ISLAMABAD – The US and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to work more closely in multilateral human rights fora, especially in the UN Council of Human Rights, to promote shared values and objectives.
The two sides also agreed to have regular consultations on issues of human rights and International Humanitarian Law. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir received US Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Michael H Posner, who is presently visiting Pakistan, and discussed issues related to human rights and International Humanitarian Law, and enhancing cooperation in these areas with the view to promoting best practices, the Foreign Office said.
The foreign secretary said Pakistan greatly valued its relations with the US and was satisfied that there had been a tremendous momentum generated in bilateral relations in the last two years. He said Pakistan deeply appreciated the international agenda of the Obama administration to promote peace and prosperity around the world.
He said the fact that Pakistan and the US shared human values, there was great scope for bilateral cooperation in the pursuit of international human rights agenda. Briefing the US assistant secretary on multiple challenges facing Pakistan, especially in the context of extremism and terrorism, the Bashir said Pakistan was undergoing transformation in terms of promoting a transparent and democratic society.
“In this regard, the role being played by country’s rapidly growing civil society, robust media and independent judiciary is significant,” he said. The government and the people of Pakistan were committed to strengthening democracy, and the strides made in the last three years were important to strengthen democratic norms and culture in the country, he said.
On the international human rights agenda, the foreign secretary underlined that selective approaches pursued by some had invariably resulted in misgivings and damaged the cause of building international consensus on promoting best practices. In this regard, he mentioned the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the denial of the right of self-determination to Kashmiris.
He said it was necessary that politics should be kept separate from human rights agenda, adding that Pakistan as OIC coordinator in Geneva was interested to play a role of consensus builder. The US assistant secretary of state commended Pakistan’s vibrant society and its accomplishments against heavy odds, especially in retaining the freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s active role in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
