Worsening situation: Human rights ministry acquiesces to draft ‘human rights policy’

Experts question timing as mainstream political parties busy in electioneering.

ISLAMABAD:

At a time when mainstream political parties are busy in electioneering, the Ministry of Human Rights has acquiesced to draft a “National Human Rights Policy Framework” in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO).

At a two-day national conference on human rights on Wednesday, experts gathered to ponder over drafting the policy framework highlighting human rights issues and challenges.

However, some experts have raised questions saying the stakeholders might be addressing the issue at a wrong time.

While talking to The Express Tribune, human rights activist, Dr Rakshanda Parveen said, “I fail to understand why this is happening in the interim period. We do need a policy, I am not against it, but why now?” she questioned. According to Parveen the human rights situation in Pakistan did not paint a pretty picture.

“There a difference between mainstreaming and collective thought. The coming together of the stakeholders all of a sudden to draft a policy for something which is serious as well as challenging was spontaneous.”

A representative of the SPO told The Express Tribune that Pakistan did not have any human rights policy. He said that the consultative process will draft a policy and move on to legislation. “In Pakistan bills are being enacted without policies. So here we are trying to create one,” he said. The representative said that the first step of the policy construction may take time but it was a start.

Around 60 specialists, leaders, activists and advocates of human rights from government and non-government organisations said that the situation of human rights in Pakistan remained unsatisfactory and there was a dire need to improve the policy framework.

During the discussion on the issue, it was resolved that the draft of national human rights policy framework, the first of its kind, shall be prepared on the basis of the recommendations of the stakeholders.

The experts stated that despite the presence of pro-active judiciary, vibrant media and emerging civil society the situation was not improving.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2013.