EU to take notice of HR violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir

Lahore: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has urged the European Union and champions of the Human Rights to take a strong notice of the gross violations of Human Rights and atrocities of the Indian forces in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK). He expressed these views in a meeting of the Functional Committee on Human Rights with Stavros Lambrinidis, European Union Special Representative to Pakistan (EUSR) for Human Rights.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed presided over the meeting in absence of Afrasiab Khattak, Chairman of the Committee. Senators Farhatullah Babar and  Suriya Amiruddin were also present on the occasion. MNA Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of National Assembly also attended the meeting.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed welcomed the delegation and stated that Pakistan is committed to the promotion of Human Rights, rule of law and justice. He, however, pointed out that the negative narrative against Islam and racism in the west is creating inconvenience for Muslims in Pakistan. He expressed his satisfaction over good collaboration between Pakistan and European Union on different issues and expressed the hope that bilateral relations between the two would grow further in future.

Senator Mushahid also thanked the EU for its support to Pakistan on GSP Plus and stated that issues of Human Rights and rule of law are high on our agenda and government is making all out efforts to address the issues. “Pakistan is the freest Muslim democracy in the Muslim world”, Mushahid remarked, adding that smooth transition of power from one elected democratic government to the other is a manifestation of the fact that Pakistan strongly believes in democracy and rule of law.

Chairman of the National Assembly Human Rights Committee Ch. Mahmood Bashir Virk said that over whelming majority of the country wants rule of law and no discrimination on basis of color, creed or religion. The Constitution of Pakistan, he said, guarantees Human Rights and there exists an independent judiciary and vibrant civil society.

Senators Farhatullah Babar and Suriya Amiruddin also expressed their views. Senator Babar said that Pakistan is signatory to different Human Rights Conventions. He pointed out that the violation of Human Right by Indian forces in IOK need to be looked into.  Senator Suriya stated that policies were being framed to bring the women folk into the mainstream.

Earlier, Stavros Lambrinidis, European Union Special Representative to Pakistan (EUSR) for Human Rights informed the members of the Committee about the purpose of his visit. He said that this visit provided us an opportunity to interact with policy makers, media community and political leadership and exchanged views on matters pertaining to Human Rights and rule of law. He expressed his strong support for the democracy in Pakistan and also conveyed his felicitations to the government and people of Pakistan for Malala Yousafzai on wining the Nobel Peace Prize.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed also presented reports of his committee.