The Aryavarth Express
Faisalabad (Pakistan):
Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) observed International Human Rights Day on December 10 at Vision Hall in Faisalabad, aligning with the United Nations’ 2025 theme, “Reaffirming the Values of Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.” The event highlighted how human rights shape daily life and stressed the importance of reinforcing these values amid rising global uncertainty and social instability.
The program brought together a wide range of participants—including civil society members, lawyers, political and religious leaders, women activists, students, youth, and professionals—joining both in person and virtually from across all provinces, according to an official statement.
HRFP President Naveed Walter expressed deep concern over growing human rights violations across Pakistan. He underscored the persistent persecution of minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyyas, whose cases often go unnoticed. Walter pointed to the increasing misuse of blasphemy laws, which continues to result in violence, imprisonment, and attacks on minority communities. He also highlighted the repeated abductions of Christian and Hindu girls, calling the situation “alarming” and in dire need of urgent attention.
Walter emphasized that the UN’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials,” should inspire renewed action to support victims and protect vulnerable families. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to address abuses rooted in religion, gender, race, and ethnicity, adding that meaningful progress is possible when all stakeholders work together to ensure dignity, respect, and freedom for every citizen.
HRFP welcomed the passage of the National Minorities Commission Bill 2025 in Pakistan’s National Assembly—a reform the organization has been advocating for since the Supreme Court’s 2014 directive issued by Chief Justice Tassadaq Hussain Gillani. However, HRFP cautioned that legislation alone is insufficient without effective implementation and independence of such bodies. The organization urged society to take an active role in safeguarding human rights and building an inclusive future, while speakers called for educational reforms to promote peace and tolerance.
Prominent speakers—including Raja Thomas, Ejaz Ghouri, Shamshad Gill, James Lal, John Victor, Bushra Bibi, Sadaf Shadman, Shahida Parveen, and Sohail Emmanuel—highlighted ongoing injustices against minorities, women, and children. They expressed concern over the poor enforcement of the 5% minority job quota, lack of exchange programs for minority students, and persistent inequalities that marginalize young people. They also drew attention to broader challenges—such as poverty, climate change, conflict, gender inequality, and systemic discrimination—that continue to undermine human rights globally.
During the event, several victims shared testimonies of discrimination and persecution based on faith. HRFP detailed the ongoing hardships minorities face, including physical violence, false accusations in workplaces, murders tied to personal disputes, and forced conversions and marriages involving minority girls. The organization called for immediate action to end abuse against domestic workers, unjust job dismissals, fabricated charges, and widespread hate speech and misinformation targeting minority communities.
HRFP Program Coordinator Shadman John and Field Coordinator Hamdosh Samuel thanked participants and distributed HRFP’s REAT Helpline brochures aimed at helping marginalized groups seek justice and support.
The event concluded with a peaceful demonstration, where participants carried placards demanding human rights, equality, and religious freedom for all. Protesters called for an end to forced conversions, abductions, workplace harassment, religious discrimination, and misuse of blasphemy laws. They also advocated for curriculum reforms and stronger national commitments to equality and justice.
Participants chanted slogans such as:
“Our Everyday Essentials – Notice Now,”
“Yes to Human Rights, No to Violations,”
“Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” and
“Let’s Struggle to Ensure Freedom, Equality, and Justice for All.”
