Human Rights Commission of Pakistan decries new law as violation of international rights
HRCP Criticizes Pakistan's Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, describing it as a 'draconian' law that undermines fundamental freedoms. HRCP Secretary-General Harris Khalique stated that the law violates Articles 8 and 16 of Pakistan's Constitution and breaches international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
HRCP-appointed lawyer Asfand Yar Warraich reviewed the law and explained that it severely restricts the right to peaceful assembly by limiting protests to designated areas far from their intended audiences. The law also imposes strict permission requirements, preventing spontaneous gatherings. Warraich expressed concerns about severe penalties for 'unlawful' assemblies and the lack of clear guidelines for using force to disperse protests.
Civil society has criticized the government for 'double standards,' allowing violent far-right groups to mobilize freely while suppressing peaceful protests by ordinary citizens. Pakistan has faced criticism for its human rights record, including restrictions on freedom of expression, religious freedom, and gender equality.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Pakistan's blasphemy laws target religious minorities, leading to violence or imprisonment. Amnesty International has highlighted issues like enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and targeting of journalists and activists. Gender-based violence, discrimination against religious minorities, and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights remain significant issues in Pakistan.
Doubts Revealed
HRCP
HRCP stands for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. It is an organization that works to protect and promote human rights in Pakistan.
Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024
This is a new law in Pakistan that is supposed to manage how people can gather peacefully in public places. However, some people think it is too strict and takes away their freedom to protest.
Draconian
Draconian means very harsh or severe. When someone calls a law draconian, they mean it is too strict and unfair.
Fundamental freedoms
These are basic rights that every person should have, like the freedom to speak, gather, and express themselves without fear.
Civil society
Civil society refers to groups and organizations that work for the interests of the public, like NGOs, community groups, and activists.
Double standards
Double standards mean treating similar situations differently, often unfairly. It is like having one rule for some people and a different rule for others.
Blasphemy laws
Blasphemy laws are rules that punish people for saying or doing things that are considered disrespectful to religious beliefs. In some places, these laws can be very strict.
Gender-based violence
This is violence directed at someone because of their gender, like hitting or hurting someone because they are a girl or a boy.
Discrimination against minorities
This means treating people unfairly because they belong to a smaller or different group, like a different religion or culture, than the majority of people.
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