Other opportunities

Call for pitches for human rights features

HRCP invites narrative pitches from investigative reporters, legal analysts and human rights practitioners that explore rights-based problems either (a) through ‘untold’ human interest stories or (b) in the form of detailed but easily accessible explainers. Specifically, we are looking for pitches that offer fresh, nonpartisan perspectives on a clearly defined human rights concern in a way that encourages healthy debate but tackles its subject with nuance and sensitivity.

HRCP will disseminate all commissioned features either through print or digital news outlets that are prepared to accept the feature for publication or through its own website, social media platforms and monthly newsletter Jehd-e-Haq.

Guidelines

  • Your proposed feature must not have been published or covered extensively elsewhere, unless it offers a clear new angle or development.
  • The feature may be based anywhere in Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
  • You may choose to write the feature in English or Urdu. Please specify accordingly.
  • The proposed feature should be no longer than 2,500 words and should therefore remain as focused as possible.

How to apply

Please send the following to submissions@hrcp-web.org with the subject title ‘Feature pitch’:

  1. A short resume listing up to five recent news features that you have had published, with corresponding weblinks (no longer than one page).
  2. A compelling pitch (no longer than 250 words) with a prospective title, explaining what you wish to write about and why it matters from a human rights perspective. Indicate how you plan to research your feature (such as the nature of any fieldwork if applicable).
  3. Indicate the total budget involved, including the cost of any local travel.

Please note that incomplete applications or pitches that exceed the word count may not be considered.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of submitting a pitch, please assume that we will not be able to commission the feature and you are free to submit your pitch elsewhere.

Posted 12 February 2025.