B M Kutty: Driven by Passion Lahore, 27 August 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) notes with sorrow the loss of veteran trade unionist, political activist and writer Biyyothil Mohyuddin Kutty, who passed away in Karachi on 25 August. At a reference held in memory of Mr B M Kutty at HRCP’s

Children, mine workers still vulnerable in Balochistan in 2018 Quetta, 22 August 2019. At the provincial launch of its flagship annual report, State of Human Rights in 2018, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) notes that, in a year of general elections, it was perhaps inevitable that the progress and observation of human rights

Escalating LOC tension harms citizens on both sides Lahore, 5 August. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply alarmed at the decision by the Indian government to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. The increased deployment of troops and curfew-like restrictions on citizens are ominous signs of what may come.

NOC requirement for missing persons camps, unjust Quetta/Lahore, 30 July. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has learnt that civil society organisations such as Voice of Baloch Missing Persons now require a no-objection certificate (NOC) to hold missing persons camps. Restricting people’s right to protest peacefully in this manner is grossly unfair. Such

Erstwhile FATA elections a milestone Lahore, 22 July. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its overall satisfaction with the provincial elections conducted in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). That these elections were held as planned – despite the brief delay – is a milestone for the people of western

Allegations of Rana Sanaullah being ill-treated in jail Lahore, 16 July. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned over the grave allegations it has received regarding senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s treatment in detention. HRCP was approached by his wife, Nabila Sanaullah, who claims that her husband, a diabetes and blood

Threats to Gulalai Ismail’s family must stop  Lahore, 5 July. HRCP is seriously concerned over reports that activist Gulalai Ismail’s family has been threatened, allegedly by state agencies, in connection with her work as a human rights defender. HRCP urges the state to investigate the recent raid on Ms Ismail’s house in Islamabad, reportedly

HRCP censures higher education budget cuts Lahore, June 26. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is concerned that the government’s bid to reduce budgetary expenditure on higher education through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) will affect both existing and prospective students, especially those from poorer vulnerable or marginalised groups. The state has a

HRCP mission to KP Friday, 21 June. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) will commence a fact-finding mission from Saturday 22 June 2019, to study the pace and impact of the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Agencies (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The mission team will, in particular, aim to observe and

The long wait for justice: Jillani judgement conference Islamabad, 19 June. Observing the fifth anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court judgement on the protection of religious minorities’ rights, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) held a conference with other civil society organisations to reiterate the importance of implementing the judgement. The conference, which