Public awareness: Campaign on human rights in the offing

Provincial Human Rights Commission to be set up

LAHORE: Minorities’ Affairs and Human Rights Minister Tahir Sandhu said on Thursday that consultations with civil society organisations and academics were being organised with regard to the establishment of the Provincial Human Rights Commission. 

Sandhu made the remarks at a conference on the need for organised efforts to address human rights organised by the department and the Asia Foundation.

The minister said a sum of Rs15 million had been allocated in the year’s budget to finance the organisation of a public awareness campaign regarding human rights. He said the campaign would be initiated in consultation with stakeholders across the spectrum. Sandhu said effective inspection of the campaign would be ensured.  He said human rights had constitutional sanction.

The minister called on civil society organisations to assist the government in safeguarding human rights. Sandhu said the curriculum was being revamped in view of the importance of human rights and communal harmony.  Provincial Secretary Bushra Iman said the awareness drive would commence from Lahore. She said all communities would be adequately represented in the campaign

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2015.