Tribute to
Asma Jahangir, Speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry in
The UN Human Rights Council 37th
Session in Geneva, 13 March 2018
Mr
Chairman
Asma Jahangir was a voice of the voiceless people of Pakistan; and
sadly, that voice is no more. To write a tribute to such a great personality
with international reputation is extremely difficult.
Asma was very prominent human rights activist, who was courageous and
ardent critic of anti-democratic forces. Time and again she fearlessly
challenged forces of extremism. She also challenged the might of the military
junta and defended fundamental rights of all citizens of Pakistan.
As a human rights lawyer, she defended the rule of law; and was always
at the forefront in defending minorities, women and the marginalised people.
She was extremely concerned about honour killing, disfigurements, and the
prevailing slavery like conditions in parts of Pakistan.
Asma Jahangir did not want her fellow citizens to live in fear and sub
human conditions. She once said, "Look,
crime takes place in every country. "But it becomes abuse when the state
is unwilling and unable to protect the life and honour of its citizens. That is
the shocking part of it.”
Mr Chairman
Asma Jahangir was the founding Chairperson of the Human
Rights Commission of Pakistan, an independent group, which has done tremendous
work in promoting fundamental rights of all citizens and opposing anti -
democratic forces. Through consistent work and
pressure the HRCP, hundreds of missing people were freed.
While defending rule of law
and promoting fundamental rights of all citizens, irrespective of their
religious or cultural backgrounds, she was always bold and proactive; and never
minced words.
For her work and
dedication, she was arrested and imprisoned. There were even threats to her
life from various quarters, but she never hesitated to challenge the might of
the military establishment and secret agencies. Throughout her life she
championed the cause of weak and religious minorities; and was rightly won
international awards. She was a trustee of the International Crisis Group; and
served as the United Nations rapporteur on human rights and extrajudicial
killings.
Like so many others, she was
also accused of being a ‘traitor’ and an ‘agent’ of India by certain quarters,
whose job it is to target those who promote peace and harmony in the region;
and who preach tolerance, justice for all and equality.
In the wake of serious threat
to her life, a suggestion was made that she should leave the country she said:
“I will not leave. My
ancestors are buried here, and my life is here.”
When the establishment and
right wing parties criticised her for not speaking about the plight of Kashmir
people she said and I quote:
“Yes, I am very
unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in
India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa,
but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my
own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more
passion for them. I think it sounds very hollow if I keep talking about the
rights of Kashmiris but do not talk about the rights of a woman in Lahore who
is butchered to death.” 1
Mr Chairman, in this
statement, Asma Jahangir left a message for people of former Princely State of
Jammu and Kashmir who live on the Pakistani side of the divide as well.
She meant, how can you show
concern about the plight of the people on the other side of the divide; while
you continue to ignore the sufferings of the people on this side of the divide.
Reference:
Asma
Jahangir, Fearless Pakistani Rights Activist, Dies at 66, by SALMAN
MASOOD FEB. 11, 2018 New York Times,
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