A Nepalese delegation on behalf of the Asia Foundation called on Adviser to Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar here on Tuesday.
The delegation was briefed about various initiatives taken by the government to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan. While pointing out international commitments of Preparation of Universal Periodic Report (UPR), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Convention Against Torture (CAT), Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) etc., the adviser said that these conventions were not only ratified but would also be implemented through domestic legislation.
He apprised the team members of the recent legislative initiatives of the present government for addressing human rights issues like National Commission for Human Rights Bill, the Women in Distress and Detention Fund Bill, National Commission for Women Bill, and Prevention of Anti Women Practices Bill (Private Member Bill).
The adviser also told the delegation about the effectiveness of the recently constituted National Commission on the Status of Women of Pakistan. The adviser appreciated the efforts of the young parliamentarians, particularly women parliamentarians, in the passage of these bills.
Moreover, he said the government was determined to protect the minorities in Pakistan through effective legislative measures. He also added that all this became possible due to the democratically elected government and even more would be done for the protection of human rights in future if democracy continued in Pakistan.
The adviser reiterated that in order to improve the human rights situation in Pakistan, all the stakeholders were taken on board in the process of legislation and that’s the reason the government had succeeded in bringing out quick legislation with proposed mechanism of implementation.
The delegation lauded the efforts of the adviser and the government for taking effective steps to improve human rights situation in Pakistan. The Nepalese delegation also briefed the adviser about the legislative measures of the Nepalese government for improving the human rights situation in Nepal. The adviser lauded the efforts of the Nepalese government.
