KARACHI, April 22: The annual report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) paints a depressing picture of the state of human rights in the country.

Titled ‘State of Human Rights in 2001’, the 369-page report chronicles the performance of the government last year in terms of policies impacting the dispensation of human rights. Divided into six categories, it deals with issues relating to the rule of law, its enforcement, fundamental freedoms, rights of the disadvantaged (under which are placed women, children and labour), social and economic rights and democratic development.

The report criticizes the government for its inability to effectively match its words on tackling sectarian violence with the requisite action, calling the ban on sectarian groups a “cosmetic gesture” and one that was prompted mainly by international pressure. It says that contrary to official claims that devolution would cause a new tier of clean political leadership to emerge, in most cases the same old faces, with the same links to influential clans or groups managed to get themselves elected. It accuses the military regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf of giving short shrift to democratic freedoms, especially about the political process where harsh restrictions on political parties continue. Even protests by citizens to bring to public attention the painful consequences of a water shortage were not allowed by the government.

The report is also sharply critical of what it said was the rise in cases of so-called honour killings. In some areas, especially in the NWFP, “orthodox forces” prevented women from voting in the local bodies elections. Local administrations were blamed for letting such things happens since none of this, the report says, could happen without the connivance of at least some local officials.

The government’s inability or unwillingness to properly implement laws relating to juvenile justice was sharply criticized. This inaction meant that hundreds of children continued to languish in prison despite the presence of a law which, if properly applied, could enable them to be immediately released.

The report also says that many of the 64 ordinances promulgated in 2001, were aimed at consolidating the authority and the grip of the state. The Police Act and the CrPc were amended or proposals were floated that changes would be brought in them, but all such amendments seemed to increase the already vast powers of the police. Other bodies whose performance, or lack thereof, are taken note of include the Law Commission and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The report says that reforms proposed by the former did not “receive prompt attention by the executive” while the latter seemed to go overboard and displayed “undue exuberance” in its observations and recommendations. Such actions by the CII, the report says, could encourage conservative elements in society.

Copies of the report can be purchased for Rs225 from the main HRCP office in Lahore or the Islamabad, the NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan offices. Further details can be had at www.hrcp-web.org or by e-mailing hrcp@hrcp-web.org.