ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the government of Pakistan is committed to protecting and promoting human rights and will continue making efforts to safeguard freedom, liberty, dignity and self-esteem of every citizen of the state. He said Pakistan was a responsible state, fully cognisant of its international commitments and had ratified various conventions to uphold the supremacy of human rights. “Cognisant of the need to accord greater attention towards protection of vulnerable and marginalised segments of society, the government is endeavouring to put in place effective legal, economic and social frameworks,” he said in a message on the International Human Rights Day being observed across the globe on Sunday. The president said human rights as enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and adopted by the United Nations in 1948 were rooted in the basic principles of Islam. “Upholding human dignity, safeguarding human rights and ensuring human freedom and equality are fundamental principles of our religion,” he added. He said the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan guaranteed freedom to its citizens regardless of their caste, colour or creed. The president expressed his pleasure over celebration of the International Human Rights Day with the resolve to promote and protect human rights at all levels. He opined that the day was a reminder to the democratically conscious citizens to reiterate their commitment individually and collectively to make renewed efforts to promote a culture of tolerance, respect for human rights, diversity and pluralism. The president also commended the efforts of Ministry of Human Rights for its interventions with regard to protection and promotion of human rights in the country and called upon the relevant departments and organizations as well as each and every individual to come forward and play a role for the noble cause of human rights in the country. He also appreciated the United Nations for observing the day globally and paid homage to all those organisations and individuals, who were devoted to the cause of human rights, expressing hope that they would continue to pursue this important mission with renewed zeal and spirit. Separately, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has reiterated that Pakistan is fully alive to its national and international responsibilities to preserve the human rights. Pakistan stood resolute in upholding the core values and fundamental rights pertaining to the equality of all human beings, peaceful co-existence, respect for diversity and difference, and protection against discrimination in any form, as ordained by the religion and obligated by the constitution, he said in a message on the International Human Rights day being observed across the globe on Sunday. The prime minister said it was Islam that for the first time, incorporated human rights as an integral part of its code of law, thereby providing the necessary legal foundations for just and inclusive society. He said the International Human Rights Day was an occasion for the comity of nations to reaffirm its commitment to the protection of human rights and the promotion of human values across the globe in the true spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Proclaimed by the United Nations in 1948. The prime minister said in conformity with their beliefs and commitments, the government of Pakistan was under taking several important initiatives, including multi-dimensional legal reforms and the establishment of institutional mechanisms that would ensure the protection of human rights, especially in the case of marginalized and disadvantages societal groups. An autonomous National Commission for Human Rights had been established and the Action Plan for Human Rights prioritised the rights of women, children, minorities and persons with disabilities, he added. The prime minister said he would also like to avail the opportunity to appreciate the efforts made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the protection of human rights around the world.a “However, we must also understand that the apathetic denial and grim violations of even the very basic of human rights to the Palestinians, Kashmiris and Rohingyas continue to call in question the collective conscience of the international community.” Published in Daily Times, December 11th 2017.