Candle light vigil in memory of Hiroshima victims

Email from Institute for peace and Secular studies

 

Candle light vigil in memory of Hiroshima victims

 

Friends, comrades,

 

On August 6, 1945 the U.S. bombed the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing 140,000 people. Since then, thousands more have died from injuries or illness attributed to exposure to radiation released by the bombs. As peace-loving citizens we condemn this brutality and hope that nothing like it ever happens again. Being a citizen of a nuclear state, it is our duty to register our complaint against the havoc wreaked by atomic explosions.

 

Tomorrow, on August 6 at 7 p.m. let us all join hands in peaceful protest outside the Lahore Press Club. Please bring friends and family to light a candle in memory of the victims of Hiroshima.

 

Thanks and regards,

Diep

Institute for peace and Secular studies

91-G johar Town Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Ph 042-5219862/ 042-5219863

Mobile 0300-844-5072

www.peaceandsecularstudies.org

 

HRCP condemns harassments of human rights defenders

Press Release, June 20, 2008

 

Karachi: In a statement issued to the press, Iqbal Haider, Co-Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan strongly condemns the harassment and victimization of human rights defenders, for raising voice against bonded labour. 

 

Mr. Haider said that it was shocking that the main accused reportedly involved in the crime of bonded labour and kidnapping, arrested under the court order has been released after the dismissal of the independent judiciary of the superior court.  Now not only that he has been released but he has the audacity to harass, and victimized human rights activist like Mr. Akhter Baloch by reportedly filing a criminal case of defamation in a district and session court of Sanghar. It is also learnt that the court has issued warrant of arrest of Mr. Akhter Baloch in a baseless and mala fide case. Akhter Baloch is a member of HRCP and has been actively pursuing the cases of bonded labourers, in particular for recovery of the bonded family of Munno Bheel.

 

Mr. Haider has called upon the authorities, to give due protection to the bona fide member and activist of HRCP, and to prevent misuse of the due process of the law and ensure that no human rights activist is harassed and victimized by the violators of the human rights and the law.

 

Iqbal Haider, Co-Chairperson

EVERY HUMAN HAS RIGHTS - the Elders’ campaign

Visit the Every Human Has Rights Website and sign the declaration

(text from website)

****

In the 60th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Elders, with many organizations around the world, joined to launch the Every Human Has Rights campaign.

 

We urge you to embrace the values and goals of the Declaration. To protect the rights of your fellow global villagers. And encourage others to do the same in your communities, workplaces and schools. Click here to learn more about the campaign

****

Campaign Themes

 

Each month leading up to the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the campaign partners will highlight a specific area of the rights contained in Universal Declaration; teaching you about its roots, where it stands today, and how you can get more involved. This month’s theme,

 

Freedom from Fear, Preventing Torture, has been brought to you be the Amnesty International

 

Speak out

 

The most formidable enemy of human rights today is silence. Here the Every Human Has Rights campaign partners hope to tell many stories of human rights triumphs and abuses from across the globe, so that all can learn from them.

 

We’ve begun with a few profiles of people who we admire for the work they do. We hope that you will find the following stories of how individuals are standing up for human rights, both a learning and an inspiration. Tell us your story or the story of your community

 

Asma Jilani Jahangir

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Arrested with other opponents of Pakistan’s General Musharraf in November 2007, Asma Jahangir, head of the country’s human-rights commission and a UN special envoy, has spent decades defending Christians and Muslims sentenced to death under harsh and capricious blasphemy laws. She shelters women whose families want to murder them — because they deserted cruel husbands. She investigates the fate of prisoners who vanish in police custody, and battles for their release. Read more

 

Asma Jilani Jahangir
http://www.everyhumanhasrights.org/asma-jilani-jahangir

HRCP expresses support for the Long March

Press Statement, 6 June 2008

 

Karachi: Co-Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Senator (R) Iqbal Haider, has expressed wholehearted support of HRCP to the lawyers movement for restoration of the judges, independence of judiciary & rule of law. He has assured the lawyers community of participation of HRCP, its office bearers & members in the “Long March” of the lawyers from Multan to Islamabad, for achievement of the said noble causes, which are imperative for the protection of the human rights and national interest.

 

Mr. Haider stated that there is no tenable reason or justification for connecting the restoration of the judges of the superior courts and their Chief Justices with the Constitutional Package.

 

Mr. Haider emphasised that the delay in restoration of the judges as was committed by the Shaheed Chairperson, Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto as well as in the Murree Declaration, is not in the interest of the country or of the ruling coalition parties, because this delay is promoting unrest and uncertainty in the country and jeopardizing & harming functioning, image and credibility of the Federal Government and its coalition parties. The Government should realize the importance of this issue and the earlier the judges are restored unconditionally, the better it would be for the coalition partners in the Government, as well as in the interest of the people.

 

Senator (R) Iqbal Haider, Co-Chairperson

HRCP delegation met with the Chief Minister of Sindh

HRCP delegation met with the Chief Minister of Sindh

 

HRCP has been holding consultations on human rights issues confronting the country. With a new democratically elected government in power, HRCP believes it is time to share concerns and proposals with political leaders.

 

Therefore, a delegation of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan headed by Iqbal Haider, Co-Chairperson HRCP, comprising of Uzma Noorani, Asad Iqbal Butt, Sindh Council Members of HRCP, and Ejaz Ahsan, Program Coordinator, HRCP had a meeting with Mr. Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh at CM House on June 5, 2008.

 

HRCP delegation shared a copy of policy statement of HRCP on critical issues of human rights, for the consideration and support of PPP leadership . This policy statement was adopted by the General Body at HRCP’s Annual General Meeting held recently.

 

CM promised moving necessary resolutions and bill for legislation wherever required, for expeditious implementation of the recommendations of HRCP on human rights issues.

 

HRCP also expressed concern over marrying off 15 under-age girls to settle tribal dispute through a jirga held in Chach village, Kashmore-Kandhkot and demanded that the provincial government take immediate action against all those responsible for the illegal and inhuman decisions and ensure immediate release of the minor girls.

 

Iqbal Haider also presented the recently published, Annual Report of HRCP “State of Human Rights in 2007″ to the CM.

 

Policy Statement of HRCP

Speech of Muneer Malik, former president of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association at the award ceremony at South Korea

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AHRC-ANM-006-2008
June 2, 2008

An Announcement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

 

ASIA: Speech of the Mr. Muneer Malik, former president of Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association at the award ceremony at Gwangju at South Korea

 

We wish to share with you the following speech of Mr. Muneer Malik, delivered on his acceptance of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. He received the human rights award on May 18, 2008 on the occasion of the 518 International Solidarity Program, held in commemoration of the great people’s movement in Gwangju, South Korea against the military dictatorship and for democracy.

 

Valedictory Speech of Munir Malik

HRCP condemns fresh attacks on rights

Press release, May 12

 

Lahore: While condemning the restrictions on the Geo TV and denial of licence to its English channel as the opening of a new front against the media and the restrictions on lawyers in Karachi as reneging on pledges to the people, HRCP has warned the government that such tactics will aggravate the national crisis and add to the people’s frustration. In a statement issued here today, HRCP Chairperson Asma Jahangir and Co-chairperson Iqbal Haider have said:

 

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan unequivocally condemns the reported directive to the Geo TV to refrain from reporting or discussing certain developments and Pemra’s refusal to grant licence to its English channel. Regardless of the source of these restrictions they constitute an assault on media freedom that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. That the judiciary should start wielding the hatchet against the media bodes ill for both and we hope reason will prevail before the situation worsens.

 

As if the opening of a new front against the media were not enough, the government has deemed it appropriate to observe the anniversary of the May 12, 2007 carnage in Karachi with use of force to prevent a peaceful demonstration by lawyers in that city. The incident amounts to reneging on democratic sounding pledges made to the people only a few weeks ago. It seems necessary to warn the authorities responsible for reviving authoritarian tactics that attacks on the people’s most fundamental liberties will boomerang on them. The times demand earnest endeavours to alleviate the plight of the people. The country cannot afford any continuation of the dictatorial policies that have brought the nation to the present pass.

 

 

Iqbal Haider Co-Chairperson

Asma Jahangir Co-Chairperson

Black Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the residence of the Secretary General of HRCP

Black Flag Hoisting Ceremony held at the residence of Mr. Iqbal Haider, the Secretary General of HRCP, March 10, 2008

***

Endorsing the call of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, President Supreme Court Bar Association to commemorate the Black Flag Week in and outside Pakistan from March 9 – 16, 2008, and to express HRCP’s solidarity with the lawyers’ movement, the Black Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at the residence of Mr. Iqbal Haider, the Secretary General of HRCP on Monday, the 10th of March 2008 at 05:00 pm.

*

Prominent among the participants were Ms. Zohra Yusuf, Vice Chairperson, HRCP Mr. Asad Iqbal Butt, Council Member HRCP, Ms. Uzma Noorani, Council Member, HRCP, Mr. Roland D’Souza, Council Member, HRCP, Mr. Manzoor Razi, Railway Workers Union, Mr. Liqauat Sahi, Democratic Workers Union of State Bank, Mr. Ayub Qureshi, National Party, Mr. Rahat Saeed, Irtiqa Foundation, Dr. Riaz, International Socialist Party,  Mr. Akhter Baloch, Mr. Kamran Noorani, Mr. Riaz of Shirkatgah, Mr. Jan Alam of  PPP, Mr. Ali Yawar, Mr. Abdul Hai, Mr. Jawed Iqbal Burqi, Ms. Tarranum Khan and Mr. Muhammad Ejaz Ahsan, Program Coordinator of HRCP.

HRCP endorses Aitzaz Ahsan’s call for Black Flag Week

Press Release,  March 8 

HRCP endorses the call of Aitzaz Ahsan to commemorate the Black Flag Week and the Black Flag Hoisting at the residence of Mr. Iqbal Haider to be held on Monday, the 10th of March 2008 at 05:00 pm.   

Karachi: In a statement issued to the press, the Vice Chairperson of HRCP, Ms. Zohra Yusuf said that the HRCP endorses the call of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, President Supreme Court Bar Association to commemorate the Black Flag Week in and outside Pakistan from March 9 – 16, 2008, to express HRCP’s solidarity with the lawyers’ movement.   

The Black Flag Hoisting Ceremony at the residence of Mr. Iqbal Haider, the Secretary General of HRCP (D-25, Block 4, Clifton, just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar, Off. 26th Street, Karachi) would be held on Monday, the 10th of March 2008 at 05:00 pm. 

She requested all the lawyers, concerned citizens of Pakistan, journalists, activists of the civil society, representatives of trade unions,  and activists and members of HRCP, to be there to show their solidarity with the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of the judiciary, rule of law and supremacy of the constitution of Pakistan. 

Zohra Yusuf

Vice Chairperson, Sindh

*******************

Take part in the events that observe the Black Flag Day in your cities. You can get information about the major events at: http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com/ 

If your event is not shown on this blog please email blackflagweek@gmail.com with details of the event and it will be updated shortly.

Iftikhar Day

Iftikhar Day, January 31, 2008

Endorsing the call of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and Karachi Bar Association to celebrate the Iftikhar Day on January 31, 2008, activists of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and representatives of several civil society organizations gathered outside the Karachi Press Club, with the portraits of Chief Justice Iftikahr Chaudhry, and expressed solidarity with the lawyers’ movement for the freedom of justice in Pakistan. Participants chanted anti-government slogans and held banners and placards demanding restoration of deposed judges, the constitution and revival of human rights in Pakistan.

Later on a rally of hundreds of lawyers, led by Mr. Munir A. Malik, Mr. Rasheed A. Rizvi and Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, also joined the demonstrators at Karachi Press Club.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Munir A. Malik and Mr. Rasheed Rizvi strongly demanded that:

· Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhry, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan and other judges of Supreme Court and high courts should immediately be re-instated.

· Mr. Tariq Mehmood Advocate, Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd and Mr. Aitazaz Ahsan must be released immediately

· Curb on print and electronic media should be lifted;

· Lawyers, political and human rights activists arrested all over the country must immediately be released unconditionally;

· Freedom of association and political activities should not be curbed