LAHORE: An award ceremony named after Asma Jahangir was held for those who have excelled in their work for human rights and their advocacy.

The awards were presented to Farida Shaheed, the director of Shirkat Gah, in women’s rights category; Peter Jacob, executive director of Centre for Social Justice, for minorities’ rights; and Aitzaz Ahsan for law.

Honouring the legacy of Asma Jahangir, the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) held the first ‘Asma Jahangir Awards’. They are scheduled to be held annually and bestowed in areas of minorities, women’s and law/lawyers’ rights, recognising the struggle of individuals to uphold the rights of people.

Joseph Francis, the CLAAS national director, announced the awards and said he was pleased to share that Asma Jahangir’s family had agreed to their establishment.

“Each year on Feb 12, the awards will be presented to people who have worked in these three fields. The awards honour Asma Jahangir’s struggle for rights of the people and would continue with the objective to appreciate and encourage rights’ advocates, especially youths, to continue their work for peoples’ rights,” he said.

Nominations for the awards, including the criteria, would be released in December each year and presented after a rigorous selection process by the committee, he said.

Prof Salima Hashmi presided over the awards ceremony. She appreciated the initiative and shared her thoughts. “Asma Jahangir was a strong advocate of rights and a courageous defender of marginalised communities in Pakistan. This award honours her struggle and achievements, and I hope that it will inspire the next generation of rights’ activist to realise their potential and continue Asma’s legacy.”

Asma’s daughter Munizae Jahangir also spoke at the ceremony, “My mother strongly believed in people’s rights and worked very hard to uphold them. We appreciate CLAAS for announcing an annual award in her name as a tribute to our mother and her work.”

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2018