KARACHI: Human, women and labour right activists and representatives of the civil society on Tuesday demanded the government to improve the human rights conditions and allow civic freedom as enshrined in the Pakistan’s Constitution and committed under international Conventions, which the country have ratified.
KARACHI: Human, women and labour right activists and representatives of the civil society on Tuesday demanded the government to improve the human rights conditions and allow civic freedom as enshrined in the Pakistan’s Constitution and committed under international Conventions, which the country have ratified.
They said that key fundamental rights-right to freedom of expression, association, and information are in danger and need immediate attention. “Recent attacks on journalists and social media activist are clear indication that a very basic right of expression is under threat.”
There is also increased surveillance against civil society organizations and their operations are being restricted under various pretexts. “This is in violation of fundamental right of association.”
Recent attacks on protesting teachers, government employees and other sections of society also reflect that basic right of assembly is not allowed freely.
Addressing a joint press conference organized by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) at Karachi Press Club the civil society representatives Mahnaz Rahman, Regional Director of Aurat Foundation; Zulfiqar Shah, Joint Director PILER, Jameel Junejo, Programmes Manager, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), youth leader Naghma Shaikh and civic rights activist Zeenia Shaukat said the human rights situation demanded that the govrnmrnt should take immediate steps to improve human rights situation.
Civil Society representatives said that they congratulate government of Pakistan as Pakistan has been elected as member of Human Rights Council- a powerful 47 member body of UN headquartering in Geneva. “This is a big success and will help in image building of Pakistan.” However, this comes with huge responsibility of respecting and promoting human rights.
They said that Pakistan’s human rights record will be reviewed under UPR on 13th of November in Geneva and we urge up on the government to announce key reform agenda before UPR. It would be equally important that government accept UPR recommendations and make proper arrangements to implement.
Two important international reviews about human rights situations in Pakistan are going to be held within a couple of months.
Attack on senior journalist of daily The News Ahmed Noorani and forcible ban on distribution of newspapers in Quetta are some recent incidents of violation of fundamental right of expression, said Mahnaz Rahman.
She pointed out that Pakistan has already signed many human and labour rights Conventions of the United Nations and on November 13 the Universal Period Review (UPR) to review Pakistan’s performance on human rights conventions will be held.
In 2012 UPR, Pakistan had made many commitments on recommendations by many members of the United Nations that Pakistan government would make efforts on implementation of all human rights conventions in letter and spirit.
Similarly, Pakistan has acquired the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus scheme from the European Union to import duty free in all European countries in 2014 and the government had accepted to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance after every two years.
In the first review in 2016 the European Union had pointed out some lapses in implementation of those conventions and Pakistan had agreed to improve the situation. Pakistan is drawing many economic benefits from GSP Plus so there is a strong need to implement all the conventions.
Jameel Junejo said that Pakistan ‘s Constitution provides all essential fundamental rights but there is a need to make laws for provision of those rights to the citizens of Pakistan.
Rights of minorities and women are also compromised in the country. Forced conversion of Hindus and persecution against minorities are reported in the national media from many parts of the country, he said adding that laws against forced conversion need to be made and implemented.
Naghma Sheikh said that students unions are not restored despite the fact that government says the ban on students unions have already been lifted.