Human rights forgotten in the election year: HRCP launches 2018 report Islamabad, 15 April 2019. At the launch of its flagship annual report, State of Human Rights in 2018, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has noted that, ‘in a year of general elections, it was inevitable perhaps that the progress and observation of human

Stop harassment of human rights activists and journalists Lahore, 13 April 2019. Following attempts to malign academic Dr Arfana Mallah and the FIR lodged against journalist Shahzeb Jillani, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its alarm at ‘the frequency with which human rights defenders and journalists are made the subject of

HRCP slams attack on Shia Hazara community Lahore, 12 April 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned today’s attack in Quetta, which has killed at least 20 people and injured about 48 others. The attack targeted the city’s Shia Hazara community, who live in ‘protected enclaves’ and – given the

‘Re-energise human rights discourse’: HRCP Islamabad, 10 April 2019. Concluding its national conference on human rights and democratic participation in Islamabad, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said that this is ‘an opportune time to re-energise the human rights discourse, given that intense political polarisation has overshadowed the human rights enterprise at

‘Inclusive democracy key to Pakistan’s integrity:’ HRCP Lahore, 7 April 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has issued the following statement on the conclusion of its 33rd Annual General Meeting: ‘HRCP notes with concern the state’s amendment of the requisites of participatory democracy and reversal to the concept of a majoritarian state. This trend must

Bill against forced conversions must be passed Lahore, 22 March 2019. After two minor Hindu girls in Ghotki were allegedly abducted and converted forcibly to Islam, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called on the Sindh Assembly to ‘take swift, serious measures to resurrect and pass the bill criminalising forced conversions.’ HRCP has

Kartarpur residents must be fairly compensated Lahore, 20 March 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its strong concern over the land acquisition being carried out to develop the Kartarpur Corridor. Following a fact-finding mission in the area, HRCP has said, that ‘while the development of the Kartarpur Corridor will help

Harris Khalique appointed HRCP secretary general Lahore, 15 March 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said it is ‘delighted to announce that Harris Khalique has been appointed secretary general of the organisation. ‘Mr Khalique is a leading poet and author, a University of Iowa Honorary Fellow in Writing and a recipient of

HRCP condemns murder of Afzal Kohistani 8 March 2019, Lahore. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the murder of Afzal Kohistani, who was gunned down in Abbottabad on 6 March. In a statement released today, HRCP has said: ‘It is highly likely that Mr Kohistani was murdered for his role in

Joint press statement on peace and human rights in South Asia Civil society organisations from across South Asia are deeply concerned about the recent tensions between Pakistan and India. We call on the Governments of the two countries to take immediate steps to further de-escalate the tension, to create an enabling environment for peace