LAHORE: A reference for late human rights icon Asma Jahangir was organised by the South Asian Free Media Association on Monday at a local hotel.

The large hall was filled with people who had known Asma as a friend, activist and their counsel. Many lawyers were also present as well as around 70 farmers from Okara whose cases Asma had been handling.

“Asma had established and ran a lot of organisations, which made her a team leader, and an excellent one at that,” said veteran activist and journalist I.A. Rehman, who had been close to Asma for a very long time. “Not only did she support people, but also helped them stand on their own and fight for themselves.”

“She never needed any of these accolades that we are giving her today. But we must understand her legacy and think about how to incorporate her beliefs in our lives individually. What’s important is to always do the right thing, which was fighting against injustice and greed. She was the most secular person I have ever met and always pushed for democracy,” he added.

Justice Nasira Javed Iqbal said Asma had always been an inspiration to her. “She was bigger than all the words meant for her. I saw how she fought in courts. She treated all her clients with respect. Even her critics respected her. A political party that would criticise her had her fight their case,” she pointed out. “Today her students carry the same passion and ambition and this is her biggest victory.”

Journalist Jugnu Mohsin said Asma was her friend and biggest support in life. She recounted the time her husband, journalist Najam Sethi, was whisked away in 1999 by plainclothesmen in the middle of the night from their bedroom. As soon as they left, the first person she went to was Asma.

“In the middle of the night she comforted me, and assured me of taking up the case in court in the morning,” she said. Jugnu also recounted the 1983 women’s landmark protest at The Mall against Gen Zia and his black laws against women. “There was tear gas all around and I was scared. She held my hand and said, ‘We will end up crying either way, so let’s charge!’”

Asma’s daughter Sulema shared some personal memories of her mother. She started by thanking everyone who had attended the funeral. “My mother was a regular woman with no golden opportunities in life. But she worked hard for what she wanted. She got a second-hand car, would drop and pick us up from school, often take us to her office where we would do our homework while she dealt with cases.”

She further said her mother gave equal respect to everyone, whether it was a monarch or a peasant. Sulema, who is a lawyer in London, said the Saima Waheed case proved Asma was a progressive woman because the verdict ended up changing history.

Later, amid tears Sulema met with the Okara peasants who were present there.

Neelum Hussain from Women’s Action Forum (WAF) said Asma and her sister Hina were the first to come out and protest against Gen Zia’s anti-women laws. “They were the first to take up laws such as the Hudood Ordinance. Asma fought for a visually impaired woman who was raped and a woman who wanted to marry of her own will.”

Muna Baig, the director of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP); Farooq Tariq of the Awami Workers Party; Ehsan Wyne from Awami National Party; and Noor Ijaz from Asma’s legal aid firm AGHS also spoke among many others who read poems in tribute.

Imtiaz Alam, the reference organiser, said Asma was different because she was the bravest person, biggest fighter against dictatorship, martial law, sectarianism and injustices. “She was a solitary combatant,” he added. “Asma was a manifesto unto herself.”

At the end, the participants passed a reference in recognition of the great services Asma rendered for people. It stated: “With the untimely death of Asma Jahangir, one of the most distinguished champions of human rights and all the good causes in South Asia, Pakistan has lost a leading combatant for democracy and an uncompromising voice for the oppressed, maltreated and neglected sections of our society.”

It eulogised her principled stance on issues, recounted her unwavering struggle for a secular and inclusive Pakistan, services as a lawyer defending victims of violence, religious extremism, excesses of state and non-state actors and bonded labour. The reference also mentioned her hard work to build a vibrant civil society through organisations such as HRCP, WAF, AGHS and South Asians for Human Rights, as well as her services as a UN Rapporteur.

“This session of civil society of Lahore expresses its gratitude for the infinite valuable services she rendered for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and hopes her missions will be carried forward by her partners and younger generation with greater zeal and understanding,” it concluded.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2018