01 August 2004	Sunday	14 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

HARIPUR, July 31: Speakers at a workshop have stressed the need for the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its true spirit in the country.

Speaking at a three-day workshop organized by the Rural Development Project, that concluded here on Saturday, they observed that the citizens of Pakistan were being denied their basic rights guaranteed in the declaration since its introduction in 1948.

Over 60 social workers attended the workshop.

Democratic Commission for Human Development representative Sher Zaman Khan said judiciary in the country was not independent it faced pressure from the rulers. He said the institution had failed to play its role.

He over 60 per cent of children were deprived of their right to education. He said the dual system of education had divided the society into privileged and deprived sections.

Freedoms of expression, association, press and preaching were guaranteed by the constitution but the issue of their exercise was given importance only during election, he said.