Asma calls for human rights protection

LAHORE: Leading lawyer Asma Jahangir said that human rights need more protection than ever before as the trend of democratic institutions is to give way and undermine people’s rights in the name of security.

According to a press release, the renowned lawyer said that the freedom of expression and of the media remained under constant threat of the 2015 code of conduct issued by the Pemra. "Journalists working in conflict areas are regularly monitored and warned against writing on IDPs or counter-terrorism measures. Political activist are being incarcerated in Gilgit-Baltistan," she alleged.

“Even Pakistan’s superior courts have not been proactive in enforcing fundamental rights. Their emphasis remains on enforcing restrictions, rather than widening the space for people to form associations, right to protest or protection against arbitrary detentions” she said.  Asma called on human rights activists to put together a plan of action so that the parliament addresses serious violation of human rights laws that discriminate.

She added that intergovernmental commissions remained subdued and had not raised their voices against several serious incidents of human rights violations.