Freedom of expression: Policy formulation urged to ensure freedom of expression

Speakers say human rights’ issue not government priority

ISLAMABAD: Participants of a conference have called for formulation of policy to ensure freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution.

They also demanded that human rights treaties signed and ratified by Pakistan should be brought into practice to make the country a true welfare state.

The conference on international covenant on civil and political rights and dignity of rights was jointly organised by Sojhla for Social Change and the South Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-PK).

The discussion was mainly focused on articles 19 and 20 that address the dignity of rights in the context of civil and political rights.

Dr Yahya Ahmed of the National Commission for Human Rights underscored the failure of the state to acknowledge the significance of the constitution, which had repeatedly been trampled.

He spoke about the dichotomy of the ruling elite, who by sheer economic control, continue to increase their assets, while depriving the common man of their rights.

“There is no policy for educating people about their rights. No social agenda is found in most of the manifestos of the political parties,” Dr Ahmed said.

Muhammad Rafiq of the Democracy Report International stated that the issue of human rights was not a priority for the government adding that the country had waited long to ratify the international covenants on rights, which were delayed to achieve trade facilities, sidelining the issue of human rights.

“We have to analyse these issues, even the political rights are not included in most of the action plans made at the national level,” he said.

Shabnam Rasheed of the SAP-PK observed that the constitution was a social contract between citizens and the state, and it was obligatory upon the state to guarantee rights and human security to its citizens.

“But our state is ignorant, which has led to the development of a culture of terror and extremism,” she said, adding that where there was no justice, there was violence and terrorism and the dignity of rights were being violated.

Farina Gul, a social worker, said that people were deprived of their rights and the state was violating those rights.

Amjad Nazeer, a researcher, spoke on human rights, law and political rights and related the issue of freedom of expression in the context of Pakistan’s present scenario.

He said that situation had created a large space for terrorists and extremists.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2016.