June 26, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 21, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 25: United Nations human rights chief Louis Arbour on Wednesday urged the government to ensure independence of the judiciary and fundamental freedoms, and address other human rights concerns.

Ms Arbour met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and deliberated upon a host of issues, with special emphasis on the reinstatement of the deposed judges and independence of the judiciary.

The UN Human Rights Council had earlier this month called for reinstatement of the deposed members of the judiciary and taking measures for re-establishing an independent judiciary, including institution of strict rules and a clear mechanism of appointment and dismissal of judges.

Ms Arbour asked Pakistan to end discrimination and all forms of violence against women, promote the rights of children, end child abuse, remove restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and amend legislation discriminating against minorities.

Sources said she touched upon the issue of illegal detentions and abuse by security agencies, saying the government’s security apparatus should refrain from detentions that contravened international standards for due process.

The human rights commissioner underlined the need for ensuring fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

She asked the government to use its influence in multilateral forums to strengthen the human rights dimension of development.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said the government remained committed to the reinstatement of the judges and it had a firm belief in the independence of the judiciary.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to improving the situation of all vulnerable sections of the society, including women, children and the minorities.

He said the Pakistan People’s Party government would address the issues of ‘disappearances’, torture and illegal detention.

Mr Qureshi underscored the government’s resolve to take all necessary political and security measures to improve the situation along the Afghan border.

The UN human rights high commissioner also met representatives of lawyers, human rights activists and non-governmental organisations to assess the human rights situation in the country and discuss with them issues pertaining to reinstatement of the deposed judges and independence of the judiciary.

The lawyers’ representatives said the constitutional package proposed by the government was an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary and make it subordinate to the executive.

They said the package envisaged withdrawal of Article 184(3) that gave the apex court original jurisdiction with regard to petitions of public importance, which was unacceptable to them.

They told Ms Arbour that there could be no compromise on constitutional matters and there could be no concept of an independent judiciary without reinstatement of the deposed judges.