Daily Times

LAHORE: The Human Rights Day was observed on Friday with a pledge to ensure protection to fundamental rights of all and sundry.

Several events, including seminars and walks were held where situation of human rights was discussed as well as the solutions were recommended to the government for improving the situation of human rights. A rally was organised to mark the day by Rawadari Tehreek at the Lahore Press Club. Men, women and children belonging to the marginalised segments of the society including gypsy community, brick kiln workers, sanitary workers, transgender people, persons with disabilities and religious minorities participated in the rally.

Participants of the rally chanted slogans against the government for what they believed was the government’s failure in defending human rights of all citizens.

Speaking on the occasion, Centre for Human Rights Education- Pakistan Director and Rwadari Tehreek Chairman Samson Salamat said the Human Rights Day was a reminder for the government and the state institutions that the implementation of human rights standards and principles was a key to progress. They said protection of human rights should be the government’s top priority to make such a society where all citizens could be treated equally without any discrimination.

Samson said it was unfortunate that situation of human rights was getting worse day-by-day, which was a matter of grave concern, and the fundamental freedoms including the freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, association and freedom of religion and belief were under threat.

“The worst part of the situation is that the space for the civil society is shrinking day-by-day, which is not a healthy sign for our society because the civil society is an important entity to keep the question of people rights alive,” he said, adding: “We expect that the government shall turn its attention towards this deteriorating situation and make human rights protection and promotion a priority, especially of those, who are frequently deprived of their fundamental rights and freedoms or are working for the protection and promotion of human rights.

Rwadari Tehreek Lahore President Rizwan Gill said that it was the constitutional responsibility of the government and the state institutions to provide equal rights to all citizens without discrimination of cast, colour, creed, social status or any other recognition. “The government and the state institutions are duty-bound to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities and end all forms of discriminations from the society and ensure equal treatment, especially with the persons belonging to the religious minorities who are frequently attacked and persecuted,” Gill said.

Other prominent human rights activists including Emmanuel Khokhar, Abdullah Malik, Sabira Asmat, Komal Patreus, Iqra Baig, Pandi Bhaghat Lal Khokhar, Rukhsana Liaqat and Neeli Rana were also present.

Participants of the rally demanded that all forms of discriminations on the basis of religion, sect, social status or in any other form should be ended, all sorts of hate speech should be stopped and those responsible in spreading hatred and violence should be apprehend and dealt with according to the law.

They said the provincial commissions on minorities’ rights should be established through an act of parliament in consultation with relevant stakeholders to assess and address the issues of religious minorities in the country.

The Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all states and interested organisations to observe December 10 of each year as the Human Rights Day. This year, the Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights.