DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR), in collaboration with the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), and with support from the European Union, organized a high-level consultation titled *“UN Human Rights Instruments and Processes: Strengthening Advocacy for Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety.”*
The event brought together representatives from key government bodies, civil society, and media, emphasizing the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing media freedom and journalist protection in Pakistan.
The consultation aimed to equip participants with practical skills to engage with UN human rights mechanisms such as Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). It also focused on enhancing evidence-based advocacy and inclusive representation in international processes.
PCHR Executive Director Shafique Chaudhry highlighted the role of UN mechanisms in advancing media freedoms. “Building synergies between state institutions, civil society, and the media is key to safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting journalists,” he said.
Nasir Hussain, Vice President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), stressed the need for such initiatives amid growing threats to independent journalism. “Journalists must be protected both nationally and through access to international platforms,” he said.
Rizwan Ullah of NCHR Peshawar reiterated the Commission’s commitment to press freedom, particularly in regions like KP. “Local actors must be empowered to represent ground realities at the global level,” he noted.
The consultation was part of the broader *Digital Media and Freedoms in Pakistan* program, aimed at fostering a safer and more enabling environment for media professionals across the country.
