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What experts say: Shireen Mazari reacted to a letter written to PM Imran Khan by HRW

Dunya News

Shireen Mazari delivers sharp rebuke to HRW for selective oversight

(WebDesk) - Pakistan has long been criticized on the sheer violation of human rights for quite a span. International Human Rights organization in multiple reports pointed towards the human rights abuse and criminal ignorance in taking stern actions against the prevailing deteriorating situation of human rights such as arbitary detentions, torture, deaths in custody, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial execution.

International human rights organizations are also concerned about the government of Pakistan malfunctioning to protect individuals – particularly women, religious minorities and children – from violence and other human rights abuses committed in the home, in the community, and while in legal custody.

On multiple occasions, organizations like International human rights watch, amnesty international, human rights commission of Pakistan and others have alleged Pakistan being failed to ensure legal redress after violations have occurred. In addition, Pakistan continues to impose the death penalty on persons convicted of crimes.

Addressing the same concerns, on August 27 2018, the Asian director of International human rights watch Brad Adams, has written a letter to the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan which had asked PM Imran Khan to stress on the measures should be taken to avoid violations of human rights in his government.

The letter advocated freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief and condemned violence against women and girls, terrorism and counter-terrorism abuses and urged access to education for all and restoring cessation on death penalty. The HRW wants the government to begin by reversing abusive laws and policies and demonstrating genuine commitment to the rule of law and equal justice.

Also Read: Prime Minister Imran Khan s first address to nation

In response to the letter wrote by the human rights director Asia, Bran Adams to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal minister of Human rights Shireen Nazari has also written a letter.

The letter said we are well aware of our obligations and committed to protect the rights of our citizens in pursuance to our constitutional and international commitments; not be any external pressure. Minister of Human rights went on to raise voice against HR violations carried out in Indian Occupied Kashmir, Palestine and in some EU States against Muslims with regards to the Human Rights Watch mentioning ‘monitoring of human rights violations in 90 countries’ in a letter wrote to PM Khan.

Also Read: India committing human rights violation in Occupied Kashmir: Dastagir

"I may have missed your monitoring reports on these, so would appreciate if you could refresh my memory,", she said in an official letter written in response to HRW letter stressing to take actions against human rights violations in Pakistan.

The situation of ‘Human Rights’ in Pakistan, is complex as a result of the country’s diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a sovereign, democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws.

Also Read: National Minorities Day: A day to repledge the safeguard of rights for all

The letter written by HRW to the Prime Minister Imran Khan advocated freedom of expression, freedom of religion and belief and condemned violence against women and girls, terrorism and counter-terrorism abuses and urged access to education for all and restoring cessation on death penalty. The HRW wants the government to begin by reversing abusive laws and policies and demonstrating genuine commitment to the rule of law and equal justice.

The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the (conditional) right to bear arms. The Clauses also provide for an independent Supreme Court, separation of executive and judiciary, an independent judiciary, independent Human Rights commission and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. However it is debatable how much these clauses are respected in practice.

The Minister of Human Rights rebuked in respnse to the HRW letter and said, we are well aware of our obligations and committed to protect the rights of our citizens in pursuance to our constitutional and international commitments; not be any external pressure. Minister of Human rights went on to raise voice against HR violations carried out in Indian Occupied Kashmir, Palestine and in some EU States against Muslims with regards to the Human Rights Watch mentioning ‘monitoring of human rights violations in 90 countries’ in a letter wrote to PM Khan.

Here is how the experts reacted to the latest situation stirred after the Minister of human rights Shireen Mazari in response to the international human rights watch director Asia, Bran Adams,

Senior jounalist and analyst of political and international affairs Salman Ghani said that human rights issues in west are considered the grave issues in comparison with the eastern world specially in muslim world where the situation of human rights violations often echoes. A new government in Pakistan which in large is being considered enlightened and progressive in their approach to run the affairs, is in the transition phase of taking over the charge. Human Rights issue should be sorted out through parliament with all political parties consensus. Once Pakistan being able to resolve the issues of human rights would become credible and a substantial vioce to be heard on gross human rights being violated in India, Indian occupied Kashmir, Myanmar and other countries.

The legal expert, journalist and anchor person Saad Rasool said that pakistan has been a signatory of different international laws of human rights  and as state we are obliged to ensure the implementation of those laws through our legislations and constitution. In previous governments, Pakistan could not reach up to the mark of the pledges we made internationally. Naya Pakistan government should focus more on the solutions of the gross violations of human rights in our society. It is commendable that the minister of human rights not only reteriated the commitment t fulfil the obligations regarding human rights situation in Pakistan also pointed out HRW consideration towards the rights violated in Kashmir, Palestine and in other regions against muslims.

According to the journalist and anchorperson Ajmal Jami it is a routine exercise that International monitoring organization write letters to the head of states of the signatory countries after they resume offices and address their concerns so did International Human rights Watch. It is state s responsibility to deliver a substantial reply. He said the way the minister of human rights Dr. Shireen Mazari responded to the letter is commendable. International human rights organization should concentrate more where these violations are gross such as Myanmar, Indian Occupied Kashmir, Muslims living in a constant threat of extremism and discrimination under the influence of hindutva. Pakistan is still in the state of war where the dynamics of dealing with issues are different despite media highlight the issues of human rights violation, further added.

International legal advisor, South Asia at International court of Justice Reema Omer said

Renowned author, politician, former journalist and a public policy adviser Farahnaz Ispahani said

Well-known journalist Naseem Zehra said

Another veteran journalist Murtaza Solangi reacted that

Human rights activist Nida Kirmani said

Politician and a human rights activist Afrasiab Khattak said

Author, Scholar and Educationist Ayesha Siddiqa reacted

By Mehreen Fatima

Related Topics
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Human Rights
Pakistan
Pakistan Politics