress Party still has much to do to revamp itself as a credible alternative to the ruling government.
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.
The Diplomat •

The Problem With Modi’s Repeal of India’s Farm Laws

After a year of defending the three controversial agricultural laws passed in 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a U-turn in November 2021, giving in to the longstanding demands of the farmers protesting the legislation. The unexpected announcement coincided with the Sikh festival of Guru Parb, which marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru Nanak, indicating that the government was appeasing the Sikh farmers who made up a big part of the movement.

Although the U-turn was a
East Asia Forum •

Scheming and sacking leaves Sri Lanka’s prime ministership in limbo

On 26 October 2018, President Maithripala Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe and inducted Rajapaksa as the new prime minister. Sirisena then suspended parliament until 16 November 2018 to prevent Wickremesinghe from proving his majority in the parliament.

Wickremesinghe insists that he is still the prime minister, refusing to vacate the prime minister’s official residence at Temple Trees. He has also requested that the Speaker of Parliament convene an emergency session for him to demonstrate his
Waging Nonviolence •

How Afghanistan’s peace movement is winning hearts and minds

In May 2018, a group of seven Afghans in the mostly Taliban controlled province of Helmand set off on a more than 370-mile peace journey to the capital city, Kabul, sparking a nationwide movement.

Residents of Helmand have been paying a high price ever since the province turned into a battleground between Afghan forces and the Taliban. The catalyst for the peace march was a car bomb attack during a wrestling match in March that killed 14 people.

The protesters began with a hunger strike and a
The Straits Times •

Sri Lanka still trapped in shadow of its ethnic war

Sri Lanka does not appear to be a country that is blessed with an awful lot of luck.

Despite all signs of powering ahead after independence from the British in 1948 - at one point, it was seen as a nation of such potential that it was considered worthy of emulation by Singapore - the inability of its rulers and politicians to manage the ethnic diversity of its population appears to be at the root of its woes.
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
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
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
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
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
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