World Human Rights Day is being observed in Pakistan, aligning with the global community. The theme for this year is “Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All,” aimed at raising awareness and encouraging action for the protection of human rights worldwide.
This day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights, as outlined in the country’s Constitution, the UDHR, and other international agreements.
In a statement, President Alvi highlighted the Constitution’s guarantee of fundamental rights for all citizens and outlined the legal, economic, and social measures adopted by Pakistan to promote and protect these rights. He stressed the country’s dedication to providing an inclusive environment with equal opportunities for all minority groups, ensuring their social, political, and economic rights.
President Alvi also expressed concern over the plight of the Palestinian people, denouncing what he termed as their deprivation of basic rights, facing state terrorism and ethnic cleansing by Israel. He urged international intervention, criticizing the lack of action against Israel and its alleged genocide of the Palestinian people.
Additionally, President Alvi emphasized the need for global attention to address human rights abuses in India-held Kashmir, holding India accountable for its actions.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar echoed the government’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding human rights domestically and internationally.
In his World Human Rights Day message, he criticized India for violating human rights norms and conventions in India-held Kashmir (IHK), pledging ongoing moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle against Indian occupation and oppression. Kakar reiterated Pakistan’s call for an end to human rights abuses in IHK.
The caretaker premier also condemned Israel’s actions in Palestine, citing blatant violations of human rights in Gaza resulting in numerous casualties. He called for an immediate end to these abuses, asserting that Israel’s deliberate, indiscriminate, and disproportionate targeting of people violated all standards of human rights and constituted a clear breach of international law.
