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International Human Rights Day: Activists term 2007 darkest year in country’s history

By Nadia Usman

LAHORE: Prominent human rights activists have termed 2007 one of the darkest years in the history of Pakistan. Since December 10 is being observed as a black day across Pakistan, Daily Times contacted some of the prominent human rights activists for their comments.

Asma Jahangir
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) chairwoman.

The year 2007 is the ‘darkest year’ in the history of Pakistan. The worst human rights abuses in Pakistan are recorded this year. The rights of ordinary people have been violated by the government. The security forces picked up more than 400 people and many of them are still missing. The Supreme Court is being obstructed in providing justice to the missing people and those who have been tortured by the security forces. The HRCP will hold a peaceful protest rally on December 10 (today) in front of the Lahore High Court against the open violations of fundamental human rights and to pressurise the government to restore the constitution and all the deposed judges. The protesters wearing black armbands and holding black flags will form a human chain. Seminars, press conferences and rallies will be held in all major cities of Pakistan. We have been facing Section 144 all our lives so it has become a regular feature for us. We are not afraid of the consequences as we are only raising our voices for our very basic rights.

Salima Hashmi
A human rights activist, educationist and artist.

It is so horrifying to see that the government is violating the basic human rights of the people. In such a situation, a greater responsibility lies on the shoulders of the civil society to come forward and speak for the people’s rights. Human Rights Day is not an ordinary day. It is a constant reminder of the fact that the obvious misuse of people’s rights continues in our society. When a nation frames its constitution, it shows that it has a deep respect for human life and basic human rights. On the contrary, the government has suspended the constitution and cramped all basic human rights, showing that it has no respect whatsoever for the lives and rights of Pakistanis. As an educationist, I will say that one can never work for the betterment of a society without respecting its people. One should have respect for people and his/her work should never be on the expense of others’ rights, no matter what.

Imtiaz Alam
South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) central secretary general.

Journalists will also observe the International Human Rights Day as a black day to show their solidarity with the rest of the civil society. They will join the protest to reaffirm their commitment to acknowledge basic human rights and pressurise the government to withdraw the emergency rule. The suspension of the constitution, black media laws, ban on private television channels, house arrest of dozens of judges of the superior courts and arrests of hundreds of lawyers and other civil society members are direct violations of basic human rights, with freedom of expression on top of the list. In such a critical situation when the elections being “openly rigged” and the Election Commission not entertaining any complaints, the journalists will not just sit back and relax. They will fight for the rights of the people by remaining in the forefront. We will join Monday’s protest rally in front of the Lahore High Court and nothing can possibly stop us from expressing ourselves. We are ready to face all consequences.

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