ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Mon­day expressed deep concerns over the continuously deteriorating political and hu­­m­an rights situation and urged all the stakeholders not to exceed their ambit.

The commission also urged that all political parties should get level playing field and equal opportunities be ensured for the general elections scheduled for February 8.

The demands were made during a presser held at National Press Club and addressed by HRCP co-chair Munizae Jahangir, along with vice-chair Nasreen Azhar, former chairperson Afrasiab Khattak, council member Farhatullah Babar and member Nasir Zaidi.

Ms Jahangir warned that the current political situation would weaken democracy in Pakistan.

Criticises ‘cornering’ of PTI; minorities, Afghan refugees, Baloch women should be protected by means of law, statement says

“If situation continues, upcoming government will never be able to enjoy credibility. We suggest that there should be transparent elections. It is quite evident that the PTI is being cornered,” she said while replying to questions.

She said everyone knew that how things were going on and what was the role of non-elected people.

“However we wish that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and caretaker govt ensures free and fair election,” she said.

Former senator Farhatullah Babar claimed that pre-poll rigging had already started as candidates were being stopped from filing nomination papers and then their proposers and secondors were harassed.

He feared that the people will lose their trust in elections and once they do so, there will be no trust in the new government. He warned that the situation of human rights will further deteriorate in coming days.

A statement was also shared on the occasion which stated that there was the blatant manipulation of the electoral landscape in which one political party has been singled out for systematic dismemberment.

“While HRCP does not condone violence in any form perpetrated by anyone, the state’s response has been disproportionate and unlawful. This has assumed a familiar pattern, including arrests of party workers and supporters, lack of transparency concerning the charges involved, crackdowns on party workers’ right to peaceful assembly, enforced disappearances, obvious signs of pressure on party leaders to resign or exit politics altogether and, most recently, the large-scale rejection of candidates’ nomination papers. Various other parties have also been subjected to similar tactics to varying degrees. At this point, there is little evidence to show that the upcoming elections will be free, fair and credible,” it stated.

Protection of minorities

The statement delved into the rights of vulnerable groups, pointing out the destruction of Christian and Ah­­madiyya places of worship in reference to the Jaranwala incident in August 2023, causing severe damage to over 30 churches in a single day.

“The HRCP also calls for the immediate implementation of the 2014 Supreme Court judgement with respect to religious minorities’ rights,” the notification stated.

The statement additionally asserted that the forced displacement of Afghan refugees is considered a ‘violation of international customary law’. It elaborated on how this decision has endangered numerous women, children, the elderly, and disabled Afghan individuals.

“The state must not allow militants to gain strength through opaque backdoor negotiations as happened last year. Addi­tionally, the merger and mainstreaming of former FATA is an achievement that must not be reversed,” it stated.

“HRCP expresses its solidarity with the Baloch women protesting outside the National Press Club and demands that the state produce all those missing in a court of law. HRCP strongly believes that these concerns must be tackled as a matter of priority by an elected government that comes to power in a transparent manner, functions independently of external pressure, and commits to protecting and upholding the rights of all citizens and residents,” the statement concludes.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2024