ISLAMABAD: World Human Rights Day is being observed in Pakistan along with the rest of the international community.

This year’s theme is “Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All”, aiming to promote awareness and inspire action for the protection of human rights worldwide. This day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.

President Dr Arif Alvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to upholding citizens’ rights as outlined in the country’s Constitution, the UDHR, and other international agreements. In a message on the occasion, President Alvi said the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens, and Pakistan has adopted several legal, economic and social remedies to promote and protect these rights.

He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to providing a conducive environment and equal opportunities for all minority groups, ensuring their social, political, and economic rights. He further expressed concern over the plight of the Palestinian people, who he said were being deprived of their basic rights and facing state terrorism and ethnic cleansing by Israel, urging international intervention.

He said the international community has failed to take action against Israel and stop it from committing the genocide of the Palestinian people. Additionally, the president emphasised the need for global attention to address human rights abuses in India-held Kashmir, holding India accountable for its actions. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding human rights domestically and internationally.

In his message on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, he criticised India for violating human rights norms and conventions in IHK, pledging ongoing moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle against Indian occupation and oppression. He said Pakistan reiterates its call for ending the egregious human rights abuses in IHK.

The caretaker premier also condemned Israel’s actions in Palestine, citing the blatant violation of human rights in Gaza resulting in thousands of casualties. He called for an end to these abuses and said Israel’s purposeful, indiscriminate, and disproportionate targeting of people violated all standards of human rights and constituted a clear breach of international law.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 11 2023

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