Participants of a seminar on Thursday urged the government to take effective steps for protection and promotion of human rights enshrined in the Constitution as well as international treaties rectified by Pakistan.
Speakers that include diplomats, government representatives and rights campaigners addressing an event entitled ""A New Way Forward in Pakistan" called for concerted efforts, awareness and institutional mechanism at federal, provincial and grassroots levels for protection and promotion of human rights.
The event was organized to celebrate the completion of provincial human rights policy strategies prepared by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Human Rights and the provincial departments and supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the British government.
Javed Jabbar, former Federal Information Minister and SPO Board Chairperson said that human rights are embedded in all religions and cultures, calling the notion that human rights are a western-driven agenda as unfounded. "We are living in a period where human rights of individuals and vulnerable groups are usurped by states, religious and powerful groups, media, and families", he said.
Jabbar questioned the flaws and corruption in the prosecution, and investigation system that has allowed alternative mechanisms of quick dispensation of justice.
British High Commission's Political Consular William Middleton recalled Quaid-I-Azam's words that Islam has taught us democracy, equality of man, justice and fair play to everybody. "We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan," he quoted Jinnah as saying.
He lauded eighteenth amendment and other pro women and children legislation in the recent years, stressing the need for effective enforcement of laws, strengthening institutions, raising awareness among citizens of their fundamental rights.
Muhammad Arshad, Director General, Ministry of Human Rights elaborating the steps taken by the government for protection and promotion of on human rights cited articles 32-40 of the Constitution which protect fundamental rights, guarantee security, freedom of expression, right to information and discourage discrimination on the basis of sex.
Zeeshan Zafar, head of the project "Making provincial governments in Pakistan more accountable for human rights," lamenting lack of human rights policy, said the policy strategies once approved by the respective provincial cabinets will give legal status to all HRs guaranteed in the international treaties to which Pakistan is a party.
Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Secretary, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department, Sindh highlighted the legislative steps taken by the provincial governments.
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