Civil society in KP seeks delivery of human rights

PESHAWAR: The civil society in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday urged the government, judiciary and Parliament to ensure delivery of human rights in compliance with constitutional and international commitments.

Marking the significance of "Stand Up for Someone's Right Today" on the International Human Rights Day, the civil society urged the government, judiciary, parliamentarians and citizens to jointly pursue and work towards the fulfillment of "fundamental human rights" guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan and international commitments.

"It is encouraging that Pakistan has in recent years taken steps towards meeting institutional, legislative and policy initiatives with respect to the fulfillment of rights of its citizens," said Qamar Naseem, focal person of the Civil Society Working Group. He said the policy and legislative initiatives still remained unfulfilled due to gaps in implementation. The failure to guarantee respect for fundamental rights remained an obstacle, he maintained.

"The assassination of human rights defenders, increased violence against women and introduction of legislation such as the prevention of electronic crime bill 2016 are detrimental to rights such as the right to life and freedom of expression," he pointed out.

The Human Rights Commission Pakistan (HRCP) in its civil society assessment report assessed that 45 of 69 accepted Universal Periodic Review recommendations were not implemented. He added that legal guarantees required ensure that all persons under its jurisdiction, individually and in association with others, were able to enjoy all those rights and freedoms in practice.

Rukhshanda Naz, a noted human rights activist, said all were equal before the law and the government was responsible for right to life and liberty and freedom from torture of every citizen.

"While celebrating the vision of those who crafted the Universal Declaration, rather we should remember those whose rights are being systematically denied," she added. Rukhshanda Naz said the prime responsibility and duty to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms rested with the State.

She said the government of Pakistan had the responsibility and duty to protect, promote and implement all human rights and fundamental freedoms.Zar Ali Khan, a human rights activist from Fata, said that everyone had the right, individually and in association with others, to develop and discuss new ideas and principles and to advocate their acceptance.He urged federal and provincial governments to respect the civil and political rights of the citizens of Pakistan and treat them equally as promised in the constitution of Pakistan.Taimur Kamal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network, said the government had the duty to protect the people from abuses at the hands of criminals and terrorists.