Daily Times

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has drawn the attention of the newly-elected Prime Minister to a wide-ranging agenda that deserves the immediate and full consideration of his cabinet.

Not least because the global watchdog has outlined a preliminary roadmap to redress the historic rights deficit here in Pakistan, covering: freedom of expression; freedom of religious belief; violence against women and girls; access to education; outlawing the death penalty; and counter-terrorism. Indeed, we would like to remind Mr Khan that the country is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). And that the Pakistan Constitution guarantees a number of fundamental citizenry safeguards.

To be sure, Kaptaan and his team have some hard work ahead of them if they are to realise the dream of Naya Pakistan for all.  The starting point of which must be the protection of rights for everyone. Indeed, the benchmark for any state with pretensions of being a liberal and tolerant democracy is inherently tied up with the treatment of minorities.

In the current global climate where all eyes are fixed on the potential execution of a woman human rights defender in Saudi Arabia — it becomes an inconvenience to recall that Pakistan’s Asia Bibi risks being the first woman in this country to face the death penalty for alleged blasphemy. Towards this end, HRW has urged the Khan government to amend the relevant laws as first step towards ultimate repeal; as well as doing away with the ban on the Ahmadi right to religious practice. Sadly, the breathing space has been co-opted by the violent religious right to such a dangerous extent that even considering such moves is to invite bloody and murderous consequences. Yet to maintain the status quo is to sacrifice the most vulnerable. Thus the new set-up has the next five years to change the narrative and initiate dialogue on both these fronts. What cannot be repeated is a situation whereby a sitting MPA launches uninterrupted an anti-Ahmadi tirade on the floor of the National Assembly.

Linked to this is violence against women and girls. Given that those belonging to minority backgrounds are doubly prone to abuse; including forced conversion. Yet even when discounting this double burden of oppression, it becomes clear that Pakistan is not a safe country for women.  Child marriage is a concern. As is domestic abuse and so-called honour killings. What is therefore needed is for the entire political leadership to lead by example. This must begin with ending unwholesome tendencies to police the clothes and behaviour of women supporters belonging to rival parties. Similarly, the pitting of notions of western feminism against of those of the East does no one any good; least of all women themselves. The point is that the new regime, including the opposition, must work hard to help women reclaim the public space in terms of not just the physical realm but also when it comes to the law and general red tape. It is not sufficient for parties to have separate women’s wings. All men lawmakers must prove themselves to be worthy allies.

For the legacy of Naya Pakistan will be found in a gendered approach to rights that is equally cognisant of the burden too long borne by minorities. We believe the PTI government ‘Khan’ achieve this if it has the will.  *

Published in Daily Times, August 28^th 2018.