PESHAWAR, Oct 11: Amnesty International has expressed grief over the impact of Saturday’s earthquake on Pakistan and India and expressed solidarity with people struggling to respond to the crisis.

In a press statement issued here, Amnesty extended its condolences to the bereaved and sympathies to those still searching for their loved ones and to all those who have had their lives torn apart.

Amnesty said that past emergencies like the December 2004 tsunami had amply shown why human rights protection must be placed at the centre of the relief effort right from the start. This includes adherence to the principle of non-discrimination in aid provision and principles guiding protection of human rights in situations of internal displacement.

The organisation called on all those involved in the relief effort to respect international human rights norms. All assistance should be provided on the basis of need, without discrimination based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political and other opinion, national and social origin, property, birth or other status of recipients.

Amnesty called for the protection of those with specific needs, including children, people with disabilities and women in vulnerable situations.

Thousands of the dead and injured are schoolchildren. Amnesty said it was concerned about the welfare of the surviving children in the affected areas.

Human rights are most in jeopardy in situations of crisis and emergency. It is, therefore, crucial for governments and other agencies to recognise and support the central role of human rights defenders, including those engaged in humanitarian work and relief and reconstruction efforts.