Lahore, April 3: Ubiquitous militarisation of all sectors of civilian authority is damaging the democratic system and adversely affecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are being restricted in the name of security, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has stated.

A statement issued at the conclusion of the HRCP Executive Council and annual general meetings on Sunday said: “HRCP must voice its grave concern over what can only be described as omnipresent militarisation of the country, over all sectors of civilian institutions and authorities, which is seriously undermining the democratic system. It also has an undeniable negative impact on the rights of individuals and groups. At the risk of sounding repetitive, HRCP demands that civilian oversight of all military actions must be ensured without exception and progress should be shared with the people regularly.

“Freedom of speech and media, protest, movement and assembly are being violated and curbed on the pretext of ‘national security’ or ‘national interest’. Even expression of genuine apprehensions over development plans or commitments made by the government are being rubbished as being against ‘national interest’.

“In particular, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has acquired an aura of such official sanctity that any information sought on its details or airing reservations over its implementation are being denounced as acts of flagrant anti-nationalism. Smaller provinces and Gilgit Baltistan have voiced numerous reservations, including with regard to issues of CPEC’s impact and discriminatory application in various federating units of the country: these merit urgent consideration. HRCP also demands an immediate and thorough environment impact assessment of the CPEC project. The impact on the people being dislocated and the economic benefits to the local people should also be assessed.

“In Balochistan, development of the Gwadar port has deprived thousands of fishermen of their livelihood and shelter. The local population is intimidated when they express their concern over the development policy in Gwadar.

“In the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the security forces are reported to have taken over private property of the locals with impunity. Reports of the use of excessive force in some villages are harrowing, where no house has been left standing and the population has had to escape the onslaught.

“It is of utmost importance that the security forces are not given a carte blanche and their operations have strict oversight to prevent excesses and ensure accountability. All incidents of death in custody, the so-called encounters and killings by the security forces should be investigated by oversight committees that must also comprise recognised representatives of civil society institutions.

“Important aspects of the counter-terrorism strategy devised after the APS attack in December 2014 have not been implemented. There has been no progress on activating NACTA and undertaking police, judicial and madrassa reforms. There has not been any meaningful review of the curriculum so far. Action against hate speech remains a largely pick-and-choose affair.

“All allegations of torture should be investigated by judicial forums and judges should inspect prisoners once they are presented before them, in order to ensure that they do not suffer torture at the hands of the security forces.

“HRCP has serious reservations over the manner of holding elections on reserved seats for minorities and women. The present scheme of representation is unfair to those selected and the electorate that they theoretically represent. Parliamentarians should amend the law to devise a formula for special seats that is both representative in character and based on the choice of the electorate, rather than that of the leaders of the political parties.

“HRCP demands that discrimination against those living in FATA should come to an end without further delay. The jurisdiction of superior courts should be extended to FATA and its citizens should be able to secure their fundamental rights.

“HRCP condemns growing overt and covert restrictions and attacks on the news media and hopes and expects that media organisations and journalists would protect their professional integrity and independence, and resist all attempts aimed at manipulating the media.

“In the name of student unions, violent right-wing elements have been unleashed on the educational institutions, where they have been allowed monopoly while others are not given freedom of association. The student unions must be revived and violence in campuses curbed.

“The work environment has grown progressively insecure for human rights defenders, not least because of demonisation of civil society organisations and on account of failure to take very obvious corrective measures by the authorities. Civil society organisations in Pakistan today manage to operate not because of authorities’ action, but despite it. Besides new requirements for registration process the CSOs routinely face harassment, and threats.

“The continuing plight of internally displaced persons in the country has been all but forgotten. No efforts have been made to adopt a proactive policy or a long-term strategy to address the challenges associated with internal displacement.

“HRCP slams the inability of the authorities, at times despite prior knowledge, to ensure that women are not prevented from voting in elections. Asking women who dare not vote because of various threats and fears to move superior courts is a contradiction of expectations. The state should not shirk its obligations and must ensure that such blatant discrimination is effectively confronted without waiting for petitioners to come forward.

Last but not the least, HRCP demands that the government make the required resources available to the National Commission of Human Rights to enable it to do its work effectively. ”

Chairperson and Council members