Fighting chance: HRCP demands free, fair elections
Says there is need to ensure an even playing field, without state intervention
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's (HRCP) chairperson, Zohra Yusuf. PHOTO: PPI
LAHORE:
Given the vicissitudes of Pakistan’s political situation, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demands that free and fair elections be held this year, said the organisation in a statement.
The statement was issued after HRCP’s 32nd annual general meeting at its office in Garden Town. In the statement, HRCP also highlighted the importance of ensuring an even playing field for all, without interference from any state agency.
Special efforts must be made to ensure that both women and religious minorities are able to participate in, and contest, the elections freely and without fear, pressure or intimidation. In this context, mobile polling stations could be a way of ensuring that people who might otherwise be unable to vote are able to exercise their fundamental right, the statement read.
The statement added that HRCP was perturbed at some proposing they roll back on the 18th Amendment and the 2009 National Finance Commission Award. Any move in this direction would threaten the integrity of the federation. The state needs to move towards a greater federation, stated the document.
Further, they voiced their concerns about the various enforced disappearances that have continued unabated in the past year. The impunity with which people have been whisked away, especially forthright civil society activists such as Raza Mahmood Khan, needs to be curbed immediately, the statement said. They proposed that the recommendations made by 2010 Judicial Commission for Missing Persons be implemented. The commission also voiced concerns about the growing exclusion of civil society from state affairs.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2018.
Given the vicissitudes of Pakistan’s political situation, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demands that free and fair elections be held this year, said the organisation in a statement.
The statement was issued after HRCP’s 32nd annual general meeting at its office in Garden Town. In the statement, HRCP also highlighted the importance of ensuring an even playing field for all, without interference from any state agency.
Special efforts must be made to ensure that both women and religious minorities are able to participate in, and contest, the elections freely and without fear, pressure or intimidation. In this context, mobile polling stations could be a way of ensuring that people who might otherwise be unable to vote are able to exercise their fundamental right, the statement read.
The statement added that HRCP was perturbed at some proposing they roll back on the 18th Amendment and the 2009 National Finance Commission Award. Any move in this direction would threaten the integrity of the federation. The state needs to move towards a greater federation, stated the document.
Further, they voiced their concerns about the various enforced disappearances that have continued unabated in the past year. The impunity with which people have been whisked away, especially forthright civil society activists such as Raza Mahmood Khan, needs to be curbed immediately, the statement said. They proposed that the recommendations made by 2010 Judicial Commission for Missing Persons be implemented. The commission also voiced concerns about the growing exclusion of civil society from state affairs.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2018.