MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

2018-11-01
MoHR Press Release 31-10-2018 Islamabad: Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Dr Afia Siddiqui has called on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari here in Islamabad on Wednesday. They discussed the ways how to move ahead getting Dr Afia Siddiqui back in Pakistan. Talking to her, the Federal Minster said that we were trying our best to bring Dr Afia Siddiqui back to Pakistan. Dr Mazari said we are well aware of the problems and anguish of Dr Afia Siddiqui’s family and assured her full support in their struggle for her sister s release.

2018-11-01
MoHR Press Release 30-10-2018 Islamabad: Delegation of European Parliament led by Ms Jean Lambert has called on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari here in Islamabad on Tuesday. Besides Joint secretary Human Rights Ministry Azam Khan, other high officials of ministry were also present on the occasion. They discussed the various human rights related issues including the rights of women, children and minorities. On this occasion, Minister said we are committed to ensure the basic rights of our citizens in pursuance to our Constitution and International commitments. We have very wide and comprehensive agenda and we are focussed on implementation of existing laws and also working on new legislation. Dr Mazari said we are taking pragmatic steps to ensure the protection and provision of human rights and apprised the delegation about the steps which have been taken. She said besides implementation of existing laws we are also working on devising new legislations to safeguard the rights of citizens. She stated we are working on three new Bills on Anti Torture and Custodial Death, Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Prohibition of Corporal Punishment including the Christian Divorce Bill, these bills will be tabled in national assembly soon. She said we are preparing new legislation on domestic workers to stop the violation of children’s rights and to ensure their protection. We have legislation in various areas including the law for protection of rights of transgender. Dr Mazari said Human Rights Ministry has started awareness campaigns for women’s right to inheritance and provision of free legal aid to the women. Human Rights Minister said we are working with law ministry to establish statutory body to provide probono legal services and assistance especially for women. We are also building up data base about human rights related issues, we can do better and substantial work after having rights data base, Dr Mazari further added. She reiterated her firm commitment to take all possible measures for the promotion and protection of human rights including the rights of women, children and minorities in Pakistan. Minister said protection of human rights was the top most priority of incumbent government. She said unlike in Europe, non Muslim communities in Pakistan have been provided their own laws, in this connection Hindu Divorce and Marriage law already passed. Christian Divorce bill will be presented in National Assembly soon after vetting from law ministry. Talking to them, Shireen Mazari also showed her concerns about the issues and problems which Muslim community and Pakistani Diaspora have been facing in some states of Europe particularly in practicing their religion. While showing her grave concerns on human rights violation in Kashmir valley, Shireen Mazari further said Pakistan will forcefully raise the Kashmir dispute and expose Indian atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir at every forum. International Community should come forward and raise voice against worst violations of basic rights in IOK. We have given blue print of conflict resolution model for the solution of this longstanding issue, innocent kashmiri suffered a lot for attainment plebiscite, she said. Delegation appreciated the efforts of government of Pakistan especially the Human Rights Ministry for protection of rights. Meanwhile, Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Mr Rolf Holmboe has also called on Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen M Mazari and discussed the various human rights related issues.

2018-10-29
MoHR Press Release 29-10-2018 Islamabad: Taking notice of an incident of abuse of a differently-abled Sikh girl, resident of District Nankana Sahib, had gone missing and later on was found at midnight, Human Rights Minister Dr. Shireen Mazari expressed her deep concern and said abuse of vulnerable citizens will not be tolerated. She had also called detailed investigation report from police over the matter and said Justice will be dispensed at all costs. Dr Mazari said she will personally look after the case investigation. “FIR has been registered and the Police informed us they have arrested two persons in the case, she further added. In compliance to the directives of the Human Rights Minister, The police registered a case and arrested both the suspects.

2018-10-29
MoHR Press Release Islamabad October 27, 2018: The government of Pakistan and whole Pakistani Nation is observing October 27 as Black Day against the Indian brutalities and illegal occupation of Kashmir valley by India. Dr. Shireen M Mazari, Federal Minister for Human Rights shared in a special message that October 27 is marked as the Black Day as a protest against the illegal occupation of Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces. The people in Indian occupied Kashmir have suffered massive human rights abuse which is an open violation and negation of international human rights laws, conventions, basic norms of law and justice and commitments to safeguard the rights of people. India unleash on unarmed innocent Kashmiris who are still facing atrocities by Indian forces but our support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir would continue till the realization of their right to self-determination. She said we are highly concerned over the oppression by Indian forces and the illegal and inhuman use of pellet guns, chemical weapons on unarmed Kashmiris is highly condemnable. She expressed that violence demonstrated against citizens of occupied Kashmir by Indian forces is nothing new. The Indian army commits such brutal acts every single day but the world s silence against human rights violations carried out by India is regrettable and unfortunate. Adding that, international organizations working for the protection of human rights are also inaudible over this inexorable issue. She urged the international community to raise their voice against Indian atrocities and to help Kashmiris for the attainment of the Plebiscite which has been guaranteed by the UNSC and UNCIP resolutions. She added that now the time has come to move beyond clichés and to make mere declaratory statements of support for Kashmiris, but to take some pragmatic steps to award the freedom to the Kashmiris which is guaranteed by UNSC and international conventions. She expressed the Pakistan would continue exposing the human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir by Indian forces and international community should force India to put an immediate end to the ongoing worst violations of human rights in Kashmir valley. In this special message, Dr. Mazari said that to reaffirm the sense of solidarity today, whole Pakistani nation is standing by the innocent people of Indian Occupied Kashmir, who are sacrificing their lives for the attainment of plebiscite.

2018-10-29
MoHR Press Release 26-10-2018 Islamabad: Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari visited the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) on Friday. Chairman NCHR, Justice ® Ali Nawaz Chohan gave a detailed briefing to the Minister about the working and performance of the Commission. He also apprised the minister about some of the issues which they are faced with. The minister was apprised that NCHR has received more than three thousand complaints from across the country relevant to the issues related to women, children, transgender and others. On the occasion, the Minister assured her full support to the Commission and aimed to work together for the protection and promotion of basic rights of our citizens.