UPR is essential for HR data: Rabiya Javeri Agha

Lahore : Federal Secretary for Human Rights, Rabiya Javeri Agha, said on Tuesday that development of Universal Periodic Report (UPR) is essential so that all data and initiatives with regard to human rights, women, children and vulnerable groups can be shared by the provinces and adequately presented in the UPR.

Addressing the provincial consultation on Pakistan 3rd Universal Periodic Review Report held at a local hotel here, she said that one should be very careful while giving a statement.

She said that collective efforts were required to solve problems and the role of government and civil society was of high importance in this regard.

Federal Secretary said co-groups of all stakeholders should be set up within the regional offices to handle things in more effective manner. The participants gave their recommendations with regard to the UPR.

Rabiya Javeri Agha requested the participants to give recommendations in written form within one week, adding that a comprehensive synopsis would be prepared in the light of all these recommendations.

Consultation process must continue as all of us wanted progress and prosperity of the country and its people for which collective struggle was required, she added.

Human Rights (HR) Director General Muhammad Hassan Mangi gave a detailed presentation on the topic, while HR Regional Director Lubna Mansoor and others were also present.

It may be mentioned here that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council (HRC) aimed at improving the human rights situation.