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Mr. President,
Today is an important milestone in the history of world, human rights and this august Assembly. With the sort of reflection one sees of the participation and lack of Permanent Representatives, I must say it does not seem to be the message we should be sending to the world and I specifically mention with regret those who for so long have been the arbiters of human rights could today be called upon forbearers who are not here. Let me remind them what we are doing here today.
Today we commemorate the sixty-first anniversary of the adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The adoption of UDHR in 1948, after the conclusion and tragic experiences of the Great Wars, reflected a strong desire by the world community to live with the common ideals of peace, harmony, equity, freedom and the right to self- determination.
Today while the UN remains the most important body of morality in the world, we should have sent a message of hope to those corners of the world where people would have anxiously awaited to see a strong positive participatory representation on behalf of this Assembly for the rest of the world to note that we believe in human rights. Instead we have a shortage of speakers. This is not the sort of message we should be sending to the world at large. This is not the absence of hope that we should be preaching to the world.
Pakistan, is observing the day with one week long celebrations. We are trying to promote Universal respect for Human rights we may have not been associated with many years ago. But as you can see throughout the world there are gaps between rhetoric and implementation on international human rights and the sincerity of purpose seems to be lacking.
Article 26 of the UDHR ordains every one with “the right to education”, which the UDHR envisioned to be directed “to the full development of human personality and to strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.” One of the means to fill the gap between rhetoric of human rights and its sincere implementation is through education and learning.
Pakistan recognizes the important role that education and learning can play in promotion and protection of human rights. In this regard, we wish to acknowledge the important and valuable role played by different initiatives including the International Year of human rights learning, which is concluding today.
Mr. President,
Human rights education has been integrated in our curricula at different levels. We believe that all human right are universal, interrelated and indivisible. Realization and respect for human rights be they Economic, Social, and Cultural or Civil and Political, comes from an individual’s immediate surrounding and through formal education.
In the context of International Human Rights Day, this year the Government of Pakistan is organizing a series of activities to create awareness on the importance of promotion and protection of Human Rights among all segments of society. The theme for commemorating the International Human Rights Day in Pakistan for this year is “Human Rights and Peace.” different events are being organized in all parts of the country from 10 to 17 December 2009. The Ministry of Human Rights is organizing these events, which have been arranged in consultation and coordination with all stake holders including our vibrant civil society and media organizations.
Mr. President,
Pakistan’s Constitution is built on the principle of equal rights and equal treatment of all citizens and persons without any distinction. It guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms, including social, economic and political justice, freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship and association. It directs the state to take appropriate measures to enable women to participate in all spheres of life and community activities, and safeguard the rights and interests of minorities.
The democratic Government of Pakistan is firmly committed to protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens and to promoting tolerance, understanding and harmony among all its citizens, religions and sections of the society. Besides the constitutional guarantees, a system of separate electorate ensures adequate representation of minorities in the national and provincial legislatures. A fixed quota in government jobs ensures representation of minorities in the national decision making. The National Commission for Minorities and a Special Fund for the welfare and uplift of minorities reviews their well being and addresses any needs. The Government has declared 12 August as Minorities Day in order to emphasize the importance of inter-religious dialogue, cooperation and understanding. Similarly, interfaith harmony committees have been established at district level to ensure dialogue, cooperation and understanding at grass root level.
Pakistan is a State Party to several human rights instruments. The Ministry of Human Rights monitors and addresses human rights violations and trends, with special reference to women, minorities and vulnerable segments of society. Elaborate groundwork has been done for establishment of National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR). The NCHR will be in accordance with the Paris Principles and would help in combating human rights violations and fulfilling the international obligations.
Our media is one of the freest and most vibrant media in South Asia, an increased number of private and independent channels are operating in the country than ever before. There has been a perceptible increase in the number and influence of civil society in providing alternate views and safeguarding the human rights in the country. The media and civil society are playing important role in fostering a culture of accountability and transparency in implementation of human rights.
The independent judiciary in Pakistan has taken wide ranging steps to guarantee protection of constitutional rights of all citizens. It has even taken suo motto actions in a number of cases.
Mr. President,
The Declaration adopted by this Assembly at the sixtieth anniversary of UDHR last year provided an opportunity of introspection and we all agreed that “no country or territory can claim that it is without human rights violations” it is a tacit acknowledgement of our failures and we expressed that “We all have the duty to step up our efforts to promote and protect all human rights.”
Today again we all need to reaffirm our commitment that “we, the States Members of the United Nations, reiterate that we will not shy away from the magnitude of this challenge. We reaffirm our commitment towards the full realization of all human rights for all, which are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing”. The democratically elected Government in Pakistan has and will do all it can to promote and protect human rights for its people and its international human rights obligations. We urge the international community to do so as well.
Thank you.