KARACHI: Civil society organisations and rights activists on Sunday called upon all major political parties to respect and ensure minimum human rights standards and recommendations and demands set forth in the civil society’s charter of demands concerning human rights for the upcoming elections.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club, representatives of various civil society organisations, trade unions, business groups, intellectuals and professional organisations such as bar councils, medical staffs, journalist unions released a charter.

They said the state of Pakistan was committed and responsible for the well-being and progress of its people to be achieved through and with regard to the promises made in the Constitution as well as its international obligations, including the UN treaties, SDGs, GSP+ and similar other international obligations.

Policy of branding rights activists as foreign agents is counterproductive

“We are committed to addressing and upholding the supremacy of law, fundamental rights and dignity of all citizens,” a joint declaration said.

Support for political process

They said the civil society groups presented the charter of demands reiterating their resolve to support the political process and system as prerequisites for democratic and accountable and inclusive governance responsive enough towards recognising, respecting, protecting and fulfilling the universally acknowledged rights of the people of Pakistan.

The charter demanded empowering women; ensuring protection and safety of children; countering the youth bulge; providing accessible and quality education; ensuring workers’ rights, ensuring the rights of religious minorities; guaranteeing the rights of transgender persons and enabling spaces for civic actions.

The charter asked the political parties to pledge that local laws would be amended according to UN obligations Pakistan had agreed to in consonance with the UN declaration of human rights defenders, and implement the measures to ensure safety and security of the defenders in the country.

They underlined the need to ensure active dialogue with civil society and citizens at large to ensure policy formulation at all levels was participatory and governance was effective.

They welcomed the progress regarding developments for the Fata reforms saying the process of reforms and policy implementation should be based in accordance with the feedback of the people of Fata.

New body to tackle enforced disappearance demanded

The charter was wary of the increasing number of enforced disappearances and the lack of action by the existing commission and demanded a new independent commission to tackle the issue; or the existing commission should be revamped with the inclusion of investigation experts.

It suggested the political parties and the state at large to view civil society members as counterparts in the struggle to overcome the shared challenges faced by the country.

“The current policy of opposition towards the civil society members and branding members as foreign agents is counterproductive for the country as a whole.”

They said the country had a large portion of population on the internally displaced person (IDP) status; the government should have a national policy on IDPs by recognising the UN guiding principles for IDPs, including Pinheiro Principles, to ensure non-discrimination and their resettlement.

The civil society organisations, which endorsed the charter, included Women in Struggle for Empowerment, South Asia Partnership-Pakistan, Blue Veins, Pakistan Coalition for Education, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Aurat Foundation, Centre for Social Justice, NOW Communities, Pakistan Fisher-Folk Forum, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Legal Aid and Awareness Services, Khwendo Kor, Noor Education Trust, SPARC, Takra Qabailee Khwendy, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, National Council for Minority Rights and Human Rights Committee of Pakistan.

The charter has been handed to the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf , Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, PML-Functional, PML-Q, Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Jamaat-i-Islami and Qaumi Watan Party.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2018