ISLAMABAD: In order to promote human rights education among university students, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a number of higher education institutions on Wednesday.

The recent MoUs were signed with Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University in Islamabad and Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, Rawalpindi. In a statement issued here, NCHR said that this collaboration underscored the shared commitment of both entities to empower individuals, foster a culture of respect, equality, and justice amongst students, and prevent human rights violations through education.

This collaborative initiative was aligned with the crucial role of education and awareness in the protection and promotion of human rights. “By engaging with universities and educational institutes, the NCHR aims to create a lasting impact, fostering a society that values and upholds the principles of human rights. We look forward to creating a more just and inclusive society through widespread human rights literacy,” said Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha.

She said that the NCHR recognised the pivotal role of human rights institutions in contributing to the formulation and execution of human rights education programs. “In line with this objective, the Commission has been actively engaged in forging partnerships with esteemed universities and educational institutes across the country. This partnership, in accordance with its mandate under Section 9(h) of its Act, is crucial to NCHR’s programme on human rights education, building knowledge about human rights, changing attitudes and behaviours, and promoting a culture of tolerance and peace,” the chairperson said.

An NCHR team, led by Member Balochistan Prof Farkhanda Aurangzeb, recently engaged in several meetings with key stakeholders in various universities. The team recently held two meetings at the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad emphasising the renewal of an MoU to strengthen collaboration in the realm of human rights education.

NCHR maintained that fruitful discussions were held with Professor Dr Tahir Khalily, who is Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, and Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Dr Uzaira Rafique. Similar collaborations were under discussion with Bahria University Islamabad, Rawalpindi Women University, QAU, COMSATS, and Allama Iqbal Open University.

The primary objectives of the MoUs with various universities included creating awareness and stimulating interest in the field of human rights among students, encouraging research, discussions, and activities related to fundamental human rights principles through the academic curriculum, fostering an understanding of international human rights laws, supporting initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized groups through knowledge dissemination on their rights, and encouraging the establishment of forums, discussions, and activities that contribute to enhancing a culture of human rights awareness.

Furthermore, the agreements would facilitate the organisation of seminars, talks, workshops, essay competitions, debates, and art competitions on human rights issues relevant to the academic curriculum. Educational materials and resources would be developed and distributed to enhance human rights literacy.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024