The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote awareness on human rights, particularly among youth at higher education institutions.
According to a press release issued on Friday, under the MoU, the two sides have agreed to create awareness on human rights and promote academic activities covering different aspects of human rights.
They have also agreed to put joint efforts to spread knowledge on fundamental principles of human rights through publications, print and electronic media and seminars.
It has also been decided to encourage research in different fields of human rights at higher learning institutions, particularly on the rights of marginalised groups including women, children and minorities.
The MoU was signed by HEC Chairman Mukhtar Ahmed and NCHR Chairman Justice (r) Ali Nawaz Chohan, during a ceremony held at the commission secretariat.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed termed signing of the MoU for awareness of human rights as a good initiative. He said the educating masses on human rights issues was an imperative obligation.
He said HEC fully encourages students who conduct research on those subjects that relate to the overall situation of human rights. HEC will fully support NCHR in pursuance of this noble cause, he assured.
The chairman stressed the need for taking practical steps to safeguard human rights in the country. I have always emphasised the need for training of youth, alongside imparting them education.
It is need of the hour to encourage our youth to be courteous, polite and observe ethics in daily life.
In his remarks, Justice Ali Nawaz Chohan underscored the protection of human rights without discrimination of creed and caste. He urged the concerned quarters to jointly resolve clashes of interpretation of ideologies on human rights.
He said the new vistas towards protection of human rights need to be opened through our education system.
HEC and NCHR have to work together to materialise these thoughts, the NCHR chairman said.
