The INFORMAL: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice

Submission Deadline: December 2025

Dear Colleague,

It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that we announce the forthcoming publication of the third volume of The INFORMAL: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice, published from Kathmandu, Nepal.

The journal is a flagship initiative of INSEC, one of Nepal’s most established human rights institutions and a long-standing member of regional networks. With over three decades of engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights, INSEC continues this legacy through The INFORMAL, which provides a critical space for dialogue and scholarship across South Asia.

First launched in April 1998, The INFORMAL has, over its 34 previous volumes, served as a platform for public discourse on human rights challenges in Nepal. Past issues have addressed a wide range of contemporary concerns, including groups rights, peace and conflict, rule of law and justice, as well as governance and reform.

Building on this legacy, in 2024 The INFORMAL evolved into an annual, peer-reviewed journal, expanding its scope to encompass broader South Asian perspectives on human rights and social justice. Since then, two volumes have been published, featuring scholarship on democratic integrity, governance reform, social and cultural transformation, and evolving human rights norms. We welcome submissions that are empirically grounded, critically engaged, and accessible to both academic and practitioner audiences. Our aim is not only to publish research but to promote regional dialogue and create a dynamic, open-access platform that bridges scholarship, activism, and policy. Submissions are encouraged from academics, practitioners, policymakers, students, and community leaders.

About the Journal

The Informal: South Asian Journal of Human Rights and Social Justice is a peer-reviewed research journal dedicated to advancing scholarship and practice on human rights and social justice, with a particular focus on South Asia.

Vision

To establish The INFORMAL as a leading regional platform for human rights and social justice research, recognized for its high standards, innovative, and policy impact.

Mission

To provide a space where scholars, experts, thinkers, and activists exchange informed, critical, and respectful discourses on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights across South Asia.

Publication Frequency and Access

  • Publication: Annual (released on the16th of Shravan in the Nepali calendar).
  • Access: Open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license, allowing free distribution, remixing, and adaptation with attribution.

Submission Guidelines

  • Format: MS Word
  • Length: 3,000–8,000 words (excluding references)
  • Referencing: APA 7th edition.
  • Title Page: Must include the full title of the article, author(s) name(s), academic or professional affiliation(s), and emailing address(es).
    • For multiple authors, list each author on a separate line with corresponding affiliation and email address.
    • A brief autobiographical note (maximum 10 words) for each author should be included as a footnote.
  • Submission: Manuscripts should be submitted via email to: informal.hrsjournal@insec.org.np

Structure of the Article

  • Title: Concise and focused (maximum 15 words)
  • Author Details: Full name, position, institution, email, and a brief (maximum 10 words) biography
  • Abstract: 250 words summarizing argument, objectives, methodology, and key findings
  • Keywords: Five words/phrases
  • Main Sections:
    • Introduction (major argument/thesis)
    • Methodology (framework, design, tools)
    • Results and Discussion (findings and implications)
    • Conclusion (summary and significance)

Review Process

  • Initial Screening: Editorial Board evaluates alignment with journal standards
  • Double-Blind Peer Review: Two external reviewers assess selected research articles
  • Perspectives Section: Includes interviews, reflective essays, and case studies—reviewed internally, not blind peer-reviewed
  • Revision: Authors revise based on reviewer/editor feedback
  • Final Decision: Made by the Editorial Board; revised submissions may undergo a second review if necessary

Editorial and Publication Information

  • Each issue features 10–12 articles from across South Asia
  • Editorial process led by the Editor, supported by a focal staff member from INSEC
  • Operational and publishing costs are sustained by an endowment fund

Submission Checklist

  • Manuscript is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere
  • All authors have approved submission and order of authorship
  • All authors have provided ORCID ID (can be created at www.orcid.org)
  • Lead/corresponding author is clearly indicated with email address

Funding and Copyright

  • No Article Processing Charges (APCs): Publication costs are covered by INSEC’s endowment fund
  • Copyright: Retained by INSEC; reproduction requires prior written permission

 Contact

For enquiries regarding this third volume, please contact:

Editor: Advocate Dr. Bidhya Chapagain at informal.hrsjournal@insec.org.np

 Disclaimer

The views expressed in articles published in The INFORMAL are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Editorial Board, INSEC, or its partner institutions.