A Roundtable was organised by Democracy Reporting International (DRI) on the ‘Role of an Independent National Commission for Human Rights’, the roundtable was held on the occasion of the launch of DRIs Briefing Paper ‘Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights(NCHR): A Key Step for Maintaining GSP+ Status.
The activity was attended by over 80 individuals, including members of the newly established National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), political parties, representatives of national and international human rights organisations, UN agencies, donor agencies, officials of relevant government departments and ministries and delegates from the European Union and the Embassy of Germany.
In his key-note speech, Justice Retired Ali Nawaz Chowhan, Chairperson of the newly emerged National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) argued that ‘rights issues’ were the basis of the creation of Pakistan. He urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure compliance on international human rights treaties, which Pakistan has ratified, assuring that the emerging NCHR would play its due role for the protection and promotion of the fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan, in particular the protection of human rights defenders, whose lives are at risk.
Acting head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan Mr. Stefano Gatto, while discussing the importance of PAK-EU Partnership for Sustainable Development, stressed that this partnership is aimed to strengthen democracy, improve education and promote human rights in Pakistan. He described the GSP+ mechanismas key step to improve Pakistan’s economy and at the same time to improve the human rights standards in the country. Mr. Gatto shared the EU´s serious concern on the lifting of the moratorium on capital punishment as well as onthe establishment of Military Courts to counter terrorism.
Speakers and participants of the roundtable defined the event to launch DRIs Briefing Paper as an inaugural ceremony of the NCHR and congratulated the Chairman and the Commissioners for the establishment of the institution, which is a key step to the improving the protection and promotion of human rights in Pakistan.
The Briefing Paper, launched at the occasion, discusses the salient features of the National Commission for Human Rights Act 2012, which guarantees a pluralistic composition of members of the NCHR, the freedom to make rules and procedures, appoint staff and consultants, financial independence and accountability through submission of annual reports to the Parliament.
urthermore, The Briefing paper outlines recommendations for the Commission to formulate a strategy to ensure that institutions’ effectiveness is in line with international standards and comparative practices, in particular the Paris Principles for National Human Rights Institutions. The Briefing Paper outlines key considerations to be made in establishing the body, in particular to ensure that its budget, staffing and organizational chart protect its independence. Additionally, the Commission is required to develop, formalise and maintain regular, constructive and systematic relationships with all stakeholders.