human rights in pakistan essay with outline

Essay On Human Rights In Pakistan

Pakistan was created by the motive that everyone should live according to their will. The religion of Pakistan is Islam and it is not the religion of force. it is the religion of will. Since, the inception of Pakistan, it faced challenges regarding human rights, terrorism, tourism, internal and external security threats and sectarianism. The situation of human rights in Pakistan is complex due to large population, political uncertainty, feudalism etc. Keep on reading this essay on human rights in Pakistan.

The constitution of Pakistan provides fundamental rights to every citizen of Pakistan to, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion and freedom of every legal activity. In Pakistan, an independent HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (HRC) is working for the development of human rights for the general public. In addition to this, the people of the country are facing some problems regarding their human rights. It is the era of electronic media and no one has the right to abuse someone for its own interests and benefits. This piece of writing will cover the challenges of human rights and also provide some remedial measures to overcome the issue of human rights in Pakistan.

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In Pakistan the feudal system has strong bases and they are not providing even the basic rights to the people of their own country.

• Extremists activities are increasing day by day and these are violating the conditions of basic human rights. Some religious extremists are molding the teachings of Islam for their own interests and benefits.
• Political anarchy is the basic hurdle in the process of human rights. The political parties are just fighting with each other and not providing the development to the people of country.
• Freedom of press is being suppressed through different means. The influential people are trying to mold it for their benefits. They don’t want to see the reality.
• The major cause in the low human rights provision is the weak judicial system. the judiciary is not fully independent. Similarly, few of them are the black sheep’s those are violating the basic rights of the people and letting the rich people to vanish the needy.
• Furthermore, the main drawback in the human rights system of Pakistan is the case of missing persons. No one knows where they gone. It is the duty of the government to find the missing persons.

At least, the women harassment is an illegal activity. According to a survey report, Pakistan is one of the 10 countries those are abusing women and not providing them basic rights. For example, on 9 October, 2012, Taliban attacked the young activist Malala Yousafzai for the sake of its work, betterment of women’s education.

To conclude, Pakistan is facing too many challenges regarding human rights internally and externally. But there is always a way to solve the problems. The government is working for the provision of better human rights. They are going to educate the masses so they help the others. In this way, time is not far away, that people of Pakistan should meet the standards of the international community regarding human rights and any other field of life.

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Provincial Human Rights Departments are needed

‘Mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of male and female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other. Verily, the best honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you’ (Al-Hujrat: 13). Likewise, Article 1 of the Universal declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations declares that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Harmoniously, Articles 14, 25 and 15 to 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan protect the dignity, equality and liberty of the citizens. Hence, all codes of human rights depict the absolute universality in terms of instincts and natural rights. Then, There is a substantive convergence on the cultural, religious, economic and political rights but, still there exists a meaningful procedural divergence connecting cultural, political and economic interests among states.

Constitutionally, Pakistan is a federal parliamentary democracy. Human rights are protected as fundamental rights in the Constitution of Pakistan. Article 8 of the constitution provides that any law repugnant to the fundamental rights is void. Hence, this protection proves the significance of human rights for state and society. Article 9 protects the security of a person. Article 10 guarantees safeguards as to arrest and detention. Article 10A protects the right to fair trial and due process. Article 11 prohibits slavery and forced labor. Article 12 protects against retrospective punishment. Article 13 protects against double punishment and self-incrimination. Article 14 provides human dignity and prohibits torture for the purpose of extracting evidence. Article 15 provides freedom of movement. Article 16 provides freedom of assembly. Article 17 provides freedom of association. Article 18 guarantees freedom of trade, business or profession. Article 19 provides freedom of speech and 19A provides right to information. Article 20 ensures freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions.  Article 21 provides safeguards against taxation for the purpose of any particular religion. Article 22 provides safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion. Article 23 provides the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property in any part of Pakistan. Article 24 bestows protection of property rights. Article 25A enforces all citizens to be equal before law. Article 25 provides the right to education. Article 26 ensures that there shall be no discrimination in respect of access to public places. Article 27 protects against discrimination in services.  Article 28 allows people to preserve language, script and culture.

Besides, Chapter II of the Constitution enunciates principles of policy. These principles are collective rights of the society. Article 31 explains that Islamic way of life shall be promoted. Article 32 provides for the promotion of local government institutions. Article 33 provides for the discouragement of  parochial and other similar prejudices. Article 34 ensures full participation of women in national life. Article 35 protects marriage and family life. Article 36 provides safeguards and protection to minorities. Article 37 categorically affords promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils. Article 38 enforces promotion of social and economic well being of the people. Article 39 offers participation of people in the Armed Forces. Article 40 provides to strengthen bonds with Muslim world and promoting international peace.  Hence, fundamental rights and principles of policy are the anthology of human rights.

Knowledge gap is the fundamental cause of deteriorating human rights in Pakistan. Awareness of the contents and cause of human rights is instrumental for better implementation of human rights. The best mode to fill the knowledge gap is to incorporate the canons of fundamental rights in the educational syllabus of the nation followed by other awareness campaigns. Societal, cultural, political and religious awareness is key to undo the lock of despondency. Individuals, institutions and organizations should play their pivotal role in creating the indispensable dissemination of Human Rights.

Administrative remedy to human rights is the way forward. The mode is competent, prompt and unswervingly linked to the foundation of implementation. Pakistan is confronting a capacity crisis and this is choking the governance and service delivery. Pakistan guarantees potent constitutional and legislative support to the cause of human rights, but administrative bottlenecks are making us lag far behind in implementation.

The Constitution provides judicial remedy to citizens to enforce Human Rights. Article 184 (3) empowers the Supreme Court to enforce public rights on the matters of public interest. Article 199 of the Constitution empowers the High Courts to execute writs against government functionaries for the enforcement of fundamental rights. Application of section 491 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898 provides that a person within the limits of its appellate criminal jurisdiction be brought up before the court to be dealt with according to law. Then, there is a remedy available under section 220 of the Pakistan Penal Code alongside a number of legislative protections.

Inherently, judicial enforcement of human rights has been long-winded across the world. Hence, judicial enforcement is instrumental and improved standards in civil and criminal justice systems will make implementation better. Overhauling of judicial practices shall explicitly enhance improvement in the implementation of Human Rights in Pakistan.

Administrative remedy to human rights is the way forward. The mode is competent, prompt and unswervingly linked to the foundation of implementation. Pakistan is confronting a capacity crisis and this is choking the governance and service delivery. Pakistan guarantees potent constitutional and legislative support to the cause of human rights, but administrative bottlenecks are making us lag far behind in implementation. Human rights are devolved as a provincial subject and provinces require functional Human Rights departments. Besides, implementation is improbable without raising a functional Human Rights Service HRS and devolving the function to the districts by erecting district setups. Federal intervention in provincial implementation is unconstitutional. Functional Human Rights Departments and Human Rights Services are instrumental for the cause of implementation.

The coded rules and law of public organizations should be revamped in order to achieve administrative capacity and functionality. Public and private partnership is key for the cause of implementation. Almost, all federal and provincial organizations have inserted human rights in their organizational rules of business according to Article 139. If only these rules of business are administratively implemented by the departments, the implementation will improve significantly.

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Minority rights in Pakistan: Challenges and Solutions

Naveed Ahmad

The hue and cry on the violation of minority rights, soon after independence, emerged as a fuzzy whimpering, gradually gained a crescendo and over the decades, it has snowballed into major crises and have become a popular frenzy. The popular underprivileged sloganeering of Muslims of pre-independence evaporated soon after the independence. Since then, minorities in Pakistan have been subjected to social, political, economic and educational discrimination. Nevertheless, provisions through gradual constitutional development and changing composure of collective mindset, along with the evolution of liberal think tank in the region, the otherwise compromised rights of minorities have earned social and legal acceptance to some extent. However, there are pervasive social and moral anomalies still existent in society, which barricades the notion of mutual co-existence.

Pakistan, since its inception, came into being with a popular ideology of equal citizenry. Muslims being a minority in united India, found the motivation to craft the ideology of Pakistan as an all-embracing, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Contrary to this, the lateral developments in Pakistan enveloped the reservations of minorities in fog. The emphasis of founding fathers of Pakistan with special regards to minorities became a myth and Qaid’s unwavering cry of religious, social and economic freedom to minorities faded away.

The famous entitlement of Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity by Sarojni naidu was incomplete. Jinnah, along with this, was an ambassador of the rights of minorities as well. It was Jinnah’s sane mind behind the construct of his fourteen points, Lakhna-o-pact and Delhi Muslim proposals which promised special rights to minorities. It was Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, who appointed Jughander nath mandal, a shoodher and untouchable in Hindu society, to chair the first ever constituent assembly of Pakistan. It was Jinnah, who, in his first speech after independence, echoed an unequivocal and open national narrative that reads;

“You are free. You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to with the business of the state”.

In a similar token, para(3) of Lahore resolution 1940 acknowledges that, no bill without the effective, adequate and mandatory safeguards will be accepted, having not specifically provided for the minorities, for the protection of social, political, religious and cultural rights in consultation with them. Likewise, it was sir Zafar ullah khan, former foreign minister of Pakistan and an Ahmedi by religion, who wrote the Lahore declaration and it was presented by A.K Fazal-ul-haq, a Bengali. This is how the founding fathers of Pakistan treated the minorities.

After the independence of Pakistan, particularly during the infamous regime of general Zia-ul-haq, the notorious efforts to craft the meaning of Pakistan from the fundamental Islamic credo started. The unchecked Islamization narrative of state disregarded the reservations of religious minorities in Pakistan. Since then, the plight of minorities with regards to religious liberty in particular and social acceptance in general has been an unsettling worry. The article 9 of the constitution of Pakistan promises the right to life and security. It maintains that, its state’s duty to safeguard the life of minorities. However, the provision could not provide any pragmatic value to resolve the issues of minorities. The joseph street incident (2013) that set ablaze an entire street of Christians in Lahore, stemming from unfounded blasphemy accusation, with many burnt alive and a similar incident in gojra, to count few, reflect the challenging life of minorities in Pakistan.

As a matter of fact, there are many provisions in legal and constitutional framework of Pakistan with special concerns to minorities. But, more than the textual acknowledgement, practical outcomes are important and that’s where both government and the society has failed to render fruitful outcomes. For instance, Article 14 of constitution of Pakistan lays great stress on the inviolability of the dignity. However, minorities like Christians have been labelled with and particularized for certain degraded jobs like sanitation. Moreover, Article 10 of the constitution necessitates free and fair trial for every individual, whereas minorities have been unable to extract any good from this provision owing to unchallenged might of religious majorities.

In a similar token, the constitutional non-compliance and ignorant outlook of citizenry has created an impasse in the implementation of special laws for minorities. As an example, Article 24 of the constitution gives the right to buy and sell property. However, minorities have been at challenge to enjoy this right. For instance, last year, a Christian was brutally killed for purchasing a house in a sunni majority area in Peshawar. Similarly, the management of religious institutions through Article 22, has been at the disposal of religious superiors of the religion while the minorities have been suffering from the same because of prevailed religious intolerance. Likewise, in the recent Karak incident, where a temple was set ablaze, killing of Cristian minorities, murder of an accused blasphemer in day light and that too in the court, forced marriages and forced conversion have furthered the worsening situation and have pressed the screws on the already festering wounds of minorities.

Nevertheless, there are many initiative and positive features that became a part of governance and judicial system, worthy of applaud. To count few, Pakistan is one of the Muslim countries where a chief justice of Pakistan can be a non-Muslim. For example, Justice Rana Rhagwan Daas and Justice Alvin Robert Cornelius were the acumens of their time in judiciary of Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistan is one of the few countries where minorities have specified quota in national assembly and reserved seats in senate. Moreover, in competitive exams, both at provincial and combined level, minorities have special quota. Similarly, minorities enjoy special quota in armed services and professional fields like medical sciences and engineering.

On the other hand, Pakistan is the only country where Hindu and Sikh marriage act exists separately. Even in India, Sikhs in Hindu majority areas do not possess this kind of legal provision on marriages and need special registration. Likewise, regarding liberty of expression, Pakistan Cristian’s post, a daily newspaper in Pakistan, highlights issues, reservations and challenges to Cristian community.

Nevertheless, there are rather bigger challenges which need to be dealt first for a mutually harmonized society. For instance, it is highly pertinent to inject the spirit and emotion of acceptance of minorities in the hearts of common populace. Moreover, all the gazzetted holidays for minorities which have been stopped must be renewed to show the world that we are an inclusive nation, where the rights of minorities are protected. The representation of minorities must be increased in comparison to their population in national assembly. Pakistan has a single ministry for minority affairs and there is a high need to increase the ministries for minorities to empower them.

Likewise, minorities must have their proper political representation. In this regards, political parties must understand the need of minority empowerment and provide more tickets to minorities to contest elections. More than that, awareness at local level and eradicating the odds that hinder the bigger cause of humanity are important. The seats in national assembly, quota in jobs and army cannot be enhanced without knowing the exact population of minorities in Pakistan. However, population of minorities in Pakistan after 2017 census has not been released by government. Government must unveil the census report so that proper framework would be made to address the issues and to enhance the spectrum of quota of minorities in accordance with their exact population at every level.

Similarly, Pakistan should adopt a comprehensive law to address all forms of discriminations against minorities. There is high need to properly implement the existing laws aimed at protecting the rights of minorities. The legal system and law and order must comply with the fundamental human rights with special regards to minorities incorporated in constitution (Article 8-28). Most importantly proper implementation of the provisions of constitution in true letter and spirit is important.

On the whole, although minorities in Pakistan have been suffering owing to the lack of proper implementation of law and order and at the same time due to evolving violent attire of religious hard-liners, yet there is a lot to hope from the government as it has, to some extent, managed to provide important services towards religious liberty in Pakistan. The evolving liberal society bodes the hope for collective acceptance. Despite the fact that the minorities have been subjected to terror, deemed lesser citizens, killed and harassed and their places of worships demolished and set ablaze, there have been gradual developments in governance, constitution, law and order and the social composure that has gradually started to accept the minorities as equal citizens of Pakistan.

The contributor is a former CCO of “Wall of Hope” and a Graduate in Economics of GCU, Lahore.

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Pamir Times is the pioneering community news and views portal of Gilgit – Baltistan, Kohistan, Chitral and the surrounding mountain areas. It is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan and independent venture initiated by the youth.

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HUMAN RIGHTS---A Sample Essay

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Essay on Human Rights: Samples in 500 and 1500

• Updated on  
• Jun 20, 2024

Essay writing is an integral part of the school curriculum and various academic and competitive exams like IELTS , TOEFL , SAT , UPSC , etc. It is designed to test your command of the English language and how well you can gather your thoughts and present them in a structure with a flow. To master your ability to write an essay, you must read as much as possible and practise on any given topic. This blog brings you a detailed guide on how to write an essay on Human Rights , with useful essay samples on Human rights.

This Blog Includes:

The basic human rights, 200 words essay on human rights, 500 words essay on human rights, 500+ words essay on human rights in india, 1500 words essay on human rights, importance of human rights, essay on human rights pdf, what are human rights.

Human rights mark everyone as free and equal, irrespective of age, gender, caste, creed, religion and nationality. The United Nations adopted human rights in light of the atrocities people faced during the Second World War. On the 10th of December 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Its adoption led to the recognition of human rights as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace for every individual. Although it’s not legally binding, most nations have incorporated these human rights into their constitutions and domestic legal frameworks. Human rights safeguard us from discrimination and guarantee that our most basic needs are protected.

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Before we move on to the essays on human rights, let’s check out the basics of what they are.

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Here is a 200-word short sample essay on basic Human Rights.

Human rights are a set of rights given to every human being regardless of their gender, caste, creed, religion, nation, location or economic status. These are said to be moral principles that illustrate certain standards of human behaviour. Protected by law , these rights are applicable everywhere and at any time. Basic human rights include the right to life, right to a fair trial, right to remedy by a competent tribunal, right to liberty and personal security, right to own property, right to education, right of peaceful assembly and association, right to marriage and family, right to nationality and freedom to change it, freedom of speech, freedom from discrimination, freedom from slavery, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of movement, right of opinion and information, right to adequate living standard and freedom from interference with privacy, family, home and correspondence.

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Check out this 500-word long essay on Human Rights.

Every person has dignity and value. One of the ways that we recognise the fundamental worth of every person is by acknowledging and respecting their human rights. Human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness. They recognise our freedom to make choices about our lives and develop our potential as human beings. They are about living a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination.

Human rights can broadly be defined as the basic rights that people worldwide have agreed are essential. These include the right to life, the right to a fair trial, freedom from torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to health, education and an adequate standard of living. These human rights are the same for all people everywhere – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, regardless of our background, where we live, what we think or believe. This basic property is what makes human rights’ universal’.

Human rights connect us all through a shared set of rights and responsibilities. People’s ability to enjoy their human rights depends on other people respecting those rights. This means that human rights involve responsibility and duties towards other people and the community. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise their rights with consideration for the rights of others. For example, when someone uses their right to freedom of speech, they should do so without interfering with someone else’s right to privacy.

Governments have a particular responsibility to ensure that people can enjoy their rights. They must establish and maintain laws and services that enable people to enjoy a life in which their rights are respected and protected. For example, the right to education says that everyone is entitled to a good education. Therefore, governments must provide good quality education facilities and services to their people. If the government fails to respect or protect their basic human rights, people can take it into account.

Values of tolerance, equality and respect can help reduce friction within society. Putting human rights ideas into practice can help us create the kind of society we want to live in. There has been tremendous growth in how we think about and apply human rights ideas in recent decades. This growth has had many positive results – knowledge about human rights can empower individuals and offer solutions for specific problems.

Human rights are an important part of how people interact with others at all levels of society – in the family, the community, school, workplace, politics and international relations. Therefore, people everywhere must strive to understand what human rights are. When people better understand human rights, it is easier for them to promote justice and the well-being of society. 

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Here is a human rights essay focused on India.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It has been rightly proclaimed in the American Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Created with certain unalienable rights….” Similarly, the Indian Constitution has ensured and enshrined Fundamental rights for all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour, sex or nationality. These basic rights, commonly known as human rights, are recognised the world over as basic rights with which every individual is born.

In recognition of human rights, “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made on the 10th of December, 1948. This declaration is the basic instrument of human rights. Even though this declaration has no legal bindings and authority, it forms the basis of all laws on human rights. The necessity of formulating laws to protect human rights is now being felt all over the world. According to social thinkers, the issue of human rights became very important after World War II concluded. It is important for social stability both at the national and international levels. Wherever there is a breach of human rights, there is conflict at one level or the other.

Given the increasing importance of the subject, it becomes necessary that educational institutions recognise the subject of human rights as an independent discipline. The course contents and curriculum of the discipline of human rights may vary according to the nature and circumstances of a particular institution. Still, generally, it should include the rights of a child, rights of minorities, rights of the needy and the disabled, right to live, convention on women, trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation etc.

Since the formation of the United Nations , the promotion and protection of human rights have been its main focus. The United Nations has created a wide range of mechanisms for monitoring human rights violations. The conventional mechanisms include treaties and organisations, U.N. special reporters, representatives and experts and working groups. Asian countries like China argue in favour of collective rights. According to Chinese thinkers, European countries lay stress upon individual rights and values while Asian countries esteem collective rights and obligations to the family and society as a whole.

With the freedom movement the world over after World War II, the end of colonisation also ended the policy of apartheid and thereby the most aggressive violation of human rights. With the spread of education, women are asserting their rights. Women’s movements play an important role in spreading the message of human rights. They are fighting for their rights and supporting the struggle for human rights of other weaker and deprived sections like bonded labour, child labour, landless labour, unemployed persons, Dalits and elderly people.

Unfortunately, violation of human rights continues in most parts of the world. Ethnic cleansing and genocide can still be seen in several parts of the world. Large sections of the world population are deprived of the necessities of life i.e. food, shelter and security of life. Right to minimum basic needs viz. Work, health care, education and shelter are denied to them. These deprivations amount to the negation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Check out this detailed 1500-word essay on human rights.

The human right to live and exist, the right to equality, including equality before the law, non-discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, the right to practice any profession or occupation, the right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking in human beings, the right to freedom of conscience, practice and propagation of religion and the right to legal remedies for enforcement of the above are basic human rights. These rights and freedoms are the very foundations of democracy.

Obviously, in a democracy, the people enjoy the maximum number of freedoms and rights. Besides these are political rights, which include the right to contest an election and vote freely for a candidate of one’s choice. Human rights are a benchmark of a developed and civilised society. But rights cannot exist in a vacuum. They have their corresponding duties. Rights and duties are the two aspects of the same coin.

Liberty never means license. Rights presuppose the rule of law, where everyone in the society follows a code of conduct and behaviour for the good of all. It is the sense of duty and tolerance that gives meaning to rights. Rights have their basis in the ‘live and let live’ principle. For example, my right to speech and expression involves my duty to allow others to enjoy the same freedom of speech and expression. Rights and duties are inextricably interlinked and interdependent. A perfect balance is to be maintained between the two. Whenever there is an imbalance, there is chaos.

A sense of tolerance, propriety and adjustment is a must to enjoy rights and freedom. Human life sans basic freedom and rights is meaningless. Freedom is the most precious possession without which life would become intolerable, a mere abject and slavish existence. In this context, Milton’s famous and oft-quoted lines from his Paradise Lost come to mind: “To reign is worth ambition though in hell/Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”

However, liberty cannot survive without its corresponding obligations and duties. An individual is a part of society in which he enjoys certain rights and freedom only because of the fulfilment of certain duties and obligations towards others. Thus, freedom is based on mutual respect’s rights. A fine balance must be maintained between the two, or there will be anarchy and bloodshed. Therefore, human rights can best be preserved and protected in a society steeped in morality, discipline and social order.

Violation of human rights is most common in totalitarian and despotic states. In the theocratic states, there is much persecution, and violation in the name of religion and the minorities suffer the most. Even in democracies, there is widespread violation and infringement of human rights and freedom. The women, children and the weaker sections of society are victims of these transgressions and violence.

The U.N. Commission on Human Rights’ main concern is to protect and promote human rights and freedom in the world’s nations. In its various sessions held from time to time in Geneva, it adopts various measures to encourage worldwide observations of these basic human rights and freedom. It calls on its member states to furnish information regarding measures that comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whenever there is a complaint of a violation of these rights. In addition, it reviews human rights situations in various countries and initiates remedial measures when required.

The U.N. Commission was much concerned and dismayed at the apartheid being practised in South Africa till recently. The Secretary-General then declared, “The United Nations cannot tolerate apartheid. It is a legalised system of racial discrimination, violating the most basic human rights in South Africa. It contradicts the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter. That is why over the last forty years, my predecessors and I have urged the Government of South Africa to dismantle it.”

Now, although apartheid is no longer practised in that country, other forms of apartheid are being blatantly practised worldwide. For example, sex apartheid is most rampant. Women are subject to abuse and exploitation. They are not treated equally and get less pay than their male counterparts for the same jobs. In employment, promotions, possession of property etc., they are most discriminated against. Similarly, the rights of children are not observed properly. They are forced to work hard in very dangerous situations, sexually assaulted and exploited, sold and bonded for labour.

The Commission found that religious persecution, torture, summary executions without judicial trials, intolerance, slavery-like practices, kidnapping, political disappearance, etc., are being practised even in the so-called advanced countries and societies. The continued acts of extreme violence, terrorism and extremism in various parts of the world like Pakistan, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Somalia, Algeria, Lebanon, Chile, China, and Myanmar, etc., by the governments, terrorists, religious fundamentalists, and mafia outfits, etc., is a matter of grave concern for the entire human race.

Violation of freedom and rights by terrorist groups backed by states is one of the most difficult problems society faces. For example, Pakistan has been openly collaborating with various terrorist groups, indulging in extreme violence in India and other countries. In this regard the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva adopted a significant resolution, which was co-sponsored by India, focusing on gross violation of human rights perpetrated by state-backed terrorist groups.

The resolution expressed its solidarity with the victims of terrorism and proposed that a U.N. Fund for victims of terrorism be established soon. The Indian delegation recalled that according to the Vienna Declaration, terrorism is nothing but the destruction of human rights. It shows total disregard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. The delegation further argued that terrorism cannot be treated as a mere crime because it is systematic and widespread in its killing of civilians.

Violation of human rights, whether by states, terrorists, separatist groups, armed fundamentalists or extremists, is condemnable. Regardless of the motivation, such acts should be condemned categorically in all forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomever they are committed, as acts of aggression aimed at destroying human rights, fundamental freedom and democracy. The Indian delegation also underlined concerns about the growing connection between terrorist groups and the consequent commission of serious crimes. These include rape, torture, arson, looting, murder, kidnappings, blasts, and extortion, etc.

Violation of human rights and freedom gives rise to alienation, dissatisfaction, frustration and acts of terrorism. Governments run by ambitious and self-seeking people often use repressive measures and find violence and terror an effective means of control. However, state terrorism, violence, and human freedom transgressions are very dangerous strategies. This has been the background of all revolutions in the world. Whenever there is systematic and widespread state persecution and violation of human rights, rebellion and revolution have taken place. The French, American, Russian and Chinese Revolutions are glowing examples of human history.

The first war of India’s Independence in 1857 resulted from long and systematic oppression of the Indian masses. The rapidly increasing discontent, frustration and alienation with British rule gave rise to strong national feelings and demand for political privileges and rights. Ultimately the Indian people, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, made the British leave India, setting the country free and independent.

Human rights and freedom ought to be preserved at all costs. Their curtailment degrades human life. The political needs of a country may reshape Human rights, but they should not be completely distorted. Tyranny, regimentation, etc., are inimical of humanity and should be resisted effectively and united. The sanctity of human values, freedom and rights must be preserved and protected. Human Rights Commissions should be established in all countries to take care of human freedom and rights. In cases of violation of human rights, affected individuals should be properly compensated, and it should be ensured that these do not take place in future.

These commissions can become effective instruments in percolating the sensitivity to human rights down to the lowest levels of governments and administrations. The formation of the National Human Rights Commission in October 1993 in India is commendable and should be followed by other countries.

Also Read: Law Courses in India

Human rights are of utmost importance to seek basic equality and human dignity. Human rights ensure that the basic needs of every human are met. They protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and abuse, allow people to stand up for themselves, and follow any religion without fear and give them the freedom to express their thoughts freely. In addition, they grant people access to basic education and equal work opportunities. Thus implementing these rights is crucial to ensure freedom, peace and safety.

Human Rights Day is annually celebrated on the 10th of December.

Human Rights Day is celebrated to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UNGA in 1948.

Some of the common Human Rights are the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom from slavery and torture and the right to work and education.

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Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

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The National Commission for Human Rights was formed through the National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012

The Commission was created for the promotion and protection of human rights according to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and international human rights instruments

What are Human Rights?

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

Message from the Chairperson

NCHR’s vision is to see a progressive Pakistan where human rights of all faiths, races and ethnicities are respected and celebrated. Through our dedicated team across Pakistan, NCHR is committed to fulfilling its mandate of promoting the human rights of all citizens.

Message of the Chairperson

As the second team of the National Commission for Human rights has finally been appointed, the NCHR is now functional once again and committed to work towards human rights protection and realisation throughout the country. NCHR’s vision is to see a progressive Pakistan where human rights off all faiths, races and ethnicities are respected and celebrated. Through our dedicated team across Pakistan, the Commission is committed to fulfilling its mandate of promoting human rights of all citizens.

The Commission’s role and functions are unique: an autonomous and impartial body formed through an Act of Parliament, the NCHR’s mandate is in line with Paris Principles, the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and has the capacity to advise the Government on Pakistan’s commitment to fulling its international human rights obligations under the seven core international human rights instruments Pakistan is a signatory to and has ratified: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

NCHR’s distinguishing position further allows it to act as a liaison between the Government and civil society organizations. This distinct feature is achieved through NCHR’s pivotal role of working with civil society organizations and extensive mandate which allows for it to monitor, observe, directly investigate, raise awareness, inquire into complaints and make recommendations pertaining to human rights issues across Pakistan. The National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012 specifically allows the Commission multiple powers such as the authority to inquire and investigate into complaints of human rights, submit an application to court to become a party of a case involving human rights, perform jail visits, make recommendations for the amendment or adoption of new laws and make recommendations for the implementation of international human rights instruments.

As the rest of today’s world, there are multifaceted human rights issues in Pakistan which arise on a day to day basis. NCHR’s role will be central to resolving such issues over the duration of its term through zeal, dedication and integrity.

The primary functions and powers of the NCHR

Judicial & Investigative Function

Conduct investigations into allegations of human rights abuses, either on petitions filed by individuals or institutions, or through suo-moto action.

Review existing and proposed legislation in relation to human rights principles and act as a court when required.

Knowledge Production

Develop Reports, Data & research and advise on policy matters pertaining to the situation of human rights in Pakistan.

Awareness & Advocacy

Contribute to national human rights awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives in the country.

Legal Monitoring & Policymaking

Act as a human rights watchdog to ensure provision of constitutional and legal safeguards for human rights in laws and policies.

Activities and Events

Registering an fir (fir darj karnay ka tareeka) – aagahi series, nikkahnama – aagahi series, sexual harassment (jinsi hirasa) – aagahi series, rape (zina bil jabr) – aagahi series.

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Child labor in pakistan: policy analysis.

In Pakistan, child labor is a serious human rights issue with millions of children working to support their families. These children are deprived of their basic right to education. In this context, this policy brief aims to highlight the seriousness of the child labor issue, showing its links to poverty, lack of access to education, and ineffective government laws and policies. Pakistan is an economically developing country where poverty and inflation are high, and these factors ultimately promote child labor. Therefore, this paper suggests various ways to resolve the issue of child labor with an integrated long-term approach based on community needs and requirements, including initiation of poverty eradication programs, provision of income generation opportunities to poor families, implementation of free primary and compulsory education, vocational training for children and awareness programs, as well as, enforcement of laws and policies by the state. Many of the reflections that laid the foundation of the present study for resolving child labor issues were based on five years of practical experience in the field of human rights, particularly focused on child protection, child labor, non-formal education, and creating livelihood opportunities for poor families in Pakistan.  Subsequently, various policy alternatives were proposed and evaluated using Policy Delphi rankings and certain assessment criteria such as efficiency, liberty, acceptability, socio-political feasibility, economic feasibility and ease of implementation that could be effective in providing income generation opportunities to the families of child laborers, quality education to these children, and proper implementation of existing laws and policies related to child labor, child rights, and child education.

Key findings

The findings of the analysis highlighted certain major causes of increasing child labor in Pakistan including poverty and inflation due to which poor families are left with fewer employment options in Pakistan, non-availability and non-accessibility of schools for poor child laborers, lack of implementation of universal and compulsory primary education that  further compels many parents to send their children to work, earn money, and learn new skills, and rapidly growing illiteracy and ignorance especially in the lower economic classes due to lack of resources. The study further proposed significant policy alternatives for restricting child labor and reforming the socio-economic status of poor children by promoting child rights and child education in Pakistan. These policy options included banning child labor entirely, poverty alleviation programs, vocational schooling programs, enforcing part-time education, and research and data collection. Since criteria-based assessment exposed certain trade-offs between different alternatives, the decision was made considering what society would value more and what would be administratively feasible for the government to do. According to the Policy Delphi results, the most desirable alternative was the imposition of part-time education on children. Although it ranked well on ensuring liberty and long-term effectiveness, the economic costs and difficulty in implementation would cause problems since this alternative would require time especially in case of setting up separate schools for the provision of such part-time education. On the contrary, the policy option of carrying out research and data collection was found as the easiest to implement but it would not be efficient in the short-run as it could not generate quick results. Therefore, it was ranked as the least desired alternative, although such research might not be as costly as the other alternatives and would help in drawing up future policy alternatives that could target the problem more effectively. However, the Pakistani society was found favoring quick results over calculated and well-researched alternatives that might take longer to implement and bring about results.

Implications

The study suggests that the action plan to reduce and prevent child labor must consider all aspects of education, from the government school system, non-formal and transitional programs to curriculum development, provision of materials and equipment, quality teachers and extracurricular activities. There should be a strong focus on non-formal education in rural and remote areas or in disadvantaged urban districts. Vocational training and skill education can also be essential components and strategies to reduce child labor. Besides all that, the public needs to be made aware of child labor, particularly its worst forms, and how child labor is harmful to the children as well as to the society. For this, awareness-raising activities including social mobilization, workshops, seminars, and trainings could be beneficial to inform communities and parents about the detrimental effects of child labor. Moreover, to encourage children and ensure their effective participation in decision-making, children’s clubs could be formed promoting child rights, raising awareness and discouraging child labor in society. These clubs could be set up at the community, schools, district, provincial and national levels. In addition to that, the industrial areas in Pakistan such as Sialkot, Kasur and Hyderabad should be targeted and part-time education should be imposed upon all child laborers with careful monitoring of progress, especially in the first few years to ensure that the children are benefitting from the education. Through the imposition of part-time education, the child laborers will not only be able to support their families, but they will also be able to get educated, hence ensuring better prospects for them in the future. Similarly, it can lead to more children being streamlined into the education system in the long-run, ending the cycle of illiteracy and poverty. Therefore, sperate schools for child laborers should be set up in partnership with local and international NGOs so that the entire economic and administrative burden does not fall on the government, as well as to allow more innovation in ideas and better planning. However, in the short-term, government should set up temporary schools or space should be made in government schools for evening classes to cater to child laborers since separate schools serving this purpose can only be set up in the longer run. Furthermore, the government of Pakistan needs to revise its poverty eradication strategy and should include broader participation by the civil society and the private sector at all stages of policy process including formulation, implementation, and outcome-based monitoring. This strategy should recognize the multidimensional nature of poverty and the scope of actions needed to reduce poverty by controlling inflation and providing income generation opportunities to poor and vulnerable families. Similarly, the government of Pakistan could conduct a survey to identify the extent of the issue of child labor. The findings of the survey would be helpful in designing an action plan for combating child labor effectively. However, the engagement of civil society organizations and International Labor Organization (ILO) would be quite essential in this whole process to provide technical assistance to the government of Pakistan. The government also needs to increase the wages of labor class people according to the market rates. Moreover, providing microcredit or microfinance assistance to poor families without interest for business purposes would be another effective policy option to increase their income. Whereas, in order to resolve the issue of indebtedness and bonded child labor, the social protection system needs to be promoted. Similarly, the existing social protection programs by the government including Bait-ul-Mal and Zakat programs should be strengthened and promoted to give benefits to maximum number of poor families. In addition to that, allocation of special funds in terms of cash, alternate livelihood, a piece of land, and quality education to children along with scholarships, incentives to families, low-cost housing, vocational trainings and social security cards for the rehabilitation of bonded and child labor families could be another positive action for the protection and prevention of child labor. Since, the government of Pakistan has amended Employment of Children Act (ECA) 1991 to include child labor issues in informal sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and home, the government of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies should also make efforts to enforce all these laws in their true sprit by allocating sufficient funds and establishing an implementation infrastructure mechanism in the country. Additionally, in the long-term, more policies should be implemented and research should be carried out to monitor progress of the initial policy plans and their success rate.