Reinstate chair PCSW The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is deeply concerned at the way Fauzia Viqar, chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), has been removed summarily from her position by the Government of Punjab. HRCP calls for an immediate withdrawal of the notification and reinstatement of Ms

Protect children in a brutal society Lahore, 21 May 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said that it is ‘appalled to learn that ten-year-old Farishta, who disappeared from her home on 15 May in Islamabad, was found dead earlier today, allegedly raped and murdered. There is a chilling resemblance to the

Protesting against enforced disappearances is not a crime Lahore, 10 May 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has said that ‘the recent sit-in by the Shia Missing Persons Relatives Committee in hopes of finding out what has happened to their family members has not produced a satisfactory response on the part of

HRCP condemns Ormara killings Lahore, 19 April 2019. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the brutal murder of at least 14 people near Ormara, Balochistan – including 11 security personnel – who were shot dead by gunmen while traveling from Karachi to Gwadar. HRCP has said that it is ‘shocked at the calculated

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