Minister of State for International Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Monday stated that with the nation’s human rights progress on an upward trajectory, Pakistan will proceed to be a number one voice of the weak and the oppressed.
“From drafting the Common Declaration on Human Rights and the Worldwide Conference on Racial Discrimination to establishing the Human Rights Council, Pakistan has remained and can proceed to be a number one voice of the weak and the oppressed,” she acknowledged on the 4th Common Periodic Overview (UPR) of Pakistan at Geneva. The minister of state stated that as an ardent supporter of multilateralism, Pakistan has constantly advocated dialogue, consensus, cooperation, and mutual respect as most well-liked autos to advance the worldwide human rights agenda.
“Right this moment, I’m happy to report that my nation’s human rights progress is total on an upward trajectory. We proceed to aspire for a progressive and pluralistic society, which places a excessive premium on respect for the human rights of everybody, within the phrases of our founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah and I quote “as equal residents of 1 State,” she maintained.
The minister stated that Pakistan’s 4th nationwide UPR report was ready by way of an inclusive, consultative course of involving all nationwide stakeholders. Critically, this report was an end result of their intensive efforts over the last 5 years to implement the suggestions emanating from the nation’s 2017 UPR, she added.
To implement these suggestions, Khar stated that the federal authorities carefully consulted with all provincial stakeholders, civil society, and academia.
“We additionally benefitted from worldwide finest practices in sure areas. I thank all those that contributed to this nationwide endeavor,” she added. The minister of state stated that in keeping with the nation’s constitutional framework, Pakistan’s democratic governance buildings, as protectors of human rights, have grown from power to power.
“That is seen within the form of an unbiased judiciary, strong parliamentary traditions and free media,” she added. The minister of state additional stated that Pakistan was additionally happy with its vibrant civil society. “With our unbiased judiciary and authorized group, civil society has performed a significant position in public awareness-raising and advocacy about inclusivity, accountability, and transparency,” she talked about.
Khar stated Pakistan has remained steadfast in selling respect for human rights at residence and overseas. “Human rights lay deep within the foundations of our nationhood. At its coronary heart, Pakistan’s motion for independence was a constitutional battle to safe primary human rights, self-determination, and basic freedoms for the folks,” she including, “This historic expertise knowledgeable the method of shaping Pakistan’s structure and our authorized and judicial programs”. “Islamic teachings of equality, human dignity, and the proper to decide on one’s lifestyle have guided our worldview on human rights. Our contributions to worldwide human rights norms and establishment constructing can be impressed by these beliefs.”
“We’ve got at all times endeavoured to construct bridges throughout various views and various pursuits. As a member of the Human Rights Council and the OIC Coordinator for Human Rights in Geneva, now we have performed a significant position in forging political consensus on a number of human rights points and conditions of widespread concern. We are going to proceed to take action in advancing shared human rights causes,” she added.
The minister of state stated every nation had distinctive challenges and atmosphere that it should cope with whereas pursuing the reason for human rights. Subsequently, the human rights report of any State should be thought-about by understanding the broader social, financial and regional context, not in isolation, she added. “Previously three years, like many different growing nations, Pakistan has been adversely affected by the cascading crises of the COVID pandemic, the worldwide monetary crunch, and the fallout of longstanding conflicts in our area and past.”
The minister of state identified that these interlocking crises have squeezed fiscal house and eroded growth good points in lots of areas. “We’re, nonetheless, absolutely dedicated to rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of our folks and resolved to pursue a resilient restoration on these fronts with the assist of our worldwide companions,” she maintained.
Khar stated that states as responsibility bearers of rights and freedoms are more and more dealing with the scourge of disinformation and hate speech unfold by way of social media platforms. “We’re happy to have pioneered an initiative on the UN Normal Meeting in shaping a consensus on countering disinformation.” “At residence, we’re engaged on legal guidelines and insurance policies to cope with this modern phenomena of concern with an knowledgeable method in the direction of rights and obligations.”
The minister of state additional stated that “Whereas we’re happy with our progress and achievements, we’re aware of the necessity to maintain the momentum and overcome the challenges. The Authorities has made utmost efforts to advance human rights by way of institutional, authorized, and coverage measures.” Touching upon among the vital areas of this progress that align with a number of suggestions emanating from Pakistan’s final UPR, the Minister of State stated that with a view to strengthen institutional assist, the Authorities has enhanced the capability of current buildings on human rights and established new ones.
“The Ministry of Human Rights has upgraded its Regional Human Rights Directorates for efficient coordination with provincial stakeholders. Criticism cells have been established on the Federal and Provincial Directorates beneath the Human Rights Ministry for redressal and referral of human rights complaints.”
