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Mr. Chairman,
I thank you for giving me the floor on this overarching and important agenda item.
We appreciate the Secretary General for his comprehensive reports which provide useful updates on the latest developments in the field of human rights.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan’s commitment to promotion and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms is firmly embedded in the national Constitution. Part Two of the Constitution contains an elaborate chapter on fundamental rights and freedoms which are guaranteed by the State to all citizens, without any discrimination. These include the right to life and liberty, safeguard from arbitrary detention, safeguard against slavery and bonded labour, protection against retrospective or double punishment and self-incrimination, inviolability of dignity and privacy, freedom of speech and the freedom of movement, association and assembly.
The protection of minorities is a top priority for the Government. A ‘Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony’ has been established to cater to the special needs of the minorities and to promote inter-religious dialogue and understanding among various communities. A ‘National Commission on Minorities’ is fully functional since 2014, with the powers to address all aspects of minorities’ rights in the country. Steps have also been taken for their political and economic empowerment.
Mr. Chairman,
The last few years have been very challenging for my country because of the terrorist activities of extremist groups that have targeted our security forces, civilians, journalists, and government installations including schools. In order to deal with this extra-ordinary situation, the Government has launched a comprehensive National Action Plan to effectively stem the supply of all political and financial support to these organizations, both from within and outside of the country. This notwithstanding, the Government is exercising utmost caution to ensure that the fundamental human rights of the citizens are not violated in this process.
The Government values its constructive engagement with civil society organizations. However, as in all civilized and democratic societies, the Government has the sovereign right to know about the scale and sources of their funding, both from within and abroad, and to monitor its utilization in the country. The Government has not banned any International NGO from working in Pakistan and the purpose of the new registration process is to bring their work within the ambit of national laws and to ensure public safety. All national and international NGOs are free to work so long as they abide by the recognized principles of neutrality, transparency and respect for national laws. There is no discrimination in this regard.
Member states have the primary responsibility to protect the life and liberties of all its citizens in accordance with its constitutional obligations and international human rights conventions. All groups and individuals who are engaged in promoting and defending human rights are entitled to equal protection of law within this legal framework. It would be more useful to assist member states in strengthening their law enforcement rather than trying to create new categories and sub-categories of human rights defenders.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan is fully committed to upholding the freedom of media and to protect journalists in performance of duties. The Prime Minister has established a high-power Media Commission, which brings together government officials and media representatives on all issues pertaining to protection of journalists. The Government has also established a special media security committee, which is functioning under supervision of the Prime Minister. Special prosecutors have been appointed to deal with cases involving attacks on journalist.
The voluntary moratorium on death penalty in Pakistan was lifted on the unanimous demand of all the political parties following the barbaric massacre of over a hundred school children in Peshawar last year. Death penalty is part of the criminal justice system for many countries and it is not prohibited by international law. In Pakistan, death penalty is reserved for the most serious crimes and it is imposed under due process of law and following the due principle of legality. Our courts are fully independent, and all legal avenues are exhausted before any sentence is carried out. The Juvenile Justice Ordinance protects rights of all minors who come in conflict with the law.
Mr. Chairman,
A major achievement for Pakistan this year was the creation of an independent and autonomous National Commission for Human Rights in accordance with Paris Principles. The Commission has been given wide powers to monitor human rights situation in the country, investigate cases of violations, assist victims, and make recommendations to the government. The Chairman and members of the Commission are appointed by a parliamentary committee and they are not answerable to Government. The Commission can summon witnesses, obtain documents, visit detention centers, review human rights laws and make national action plans for promotion of human rights in the country.
We are confident that the Commission would help and guide the Government in fulfilling its constitutional commitments and meeting its international obligations on human rights in the years to come.
I thank you.