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I am troubled at the rising incidences of rape in police custody and of gang rapes by influential sector of society. There are still cases of the killing of women on the mere allegation of harming the family or clan’s honour. I understand that the government of Pakistan is in a quandary how to fulfill the obligations under article 18 of the united nations women convention which requires the party state to submit within a year of ratification and there at least every four years, reports on the legislative, judicial administrative or other measures which they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of the said convention. A report which was due on April 11, 1977, had not been submitted till October 1998, and may well have not been submitted till to day. The only worth mentioning event in this field is the report of the commission of enquiry for women which was set up by the government in the year 1994. The report has brought into focus the areas of the deprivation of rights suffered by women. The anguish of the commission is expressed in their conclusion where the commission has urged the decision makers to give the issue of women rights the critical importance it deserves.
The attitude of our religious leaders and groups is a great hindrance in the political participation of women in Pakistan.
It is a dismal picture that out of 207 members in the national assembly there are only five women legislators, two senators out of 83 and only one out of 483 male provincial legislators. Those who demand the political rights for women are criticized as magribzada (Westernized). Thus making a fruitful dialogue on the issue is almost impossible. The rigid interpretation of Sharia has infringed on the right of an adult female to seek her partner of life by her own freewill. As Social Worker and Human Rights Activist I am entitled to say that I notice judicial indifference towards the women’s rights and to general issue concerning women. It is easy for the family members to convince a judge against a female litigation for her right by accusing her of average (Lewdness).
Religious intolerance is increasing and as a result of preaching violence by the sectarian leaders, the violence has taken the shape of terrorism resulting in the death of many innocent people. This area is becoming extremely dangerous and likely to gain uncontrolled proportion if not attended to in god time.
I can understand that the impact of my statement on some of the viewers/listeners could be that despondency band disappointment. But I believe it is also a fundamental right of every citizen to know the truth. In speaking the truth, I am fulfilling a national obligation towards the improvement environment of human rights in Pakistan.
We shall have to bridge between our profession and our deeds. There is luckily a free operating in Pakistan and the Pakistan culture is pluralist in its tone and tenor. The recent human rights development report of 1998 has brought out the discrimination that exists in the human poverty index between the industrial countries and the poor countries and has raised the issue that the developed countries must recognize that human progress can only be achieved if the countries lagging in human development are helped and cautiously supported to achieve an appropriate level of human development. These global tends should help the society of Pakistan to become aware of the need for human rights also.
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idreeskhan
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