Press release PECA bill curbs fundamental rights Lahore, 25 January 2025. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned by the passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the National Assembly. Given the state’s poor record on protecting freedom of digital expression, the bill, if it becomes law,

Press release HRCP report investigates Hindu migration from Sindh Karachi, 22 January 2025. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)’s fact-finding study, Exodus: Is the Hindu Community Leaving Sindh?, underscores the state’s failure to protect a vulnerable minority, with many Hindu families compelled to migrate not only in connection with faith-based violence, but also

Press release Civil society deplores ICT law curbing right to peaceful assembly Islamabad, 16 January 2025. At an advocacy meeting held earlier today, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) deplored the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 as a ‘draconian’ law. HRCP secretary-general Harris Khalique pointed out that domestic laws curbing freedom

Press release Human Rights Day: Civil, economic rights under heavy strain Lahore, 10 December 2024. On Human Rights Day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reminds the state that it must urgently realize the fundamental rights enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution, particularly those that have come under immense pressure in the last year, including

Press release Elite capture has worsened political empowerment of marginalized groups Islamabad, 21 November 2024. A conference organized by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) has called for greater political empowerment and electoral participation for marginalized groups, including women, transgender persons, religious minorities

Press release HRCP general body calls for consensus on civilian autonomy, climate justice and land rights Karachi, 17 November 2024. On concluding its 38th annual general meeting, the general body of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) draws urgent attention to deteriorating human rights and weakening democracy. It strongly opposes the proposed amendment

Press release HRCP calls for urgent action on Kurram crisis Islamabad, 7 November 2024. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) calls urgent attention to the situation in Kurram district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where prolonged tribal and sectarian conflict have led to scores of casualties and left hundreds injured. The alarming frequency of clashes between

Press release ATA amendment gross violation of right to due process, fair trial Lahore, 3 November 2024. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the recently introduced Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024, which will authorize the state to detain individuals for ‘inquiry’ for up to three months merely based on ‘credible

Press release No credible evidence to establish veracity of allegation of rape at Punjab College Lahore, 1 November 2024. A fact-finding mission conducted jointly by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and AGHS Legal Aid Cell has stated that in the absence of forensic evidence and credible testimonies, it is not possible to

Press release HRCP concerned about impact of 26th Amendment Lahore, 22 October 2024. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed strong reservations over certain aspects of the Constitution (Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Act 2024, which was passed into law on 21 October. Although the amendments are more tempered than those proposed in earlier drafts,