{"id":5429,"date":"2020-04-30T19:06:51","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T19:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2021-09-30T19:07:39","modified_gmt":"2021-09-30T19:07:39","slug":"weakest-segments-of-society-invisible-unheard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/weakest-segments-of-society-invisible-unheard\/","title":{"rendered":"Weakest segments of society invisible, unheard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weakest segments of society invisible, unheard
\n<\/b>HRCP issues\u00a0State of Human Rights 2019<\/i>\u00a0annual report<\/p>\n

Islamabad\/Lahore, 30 April<\/i>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) notes that widespread social and economic marginalisation have left the weakest segments of society invisible and unheard. HRCP\u2019s honorary spokesperson I. A. Rehman has termed Pakistan\u2019s human rights record in 2019 \u2018greatly worrisome\u2019, adding that the ongoing global pandemic \u2018is likely to cast a long shadow on prospects for human rights.\u2019 On the release of its flagship annual report,\u00a0State of Human Rights in 2019<\/i>, HRCP\u2019s secretary-general Harris Khalique observed: \u2018Last year will be remembered for systematic curbs on political dissent, the chokehold on press freedom, and the grievous neglect of economic and social rights.\u2019 \u2018The 2019 report also offers standalone chapters on each federating unit and administered territories so that no area remains underreported or missed out,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

Pakistan has failed to protect its most vulnerable: reports of child labourers being sexually abused in mines surfaced in Balochistan, while news of young children being raped, murdered and dumped has become frighteningly common. Women continued to bear the brunt of society\u2019s fixation with \u2018honour\u2019, with Punjab accounting for the highest proportion of \u2018honour\u2019 crimes. Equally, Pakistan does not protect those to whom it has a duty of care: \u00a0prisoners in the country\u2019s sorely overpopulated jails remain relegated to subhuman level.<\/p>\n

Numerous journalists reported that it had become even more difficult to criticise state policy. Former HRCP chairperson Zohra Yusuf says that this, coupled with the erosion of social media spaces and a deliberate financial squeeze on the media, \u2018led to Pakistan\u2019s position slipping on the World Press Freedom Index.\u2019<\/p>\n

People continued to be reported \u2018missing\u2019 during the year. It is imperative that the government deliver on its commitment to criminalise enforced disappearances. Equally, the continued operation of internment centres cannot be justified on any grounds. HRCP director Farah Zia said: \u2018In the case of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa)\u2014both historically under-reported provinces\u2014the acknowledgement of real issues and their political resolution is vital if the state is serious about strengthening the federation.\u2019<\/p>\n

Religious minorities remained unable to enjoy the freedom of religion or belief guaranteed to them under the constitution. For many communities, this has meant the desecration of their sites of worship, the forced conversion of young women, and constant discrimination in access to employment.<\/p>\n

While Pakistan witnessed the first-ever conviction of a former military ruler for high treason, constitutional compliance remains a major cause for concern. For instance, Article 140-A has yet to be implemented effectively, given the prolonged delay in holding local body elections in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The restoration of student unions and space for trade unions to function remain cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Chairperson Dr Mehdi Hasan reaffirmed HRCP\u2019s distress over the gross violations of human rights committed in Indian-held Kashmir since August 2019 and the imminent fallout of the situation on regional peace and stability.<\/p>\n

On behalf of Dr Mehdi Hasan
\nChairperson<\/p>\n

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