December 25, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 1, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Judicial activism is of vital importance to protect the rights of refugees, women and children, said Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad here on Wednesday.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of a two-day orientation workshop on “International mechanisms for protection of human rights,” arranged for judicial officers by the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid.

The chief justice said the role of the judiciary was vital in ensuring that state met its obligations under domestic as well as international laws in respecting and protecting rights and freedom of individuals, especially those of refugees.

Stressing the need to evolve an impartial, analytical and diagnostic approach for solving the problem of human rights in the country, he said examples of discrimination and violation of human rights were rampant in Pakistan.

In our socio-legal structure, the judiciary has to play its role within the parameters of local legislation, but they still have to be given an enhanced insight into the relevant features of the international laws so as to play an active role for their necessary inculcation into the local system.

He said the role of lawyers’ community needed to be enhanced. They should have a very eloquent and broad-based analysis of domestic laws’ provisions in comparison with international conventions, particularly those which have been ratified by the government.