ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Israel engage in a rare diplomatic dispute over human rights issues, blaming each other. Pakistan and Israel exchange accusations regarding human rights concerns. Islamabad condemned Tel Aviv’s criticism of Pakistan’s human rights record.
The conflict arose when Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN expressed concerns about the violent situation in Pakistan during a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Adil Farjon, speaking on behalf of Israel, accused Pakistan of enforced disappearances, torture, suppression of peaceful protests, and violence against religious minorities.
Farjon urged Pakistan to address these issues by preventing arbitrary arrests, torture, and ill-treatment, bringing the perpetrators to justice, and reducing the use of the death penalty, particularly for children and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, Farjon called on Pakistan to decriminalize same-sex activities and implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in accordance with international standards.
The Israeli envoy also expressed concern about Pakistan’s tightening of the blasphemy law through amendments passed in January. She argued that the law frequently targets and persecutes religious and minority groups.
In response to the Israeli envoy’s remarks, Pakistan’s foreign office issued a statement stating that the UN Human Rights Council had unanimously adopted Pakistan’s Universal Periodic Report. The statement mentioned that several countries and civil society organizations praised Pakistan for its progress.
The foreign office spokesperson criticized Israel’s politically motivated statement, stating that it contradicted the positive tone of the session and the majority of states’ statements. Regarding Israel’s history of oppressing Palestinians, the spokesperson asserted that Pakistan did not need advice from Israel on protecting human rights.
Additionally, government ministers also condemned the Israeli envoy’s statement. Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, accused Pakistan’s enemies, who have consistently spoken against Palestinians, Muslims, and Kashmiris in international forums, of now supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
