Pakistan Marks Universal Human Rights Day 2025, Parliamentarians Reaffirm Commitment to Constitutional Freedoms

International News Report Muhammad Saleem — Islamabad, Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan observed Universal Human Rights Day 2025 on December 10 with a seminar organized by the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). The event highlighted the global theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” emphasizing that human rights must remain central to national policy, governance, and legislative reforms.

The seminar brought together prominent parliamentarians, including Mr. Mohammad Riaz Fatyana, MNA and Chairman PCHR; Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA and Chairperson Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming; Ms. Shahida Rehmani, MNA and Secretary, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus; Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, MNA; Mr. Naveed Amir Jeeva, MNA; Senator Danesh Kumar; Senator Kamran Michael; and Mr. Kamal-ud-Din Tipu, Chairperson of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals.

The seminar was also attended by senior officials including Mr. Muhammad Tariq Chauhan, Director General of the National Police Bureau, and Mr. Shafique Chaudhry, Executive Director PCHR, along with members of civil society, lawyers, journalists, academia, and ambassadors from the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, and Germany.

In his keynote, Chairman PCHR Mohammad Riaz Fatyana stressed that protecting fundamental rights—such as freedom of expression, equality before the law, due process, non-discrimination, and the right to a fair trial—is a shared national responsibility. He highlighted that safeguarding constitutional rights is essential to human dignity and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

Kamal-ud-Din Tipu underlined the importance of Article 19 of the Constitution, stating, “Freedom of expression empowers citizens to reveal injustice and hold institutions accountable,” emphasizing its central role in transparency, democratic governance, and the realization of other human rights.

Executive Director Shafique Chaudhry reviewed key parliamentary actions in 2025 that advanced human rights protections while noting that achieving full human rights for all citizens remains an ongoing challenge requiring persistent commitment, legal reform, and collective responsibility.

As part of the observance, Human Rights Awards were presented to parliamentarians for their contributions to protecting and promoting the rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities. Awardees included:

Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain

Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA

Senator Danesh Kumar

Ms. Shahida Rehmani, MNA

Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, MNA

Senator Kamran Michael

Award recipients expressed gratitude, emphasizing that the recognition strengthens their resolve to advocate for justice, equality, and rights of marginalized communities in Parliament.

The seminar concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Pakistan’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, human dignity, and international human rights obligations, alongside a pledge by participating parliamentarians to further advance gender inclusivity, minority rights, freedom of expression, and other fundamental human rights, reinforcing their vision for an inclusive, just, and democratic society.