S. ASIA HUMAN RIGHTS FEST

Creating a platform for artistes from Sri Lanka and the rest of the region, the Amnesty International will present ‘Art for Rights: South Asia Human Rights Festival’ at the National Film Corporation in Colombo from December 5 to 9. Featuring films, dancers, music performances, art installations, talks, graffiti, photography exhibitions and many other events, Art for Rights celebrates the work of South Asian artistes and human rights defenders as the world marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “This is the first time that Amnesty International is organizing a human rights festival in Colombo. Our aim to bring together as many activists, artists, students and youth groups to a common platform, and to initiate discussions on human rights and challenges we face in the region,” said Biraj Patnaik, South Asia Director at Amnesty International.

THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Screening of awardwinning films from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan Performances by dance troupes from Sri Lanka and Nepal’s Tharu community Photography exhibition of work by world renowned photographer and prisoner of conscience Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh and of Dhahau Nazeem, a photographer and activist from the Maldives. Performances by Ali Aftab, one of Pakistan’s most provocative musicians whose work is richly laced with satire and political commentary Graffiti and murals by Afghanistan’s famous Artlords collective A discussion on “Where human rights went wrong” with leading members of Lankan civil society. At NFC from Dec. 5 to 9.