Stakeholders have stressed on the need of powerful Human Rights Mechanism for protection and promotion of human rights in the South Asian region. Human rights activists highlighted the necessity of regional human rights mechanism to address specific issues of the region. They expressed such view at the national workshop on South Asian Human Rights Mechanism organized in Lalitpur on November 4. Delivering inaugaral speech at the program, Anuj Raj Sharma, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission said that the need of regional mechanism had increased to resolve common issues of the SAARC countries. Henri Tiphagne, Chairperson of FORUM-ASIA expressed sadness over the difficulties faced by Nepal due to Indian blockade on recent days. He said that regional mechanism is needed to exert pressure to address such issues as well. He added that such mechanism is needed for prosperous life and life with full enjoyment of human rights as well. Chairperson of INSEC Subodh Raj Pyakurel said that the need of human rights mechanism in SAARC region was discussed since 2010. Indicating towards recent difficulties faced by Nepal, Pyakurel said that it demonstrates the importance of regional structure. "Preparations are on to organize meeting of South Asian Human Rights Commissions in Kathmandu," he said, adding that the meeting is expected to strongly demand for a regional mechanism. Professor Dr. Yubaraj Sangraula said that impunity is a major issue in South Asia, adding that regional mechanism is needed to address such issues. He further said that human rights activists should exert pressure along with diplomatic efforts to resolve the recent difficulties faced by Nepal due to Indian blockade. Women rights activist Sujita Shakya emphasized on joint pressure by rights activists to open the entry points shut due to Indian blockade. Rights activist Ganesh BK said that a political initiation and effort should be taken to resolve this issue saying that the issue is political. Advocate Tejman Shakya, Om Prakash Aryal, Dr. Dinesh Tripathi, rights activist Satish Raj Mainali, Shiva Bishunkhe, Tej Kumari Tiwari, Ganesh BK, Milan Dharel, Shiva Bhandari among others also stressed on the need of regional mechanism. Mukunda Kattel, Director at FORUM-ASIA moderated the discussion among participants regarding opportunities and challenges of need of human rights mechanism in South Asia. Regional human rights mechanisms already exist in Europe, America, Africa, Arab and Asean countires. The workshop was jointly organized by INSEC, FORUM-ASIA and Regional Campaign of SAHM. The organizors said that such workshop was already held in SAARC countries except Sri Lanka. The workshop formed a committee comprising Dr. Yubaraj Sangraula, Ganesh BK, Milan Dharel, Dr. Dinesh Tripathi, Kamala Panthi, Neeta Pokharel and Tej Kumari Tiwar as members. Chairperson of INSEC Subodh Pyakurel is the coordinator of the committee. Ramesh Timalsina