BRUSSELS: The European Institute of Asia Studies (EIAS) and Progressive Thought International (PTI) organised an event last week to pay tribute to the late human rights activist Asma Jahangir at EIAS auditorium.
A large number of Pakistanis and foreign dignitaries thronged the event to express love for Asma and expressed deep sorrow on her sudden demise.
The chief guests included Bangladeshi diplomat and Ambassador for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Brussels Ismat Jahan, Editor in Chief of MO Magazine Gie Goris, European External Action Service (EEAS) Policy Officer Raphael Warolin, peace activist and Belgian celebrity Marjan Lucas, Director of Europe and Geopolitics department in think tank Friends of Europe Shada Islam, senior journalist Khalid Hameed Farooqi and rights activist Shiraz Raj.
The speakers stated that Asma was indeed one of a few Pakistanis who single-handedly carved the history of the relatively young nation through their firm support for democracy and rule of law. They said that she stood firm against any dictators and vehemently worked for the equal rights of marginalised communities in the country.
They added that Asma had left a solid mark on the global fight against inequality as she remained a fierce and powerful voice for the disenfranchised, religious minorities, women, democracy and rights advocates.
Asma’s friends reminded that she was a voice of fury for the dictators and infringers of human rights in Pakistan and across the globe and participated in the campaigns to get justice for victims of persecution both inside Pakistan and abroad.
She also undertook various human rights missions for the United Nations, including as Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief in India, and her last post as United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran.
Asma’s friends mentioned that she would even spend a big chunk of her earnings and award money on humane causes such as protecting minorities and providing justice to the marginalised communities.
She was a cofounder first all-female law firm and an influential model in the legal professions. Asma was also among the founders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which Jahangir chaired; and she was the first woman to become president of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.
Over her lifetime, She received prestigious international awards such as Martin Ennal Award (1995), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1995), King Baudouin International Development Prize (2000), Millennium Peace Prize by UNIFEM (2001), Lisl and Leo Eitinger Prize (2002), Four Freedom Awards (2010), UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights (2010), North-South Prize by Council of Europe (2012), Stefanus Prize (2014) and Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize).
Published in Daily Times, April 2nd 2018.