Dr Shireen Mazari delivers sharp rebuke to Human Rights Watch for 'selective oversight'
Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari on Tuesday issued an acerbic rebuke to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) for writing to Prime Minister Imran Khan and asking him to address "serious human rights challenges" faced by Pakistan.
In a letter made public on Monday, HRW Asia Director Brad Adams had asked Prime Minister Imran Khan to make human rights a "key focus" of his government.
The letter urged the government to begin by reversing "abusive laws and policies" and demonstrating "genuine commitment to the rule of law and equal justice".
The HRW wants the government to focus on six key areas: "These are freedom of expression and attacks on civil society; freedom of religion and belief; violence against women and girls; access to education; restoring moratorium on death penalty; and terrorism and counter-terrorism abuses."
In response to the letter, Dr Mazari stated that "the prime minister and the government are committed to ensuring the human rights guaranteed to all Pakistani citizens under the Constitution."
"[...] We are well aware of the need to effectively enforce the laws regarding the enforcement of the human rights of all our citizens as well as the need to bring our national laws in alignment with our international legal commitments through the international treaties we have ratified. Our government is committed to ensuring the fulfillment of all our international obligations," the minister wrote.
The human rights minister said the government, therefore, does "not need to be informed or reminded of our human rights agenda."
She went on to ask that since the HRW claims to monitor human rights violations in over 90 countries, "I hope that would include the massive human rights violations being carried out as a matter of state policy by India in Indian Occupied Kashmir and by Israel in Palestine."
"I may have missed your monitoring reports on these, so would appreciate if you could refresh my memory," she retorted.
She added that she hoped the HRW will also take up the matter of human rights violations "by some European states against their Muslim citizens in the form of curtailing their rights to practice their religion freely and in the form of abuse of Islam and its Prophet [Muhammad] (Peace be upon him), in direct contravention of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms."
The human rights minister also said that she would like to be informed on how the NGO is "ensuring the rights of Muslim citizens to have their mosques and be able to dress and practice their religion freely and without ridicule in European states", which have seen an upsurge of xenophobia in recent years.
Dr Mazari signed off by saying that the government would always welcome positive suggestions, but "an NGO's institutional credibility will rest on its commitment to ensure human rights across the globe and not just in selective states."
Comments (183) Closed
What about Baluchistan
Naya Pakistan"I hope ....state policy by India in Indian Occupied Kashmir and by Israel in Palestine",but old song.Try some new rhetoric nobody cares
excellent
Will Shireen Mazari also not be selective in her concern over human rights violation, taking notice of a dragged women and totally ignoring a torched mosque .
Wellsaid Dr shireen Mazari
What a perfect and bold response!!! Europe and USA has to change their highhanded approach towards Pakistan since Pakistan is ruled by uncompromised IK and its competent team.
Well said !!!
Very good.
Wow!
Very well said.
Excellent riposte Madam Minister!
What about HR violations against Rohingya Muslims.
Good job, Dr Mazari.
GREAT.
excellent reply... u spoke on behalf of all the muslims in the world... keep it up !!
Very well responded
Fix your home before you rebuke others.
Pakistan need a strong PM and his ministers to highlight human rights issues across the world, and not just selecting a few countries. What about human rights violations in Kashmir, Palestine, Rongiha and other part of the world and why HRW are not serious and write to their PM's.
Very good response by Dr. Mazari.
Dr Mazari has raised valid objections that should be clarified by HRW. But the points raised in HRW's report are also valid and there's nothing wrong about reminding a govt. about its responsibility towards its citizen.
mashallah what a reply
that's how it should be done!
Excellent and befitting response. However, the concerns raised shouldn't be ignored either. Pakistan is in need of reforms to prevent something like Mashal Khan case from happening again.
Bravo Ms Mazari. We have high expectations from you!
Yea that's right good job Shireen Mazari. Police shooting unarmed motorists and blacks in USA deserves a look and so does the pervasive Caste System in India a human rights violations too.
Perfect response Dr. Mazari.
Tu Quoque - a logical fallacy. This does not mean that issues stated by HRW regarding Pakistan are wrong when you try to show their hypocrisy on other issues.
Take it easy,Dr.MAZARI,
Kudos
Awesome reply
IK should make a separate department for children. In all provinces department of child protection. These departments responsible for childern and mothers welfare in all proviences. I don't see this human rights department will help common people.
Very well responded !!!
Excellent response by Dr. Mazari. NGOs must stop exploiting the selective countries.
Ethe rakh sou! Excellent response, looks like first time we have a credible competent govt who can fairly address and negotiate with the rest of the world.
Not a good sign. She should be worrying about her own brief and not trying to prove Pakistan has a 'better' human rights record than x or y country. And incidentally, Dr. Mazari, HRW documents abuses in Israel-Palestine extensively, which is why the Israeli government has been trying to expel its country representative:
Bravo
Lovely.
Brilliant
UIGURS missing in the list
Can anyone remind her of chinese atrocities on Muslims in xinjiang province
Bravo
When all praise and back patting of the honourable lady member and minister has ended, will someone please raise their voices against human rights violations in the country? The HRW may have wronged by choosing Pakistan as its only target, but the fact that in our country such rights are continuously abused remains to be addressed immediately. If the persons involved are guilty of any crimes, the Pakistani courts are alive and working to address any fouls that occur from and by any one.
Brilliant response and very honest too!
Human right commission has very validly pointed out about freedom of expression and counter terrorism which Shireem and PTI for obvious reasons dont want to resolve. Its not good to keepnyour eyes closed while pointing finger at others as to also warch them. Miss shireen its not opposition, you must now act and ensure human rights violations are not carries out anymore
Create a department of child and woman protection and give them highest powers. Follow few steps. 1. Give them policing power. 2. NGOS registration via this department. 3. No politicians post with in department. 4. Totaly independent without any influence of any government. 5. A special court for children and women's.
Finances issue. Every family deposit 1000 monthly to this department so this department can survive and special portion in Annually budget. If your kids, daughters, sisters and mothers have protection so there is no harm doing it.
Well done! Now you're talking...
Well done!
She also had to include China for their discriminating laws against Chinese Muslims.
Brilliant - HRW has lost credibility - enough lecturing from these biased organizations.
There you go HRW, now stop poking your nose into Pakistan and start working for Palestine and IoK.
Well said and a befitting response. But it doesn't mean that we should be blind to the human rights violations in our country. We need to ensure that the rights of all are protected in our country and no human rights are violated.
BRAVO!
I can't believe I have just read response from our minister!
Also highlight the Kashmir issue please
Dr. Shireen sounds like she is defending the current status of Human rights in Pakistan. We expect PTI to change the current situation not defend it. Don't point to other countries that are worse than you, look up to the ones who are better and try to improve ourselves.
Good response. I wish Mazari could also have included the human and labor abuses in the Gulf countries.
HRW also needs to watch gravest human rights violations in Yemen by coalition of saudi/UAE/US/UK forces especially targeting children schools and hospitals
Mazari's logic: Leave the problems in our country, look at the problems in other countries.
Can you please by nice and acknowledge the human right abuses in Pakistan and work to empower every segment of population?
NGOs have been restricted in several countries due to the fear of espionage on behalf of other countries. I believe Pakistan should make a similar approach. NGOs have perhaps been most damaging to our international reputation by highlighting only negative things. Dr. Afridi working for CIA is such an example.
Please also raise violations against barbaric treatment of uyghur muslims by China in Xinjiang. Why are you quiet?
What a Reply, i am so happy to read this. Rest assured they wont remind you of your HR responsibilities at least till the time this govt. is in power.
Pakistanis who have never left homeland have no idea what human rights, raceism, minority, tolerance, non violent protests, freedom of responsible speech are. If someone points to your mistake recognition is first step to correction, forcefully directing them to look other ways is self deceit. Lying to yourself is hard, once you cross this hurdle only path is down the hill.
A new Pakistan with educated, capable, self confidant, honest and democratically elected government & ministers will never compromise on Pakistan. These NGOs are deliberately ignoring HR violations in Kashmir and Palestine. Government should ban a couple of these (like Russia and even India and Israel did) who brought bad name to our country.
seriously!!! this was long due. what an amazing response mam!!!
Yes! Dr Mazari has entered the building!
Pakistanis have been waiting decades to hear this kind of retort to the condescending double standards of these smug organisations. When HRW has directed some of its moralising towards the US for its hideous treatment of Muslims both at home and abroad, or towards Hindustan for its inhuman attitude towards all non-Brahmins, maybe it will gain some semblance of credibility. Until then, please cry your river elsewhere.
Hasan
@Tiap Akchu Do you want our government to highlight Chinese abuses in Xinjiang/ Eastern-Turkistan in media which would damage our relations with Bejing for good? A better approach would be to it down with our partners in Beijing and discuss this in private government-to-government.
Jeeway Bravo !!
Good job. That is the way to go after HRW. I am pleased to read her reply and work she is doing. Keep up the good work.
it is the difference between a matric pass minister and and an educated minister.
No doubt a very competent reply. But below I can see some negative-seekers only seeking criticism and abuse. Let the new government get settled and pass a few months, then can we start talking about them. The letter by an NGO to the PM looks like a direction by the master to a slave. Very right retorted by the Minister.
Very well said and putting into the perspective. Finally we have qualified people who can respond eloquently and responsibly for such matters.
Good reply from shireen mazari, hats off
Very well said. Keep up the good work and this is how it should be.
Perfect response to such hypocritical HRW NGOs.
Great response madam
An usual Empty rhetoric....talk less and do more.
Good response from Ms. Mazari. At home the government should look into the missing citizens from Baluchistan and FATA area. She missed to mention the bombing of innocent Yemenis by Arabian forces and Sinkiang and Chechnya.
Very disappointing. Try to answer thier concerns rather then beating about the bush. HRW is a very respected organization.
Well said Dr Mazari. Hypocrisy of the West is evident everywhere. They’re quick to teach ‘civility’ to developing world while closer to home, they’re blind to their own shortcomings.
Way to go Doc. Excellent response to these so called Human Right Commission.
All Indians are welcome to come visit Baluchistan. In return let Pakistanis visit Jammu Kashmir which I guarantee none of the Indian can offer this so stop making this non existing Baluchistan comments and look inside India where Muslims and Sikhs are looking for freedom. Dr. Shirren Mazari did the great job by replying in her reply.
Human rights are pretty abysmal in Pakistan. Dr. Shireen Mazari shouldn’t become paranoid about such criticism. She’d be much better off addressing them — proactive rather than reactive
HRW is a respected organization worldwide and they do speak out against human rights violation s anywhere.Argumentative exchange of letters with them not a good idea. Is there unrestricted freedom of expression here? Look around you, this post itself will probably not be printed.
Dear minister, please take this in a good spirit and try to improve the needed areas where the country has major gaps in human rights.
@Reality Bites Exactly. I am really disappointed at the minister's reaction as if she was in Nawaz government. Make require changes and make Pakistan a fort of justice and humanity.
Great stuff ... we can be as terrible as we want. As long as we can argue there’s someone or something worse out there, no need to improve ourselves.
Well balanced statement. How come Kashmir and Rohyngias are ignored by these bodies.
unfortunately, most of these western NGOs are fronts used to disillusion people and prepare grounds for USA and foreign countries to invade these countries. NGOs have actively spied on local governments, participated in anti-state activities and have been involved in rape and sexual exploitation of minors. Oxfam is in the news everyday because of rape and sexual exploitation of minors in drought or war stricken nations. In Pakistan other NGOs have acted as breeding grounds for espionage. In Afghanistan they have been used to spread other religions especially amongst poor in return for offering food. These organizations are not as innocent as they look. Dr Shireen is right to criticize them, look at their board of governors, many of them are actively involved in supporting jewish causes, and Zionist agenda.
Excellent response. You wont hear from HRW for some time to come as they have no answers to your questions.
Wonderful retort by Ms Mazari
@Saif Sherazi well said. The main issue of Pakistan is creeping intolerance, religious or otherwise, where powerful take law in their hands & apply it indiscriminately on others less fortunate and get away with it due to connections. The other social malaise is honor killings whose motives in most of the cases is dubious and unsubstantiated to begin with. Even in many cases those who are legally married, are not spared and brutally murdered in the name of honor. Pakistan, having majority female population needs friendly and safe environment for female education, employment, participation in sport and other cultural activities, presently discouraged in many areas across the country. We definitely don’t need coaxing by international NGO to follow their agenda, which in most cases has hidden ulterior motives but can definitely move on to eliminate injustices occurring in contravention to constitutional guarantees, religious & sectarian intolerance of minorities, & women non-emancipation.
She wants to ensure the rights of Muslims all over Europe yet no plans on giving rights to minorities in our own country.
yes whole world knows more about it then minister !
Now Pakistan is talking; well done Shireen Mazari. That said, we owe it ourselves that human rights issues in Pakistan are now dealt with - for each and every citizen without the slightest discrimination. PTI now is in a position to deliver. We are waiting.
Excellent - glad to see such a strong response. Madam Minister is accepting HR issues in Pakistan but at the same time reminding these so-called NGO's to be equally vocal for some other HR issues currently going on in different parts of the world. It seems that they totally ignore where Muslims HR are violated but come out strong when they can use these HR issues to create a negative image of Muslims/countries.
Well done Minister!
@Baba we are not here to make new rhetoric. We are trying to solve the old ones. There are many who care
Hats Off Dr. Mazari, befitting response! :)
Regards, Habib
Wow ... ! I am stunned and honored at the same time for the first time on a statement given by my very own politician. Hats off to you madam and hats off to imran khan for electing such competent ministers.
Looking forward to implementations of agendas now. Bless you
This shows there will be no change in Human Rights Violation in Naya Pakistan too as all previous governments were also bashing HR violation reports from all NGOs.
@SHAHID SATTAR I second you for your well composed and serene comments. Burying our head in sand like an ostrich is not a solution when we see human rights violations left and right, be it honor killing for selecting and marrying their legal partners, labor slavery in brick kiln and farmlands, general intolerance in civil society, protection of religious minorities, sectarian violence, restriction on women emancipation affecting their access to education, employment, sports and other cultural activities in many areas across the country which are in vogue in contravention to the guarantee provided in our constitution.
A befitting reply.
Madam, please own up to the fact, Pakistan has serious Human Rights problems. Being Muslims we should be example setters and not follow suit if others are doing wrong.
Excellent points! However, her tone, from the excerpts printed here, could use some euphemism. It gives an adversarial impression which could be misconstrued as being defensive. Over all good stance!
Wish Naya Pakistan all the best!
What a befitting response! Such a great feeling reading something as independent as this! Kudos to our new minister for making the right points and highlighting problems faced by Muslims across the globe, including the recent blasphemous content coming from Netherlands.
You cannot hide realities on ground as hate is promoted against minorities in Pakistan by inciting religious feelings and by using discriminatory laws, their places of worships burned, they are killed and socially outcasted and then you just want the world to keep a blind eye no they are not stupid.
@Baba @There you are wrong. World has now noticing and questioning the worst atrocities being committed in occupied Kashmir! Indian occupation end is nearer than you think-Good luck!
These are the kind of strong willed determined politicians we need. Someone who will stand by there convictions and the betterment of pakistan as a whole. Ik needs to clean the country of corruption from top to bottom, rishwat, privileges for the money people and the lot.
@Baba :"Try some new rhetoric nobody cares" may be you but we care.
Shireen Mazari’s statement clearly reflects why we are where we’re. Point to all the international issues instead of looking inwards...
@Baba - No doubt whether somebody notices or not, India and Israel are involved in perpetrating heinous human rights’ abuses....butstill I’ll prefer our Minister to look inwards and make Pakistan an exemplary state before pointing at others..
This is what happens when you make activists as ministers
Welldone
Reasonable response by the Minister Dr Mazari.
Excellent response. We are doing our part. You do yours.
Whilst there is no doubt about Dr. Shirin Mazari's competence and knowledge, it is not advisable to pick an unnecessary argument with multilateral agencies such as HRW. This may appease the local masses for a short while but can portray your government as unfriendly to Human Rights Conventions.
Well said Shireen Mazari.
Excellent reply
This is precisely what is wrong with our leaders:not accepting constructive criticism.Somehow it becomes an ego issue.Acceptance of these issues is the first step in the process of resolving them.
Wow! what a start as Human Rights Minister. Salute to the Lady. She picked up on the atrocities IOK and Palestine and the Netherlands issue. HRW better watch out, this minister is going to do your accountability.
Minister looks foolish by mentioning issues overseas where all know law has been followed any abuse is punished. Problem is in Pakistan no abuse is punished example so many people disappeared but not a single person punished even an open & shut case of Nadeemulah killing in a Sindh, accused has been freed and case is on back burner.
@M , Mr M, who is hiding name, what about Balochistan, Bolachs are our Pakistani citizens, our brothers and one of the pillar of Pakistan, we are always proud of them, if India stops meddling in Balochistan through some selfish leaders, there will be improvement faster then anyone has ever noticed.
@Baba. Just because its an old song does not mean its has to be swept under the rug and ignored
I was hoping that Naya Pakistan will have progressive cabinet and thanking the people and entities which point out the problems in the country. Islam was sent to the world to protect and establish human rights. Dr. Mazari is justifying that there are human rights abuses in other places in the world so it is OK for Pakistan to tolerate abuses.
Masterpice. This is the way a true soverign government retort to such agencies whose sole agenda is to further the targets of their Western funders.
I never understood what HRW does really, its mostly a foreign policy coercion tool of Hegemonic powers.
PTI Zindabad
It is obvious Pakistanis know what the problems are and don't need to be told, except for Pakistanis who are the problem and those who ignore the problem.
@Baba ... You are right. No one cares to do much about women's rights.
@Sheraz .... Why do we need a ruler?
Indeed, HRW need to address the atrocities being committed in Kashmir, Palestine and elsewhere. But it would be better if Madam Mazari may not use these issues to divert attention from our failure to secure violation of minority rights here in Pakistan. I hope she won't have to refresh her memory on recent burning of Ahmedi's worship place.
@M Has anyone ever cared about Baluchistan?
An excellent reply by Dr. shireen Mazari to the Human rights watchdog.
Shireen should look after the welfare of minorities in Pakistan first.
HRW should at once satisfy the Human rights minister and brief about their efforts in highlighting the human rights abuses in India and Israel. HRW credibility is at stake here.
She should be FM. We want this from IK
So happy about these statements. And I am not even a pti voter and supporter. Such hegemonic institutions need to be called out on their bluff. Needless to say, we need to correct our house on all the six mentioned points as well.
@Nauman M We are doing, but she is saying don't be selective on countries. What HRW has done about IOK and Palistine.
Shireen Mizari! You have won me with your stern reply (that is so clear and direct too) with organizations that who claim to stand up for human rights yet have double standards when it comes to Kashmir or Palestine or when it comes down to the countless Muslims whose rights being violated day in day out
Excellent response to these puppets.
Well said Dr Mazari. Muslims in Europe are daily harassed by their governments permission.
Minister Mazari May also want to focus on the basic rights violations of Pakistanis who’re Ahmedi or Shi’a.
The real Shireen Mazari has spoken.
Excellent reply to so called lover's of human rights who ignore human right violations in Kashmir, Palistine and in some other countries.
Dr. Mazari was clear and bold. These NGOs should ask Trump for separating mother from minors at the border too. As for today, women rights to inheritance has strongly pronounced from the government. Great move. Play fairly NGOs.
Only think about your country and correct, forget about other countries.
Even though not a PTI supporter but some valid points raised by Dr Mazari.
Well said
Selective human rights are very common by these western NGOs. Shame on them, they have to mend their ways to gain credibility
Why is HRW silent on Yemen, and the Rohingya?
@Taimoor Before making silly comments, understand it is not government behind these attacks. In neighbouring country its the government perpetrating attacks on minorities.
Kaptaan's team has come out swinging...
Well done, Dr. Mazari.
Now that's more like it. Clap clap clap, ms Mazari. Bravo!
My friends: I have not seen anybody talking about the situation of Muslims in China. Why a double standard? Human rights violation is a serious crime weather perpetuated by a friend or foe.
What about the 20 million Chinese Muslims suffering human rights violations in China. Please dont forget them Shireen Mazari.
Very well said Dr. Mazari!
Well said...Human Rights watch seems to be more of a tool in the hands of western powers to use for pressure on smaller countries to achieve their agendas....
Cheeti!
brilliant..now we are talking !!
Bravo; very good response. keep it up Madame
excellent response keep it up, Madame
Dr Shireen Mazari has responded very well to HRW and that's how we stand up for our rights and dignity. We must not allow biased and hypocrite organizations to teach us how to handle our internal affairs.
Excellent, Shireen Mazari!
Great Job .
great dr sahiba we need such brave leaders and not the coward ones like nawaz sharif and company
HRW is the organisation being used as a tool for fifth generation war in muslim countries. They make reports to push an agenda and make international case to sanction a country.
Dr. Shireen Mazari in her personality and courage, in her panache, she is awesome!
Great Reply. Your respect has increased many folds for me Dr Shereen Mazari.
Two wrongs does not make one right.
Bravo.
Well responded
This is the first time I have seen some bold response from a state minister. Well done
Good, logical response by Dr. Mazari. However, this does not mean there are no HR violations existing in PK. No country is perfect but effective laws and enforcement set examples and intents.
She has totally missed the point... Shireen Mazari being Human Rights minister is a disaster to that ministry.
Excellent response minister. Nation always expect this kind of bold reply to west & their instrumental NGOs that uncover their hypocrisy.
Why the hell they ask for ban on death penality.i hate it
Excellent Reply. This is something we expect in Naya Pakistan.
Well done.
There have been better letter writers than Minister Mazari. Wish if the flourish of the language could erase the travesty on the ground. I recall Shahabzada Yakub Khan writing even better ripostes on Jammu and Kashmir .
Excellent reply by Dr.Mazari to the NGO. Indeed, these so-called society-supporters do not focus their energies towards the real goals they are destined for..
Yes Dr you tell them. Bravo.
Very good
This approach is very honest and balanced. Double standard is not acceptable simple message. excellent
So 2 wrongs make a right... this is Naya Pakistan
I think China should also be included in the watch list.