International Human Rights Day: External interference, internal overstepping affect rights

President Mamnoon hands out awards to rights activists

ISLAMABAD: Extremism, interference by internal and external elements in affairs of others by crossing their prescribed limits violated freedoms and human rights in the country.

This was stated by President Mamnoon Hussain on Saturday at the Aiwan‑e‑Sadr on Saturday where the International Human Rights Day was marked.

While reiterating the resolve for standing up for someone’s right, the theme of this year’s Human Rights Day, he urged the international community to exercise care in formulating policies and that no step should be taken which may adversely affect rights of others.

Referring to the adverse situation of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir, President Mamnoon urged the international community to take notice of the gross rights violations by Indian forcers there.

In the context of Pakistan, President Mamnoon said it had emerged that extremism — which affected freedom and human rights — occurred when external forces or internal elements overstepped their limits.

However, the people of Pakistan did not support such extremist elements.

“The government and the people of Pakistan stand together in rejecting extremists,” he added.

“I believe that unless values of mutual respect and love are fostered in society, the tradition for respecting human rights will not take root,” he added.

He further noted that effective legislation had been passed in the country to protect of human rights including laws for education, child protection, honour killing, violence against women and respect and protection of religious rights of the people.

Minister for Human Rights Kamran Michael and Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf were also present during the ceremony.

The president also gave away awards among the notable personalities who had rendered valuable services in the realms of human rights, humanitarian and social work.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2016.