GENEVA
\nPakistan\u2019s ongoing peaceful transition of power following the February 8 \u201cfair\u201d election demonstrated the strength of the country\u2019s democratic tradition and values, Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi has said.
\n\u201cTens of millions of Pakistani citizens freely exercised their fundamental right to vote,\u201d Qazi told the high-level segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council \u2018s 55th session which began in Geneva on Monday.
\nPakistan, he said, was a staunch supporter in promoting universal respect for human rights, and remains a strong voice for protection, and indivisibility of all human rights. \u201cWe have always endeavoured to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and consensus at the Council,\u201d the foreign secretary added.
\nPakistan, he said, had also contributed to the 47-member Council\u2019s work in areas of social and economic rights; religious intolerance; disinformation; rights of children, older persons and persons with disabilities; and the frontier issue of emerging technologies.
\n\u201cDespite many exogenous challenges,\u201d the foreign secretary said, \u201cour investment in strengthening social safety nets and improving standards of education and health continue\u201d, adding that an independent media and a strong civil society enrich Pakistan\u2019s human rights discourse domestically.
\n\u201cA few weeks ago, despite serious threat of foreign sponsored terrorism, Pakistan successfully held a peaceful and fair election… The peaceful transition of power, which is underway, demonstrates the strength of our democratic tradition and values which are essential to the enjoyment of civil and political rights,\u201d he told delegates.
\n\u201cAt the same time, we are cognizant that promotion of human rights is a journey, which we are fully committed to pursue for progress and prosperity of our people,\u201d he added.
\nIn his remarks, the foreign secretary reiterated Pakistan\u2019s demand that the Council establish a Commission of Inquiry into the Indian occupation forces\u2019 s human rights abuses and atrocities in Kashmir, as also an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
\n\u201cIn Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K),\u201d he said, \u201cIndia\u2019s settler colonial project continues in full swing in breach of UN Charter, Security Council resolutions and international law.
\nPointing out that rubber-stamping by the Indian Supreme Court in December of India\u2019s unlawful actions of 5th August 2019 was a serious travesty of justice, Qazi said that political and demographic engineering of the occupied territory was being carried out by the world\u2019s self-professed largest democracy through an outsized military presence and draconian laws.
\n\u201cIn doing so, India continues to systematically violate every single basic human right of Kashmiri people\u201d, he said, referring to arbitrary arrests, torture, summary executions, confiscation of properties, destruction of homes and excessive surveillance that have been inflicted upon the brave Kashmiris.
\n\u201cFreedom of assembly, expression and religion has been outlawed; and political parties banned. Kashmiri political leaders, journalists and human rights activists remain incarcerated, and some face death penalties under fabricated cases. Kashmiri women and children suffer several layers of institutionalized discrimination, abuse and violence,\u201d Qazi said.
\n\u201cWe urge the Council to act on the recommendations of the earlier two Kashmir reports and establish a Commission of Inquiry,\u201d he added. \u201cWe also ask India to grant unhindered access to global media, civil society groups, and UN human rights mechanisms to the occupied territory\u201d.
\nDealing with the situation in Palestine, the foreign secretary pointed out that longstanding denial of right to self-determination leads to suppression of other rights, and carries plausible risk of genocide. \u201cThis is what is unfolding in IIOJ&K as well as in occupied Palestine,\u201d he added.
\nPakistan, he said, condemned in the strongest terms Israel\u2019s brutal military aggression against the Palestinian people. \u201cPakistan, therefore, reiterates its demand for immediate and unconditional ceasefire as well as end to Israel\u2019s aggression against the Palestinian people.
\n\u201cWith a similar purpose, Pakistan has welcomed the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ (International Court of Justice) for Gaza, and called for their full and effective implementation.
\n\u201cEnduring peace in the Middle East is predicated on a just, comprehensive lasting solution to the Palestinian question,\u201d he said, adding that Pakistan supports creation of an independent and viable State of Palestine based on June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in line with applicable UN Security Council and OIC resolutions.
\n\u201cFrom the desecration of holy books to the demolitions of centuries old mosques to the bombing of ancient churches in Gaza, we must continue to condemn incidents of religious hatred, including Islamophobia,\u201d Qazi said.
\n\u201cThe Council has an important responsibility to remain united in the face of hate. Consensus is important but it should also be meaningful, and address legitimate concerns of all States,\u201d he added .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GENEVA Pakistan\u2019s ongoing peaceful transition of power following the February 8 \u201cfair\u201d election demonstrated the strength of the country\u2019s democratic tradition and values, Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi has said. \u201cTens of millions of Pakistani citizens freely exercised their fundamental right to vote,\u201d Qazi told the high-level segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":390121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-390109","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n