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Human rights directly linked to strong, true democracy: Asma

KARACHI: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) former chairperson Ms Asma Jahangir has said that human rights are linked with the process of democratic development.

She was speaking as the chief guest at a five-day workshop on "Reporting abuse, rape and other human rights issues relating to women".

The moot is being organised by the British Council Karachi in collaboration with the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) Pakistan Chapter.

Ms Jahangir was of the view that in many of the circumstances women do not enjoy their due rights as well as status.

She also pointed towards the exploitation of women in the male-dominated society and also cited various examples. She also referred to various customs, growing intolerance as well as some laws that are exploited in order to deprive women of their due rights.

The former HRCP chief opined that women do not have the required say in the policy making process at various levels.

She also spoke of the growing instances of incest in the society.

Ms Jahangir was of the view that the rape incidents should be reported by the press but the names of the victims should not be published.

She said that families of the addicts especially the women, have to undergo a lot of inconveniences and problems and the press should also highlight these while writing about the menace of drug addiction.

British Council Karachi Director Richard Hardwick, in his speech termed the workshop as an important event.

He said that the moot is being held at an appropriate time as the international women's day is to be marked on March 8.

Richard said that BBC's special correspondent Ms Sue Lloyd Roberts will lead this very session.

Secretary of CPU Pakistan Section, Ghazi Salahuddin, was of the vie that the workshop will be very useful for the participants.

He said the moot will help make participants more aware of how to report the human rights issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sue Lloyd Roberts said that various issues pertaining to the human rights would be discussed at the workshop. APP