Daily Times

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday urged the government to take more interest in protecting the citizens’ rights.

A statement issued at the conclusion of the HRCP Council and annual general meetings (AGM) stressed the need to address several concerns on priority. It stated, “HRCP is deeply concerned over the increasing security-centric nature of the state, which is leading to multiple human rights violations and concerns.”

It said cases of enforced disappearance pending with the government-constituted commission of inquiry do not seem to be going anywhere, adding that the commission seems helpless and ineffective in either locating and freeing victims of disappearance or ending absolute impunity for the perpetrators.

“Many cases of disappearance are even now not reported to it for want of confidence in it,” the commission stated.

HRCP strongly urged the government to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and also sign the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). It also stressed that international human rights treaties that Pakistan has already ratified must be properly implemented. “Women, members of religious minorities and children continue to be vulnerable to violence. Efforts to alleviate their suffering must not remain reactive only,” the commission concluded.