PESHAWAR, April 18: Speakers at a seminar urged the civil society to raise its voice against the violation of civil and political rights in the country. The awareness level of people regarding protection of their rights should be enhanced, the speakers said, adding that torture in custody, forced disappearances and other human rights violations were on the rise in the country.

The day-long seminar on “strengthening democratic and electoral process in Pakistan” was organised by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) here on Wednesday.

SPO NWFP senior coordinator Ijaz Durrani informed the participants that a campaign had been launched in Swat and Dera Ismail Khan with the support of the UNDP and Election Commission of Pakistan in April last year to encourage people to take part in the electoral and political process. The project helped people, especially women, get their computerised national identity cards and register themselves in electoral lists.

Prof Sarfraz Khan of the Area Study Centre said the minorities were deprived of their right to become a president. “Many political movements in the history of Pakistan do not focus on human rights issues with the result that the situation of human rights is deteriorating day by day in the country,” he added.

Said Alam Mehsud of the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party demanded provincial autonomy and rights of the suppressed nations. He warned that the country could not survive without giving its people their due rights. The history of Pakistan speaks of the deprivation of rights to different nations, including Bengalis, Pukhtuns, Balochs and others.

NWFP additional advocate-general Esa Khan said the 1973 Constitution ensured that there should be no law which deprived a citizen of his basic right, adding that unfortunately institutions were not strengthened in the country and human rights were abused.“The only way is to create awareness among the general public of their civil, political and legal rights,” Mr Khan observed.

Aurat Foundation resident director Rukhshinda Naz informed the participants that despite so many rights and laws, women were being abused.

She said 17 Bloch nationalist leaders were on the Exit Control List; Ahmedis had been deprived of their rights to vote; cases of forced conversions had been reported in Rahimyar Khan and 38 Baloch and Saraiki websites were being controlled by the government.

Ms Naz deplored Pakistan stood at 145 on the human development index.