Inspire Pakistan commemorated Human Rights Day 2025 with a national-level event here at a local hotel, bringing together senior government officials, UN representatives, human rights advocates, academics, and civil society leaders to reaffirm the country’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights.
The gathering opened with welcome remarks by Qaiser M. Siddiqui, CEO of Inspire Pakistan, who stressed the importance of collective action to safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly refugees, women, youth, and marginalized communities. He underscored that sustainable progress depends on strengthening institutional mechanisms and ensuring inclusive participation across all sectors of society.
Delivering the Guest of Honour’s address, Katarina Herneryd Yahya, Senior Advisor at UNHCR, highlighted the shared global responsibility to uphold equality, justice, and human dignity. She emphasized the essential need for strengthened protection of displaced and vulnerable populations in Pakistan and reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at enhancing human rights systems and ensuring that no individual is left behind.
Representing the Ministry of Human Rights, Abdul Sattar, Director General, reviewed Pakistan’s mandate to safeguard human rights and outlined ongoing initiatives to strengthen legal frameworks and protection mechanisms. He reiterated the government’s dedication to addressing rights violations and ensuring constitutional protections for all communities.
Renowned women’s rights activist Dr. Farzana Bari emphasized the recognition of women’s rights as fundamental human rights. She discussed the urgent need for gender justice, equal representation, and the removal of systemic barriers facing women across the country, calling for sustained advocacy and policy action to achieve meaningful empowerment.
Addressing the rights of minorities, Pirbhu Satyani, Member of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), highlighted the importance of promoting inclusion, addressing discrimination, and enhancing protection systems for minority groups and children. He reaffirmed the key role national institutions play in upholding equal rights for all citizens.
Dr Saira Abbasi, Senior Assistant Professor at Bahria University, spoke about the transformative role of women and youth as drivers of positive human rights change. She stressed that empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and platforms they need is essential to building a more just and equitable society.
Human rights and disability advocate Abia Akram called for greater focus on disability inclusion and equal access to opportunities. She highlighted the need to integrate persons with disabilities into policy planning, protection mechanisms, and community development, advocating for a rights-based approach to disability.
A representative of the Chief Commissioner Afghan Refugees (CCAR), Ministry of SAFRON, discussed Pakistan’s ongoing commitments to human rights within the refugee context. He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing tradition of hosting Afghan communities and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to ensure the safe and dignified return of refugees to their homeland.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to strengthen human rights protections, promote inclusive development, and work collectively toward a more equitable and rights-respecting future for all.