Policy matters: ‘It’s a myth that human rights are only for the marginalised’

Civil society, human rights ministry discuss Pakistan’s first human rights policy document

KARACHI: Members of civil society organisations demanded that lawmaking for the provision of human rights of the vulnerable segments of society must be ensured.

Their demand was made during a seminar, ‘Formulation of Human Rights Policy Strategies with Civil Society groups’, which was jointly organized by the Ministry of human rights and Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) on Tuesday.

It was recommended that the safety and livelihood of the transgender population must be ensured in a draft document.



SHRC member Anis Haroon appreciated the efforts of civil society for formulating a human rights policy document for the first time in Pakistan. Interdepartmental linkages are the need of the hour for effective implementation of basic rights, she said, maintaining that this was only possible through the activism of civil society.

“It’s a myth that human rights are only for the marginalised. They are for the protection and promotion of all citizens and not for limited people,” claimed human rights activist Iqbal Detho.

“The civil rights organisations must also work with the government to implement the laws,” said Detho.

“All those vulnerable segments of society that face structural violence such as children, women, transgenders, the disabled and senior citizens are included in the draft document,” informed SPO legal consultant Khadija Ali.

“We can only play a certain role as civil society. We cannot implement human rights,” said Ali.

This entire effort is being carried out throughout Pakistan with the support of Magna Carta fund with the collaboration of federal and provincial human rights ministries, SPO programme specialist Raheema Panhwar told the participants of the seminar.

The document will be shared with legislators and standing committee on human rights at the provincial level for further process of approval.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2017.