Recognition: Promoting human rights an arduous task: Manto

“Despite what we write in legal documents, all of us sitting here know the truth,” says the lawyer.

LAHORE:

Lawyer Abid Hasan Manto said on Saturday that it was exceedingly difficult to promote human rights in Pakistan.

He was speaking at a ceremony organised by the Joint Action Committee Forum to honour Asma Jehangir, who was recently awarded the Right Livelihood Award.  Manto said there was still no agreement on whether women were human beings. “Despite what we write in legal documents, all of us sitting here know the truth,” he said.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Director IA Rehman said Jehangir was the face of human rights activism in the nation. He said she had worked selflessly in a sector where even good deeds were done for personal gain. Rehman said she had not earned a single penny from her human rights work. He said she had instead contributed to various human rights causes from her pocket.

Bishop Alexander John Malik praised Jehangir for her unflinching support of the Christian community. He said she was an inspiration for everyone. Poet Kishwar Naheed read a poem eulogising Jehangir. She said she had written such poems only about two people-Jehangir and Anti-Apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Jehangir dedicated the Swedish honour to all those who had collaborated with her for the promotion of human rights in Pakistan. She said the award belonged equally to everyone who had worked with her.

Scores of activists from the Bonded Labour Liberation Front had earlier welcomed Jehangir at the venue. The activists had come from Manga Mandi area to honour her.

Senator Afrasiab Khattak of the Awami National Party was also present on the occasion.

The honour, billed sometimes as the alternative Nobel Prize, is conferred on those who have offered viable and path-breaking solutions to the challenges confronting the world.

The Joint Action Committee Forum is a coalition of over 30 non-governmental organisations working towards various civil rights causes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2014.