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International Human Rights Day in Pakistan





The theme of the 2011 International Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, is: Celebrate Human Rights. It marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1950) against abuse and violations of human values.

Human rights defenders, individually or in organizations, anonymous or celebrated, work within their communities, across their countries, or globally to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting, and investigations into human rights violations – and to support victims of violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency in government action.

The Government of Pakistan has a Ministry of Human Rights. Its vision is: “In order to fulfil the dream of Shaheed Mohtama Benazir Bhutto, the Ministry of Human Rights is committed to creating a society where democracy would be the tradition, peace would be the culture, and protection of human rights would always be the top priority.” The Ministry of Human Rights is committed to promote the equality of genders, access to equal opportunities, services, goods and privileges, non-discrimination in work and ensuring social justice for all citizens of the country.

The government, in media announcements, lists some of their achievements toward human rights as: the Right to Information and Right to Education have been included as fundamental rights in the Constitution; unanimous approval of Anti-Women Practices Bill from the National Assembly; approval of Women in Distress and Detention Fund from the National Assembly; the National Commission on Women (NCW) Bill presented in the National Assembly; awareness material on several Human Rights issues have been extensively disseminated in different regions of the country; a number of advocacy events such as seminars, conferences, and symposia; and many international Human Rights treaties including the Convention Against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, or Punishments (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICPR) have been ratified.

The government pledges to strengthen peace and democracy, and resist violation of human rights on all levels.

(http://www.mohr.gov.pk/)



MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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