Fahy, Margeret --- "Asma Jahangir, Pakistan Human Rights Comission Chairperson Visits Australia" [1996] HRightsDef 29; (1996) Human Rights Defender

Asma Jahangir, Pakistani Human Rights Commission

Chairperson Visits Australia

By Margeret Fahy

Media coverage of Islamic societies such as Pakistan concentrate on the violations of human rights but rarely focus on vibrant, grass root organisations that fight not only to change society but to uphold human rights; as a result of this lack of coverage these organisations do not receive the encouragement they justly deserve. Asma Jahangir, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission in Pakistan, recently paid a visit to Australia under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade `Special Visitors Program' in an attempt to address this situation and to develop closer links with Australia.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a non-governmental organisation, is often at the centre of controversial cases, trying to defend the rights of women, minority groups, families trapped into bonded labour, child labour, penal reform and the environment.

Presently the Commission is embroiled in a bitter struggle between a father who is determined to establish that his daughter (Saima) cannot marry a partner of her own choice. Abdul Waheed (the father) has taken the case to the Lahore High Court and is pleading that according to Islamic Shari'a law a daughter cannot marry without the consent of her male guardian. The Commission became involved in the case when Siama escaped from her home and sought refuge from her family for fear of being forced to marry another man. Since the Commission's involvement in Saima's case it has had to deal with accusations of corruption and kidnapping and the refuge where Saima is now staying for safety reasons has been the subject of violent attacks. These attacks and allegations are not isolated to the Commission, Asma Jahangir has had her own home attacked after she represented two Christian boys who were charged with blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. The boys were sentenced to death but on appeal were acquitted.

It is important to note that there is little official publicity surrounding the Human Rights Commission in Pakistan and the role it plays as a protector and advocate for human rights, yet, in a country where the literacy rate is very low, approximately 25%, its work has become widely known.

Asma Jahangir has a distinguished record in promoting human rights in Pakistan and has earned an international reputation for her work. Even though at times she works in a very hostile environment, these difficulties have not dissuaded her or the Commission from playing a prominent role in the promotion and protection of human rights in Pakistan.

Whilst in Australia Asma expressed that she is keen to gain a better understanding of human rights issues in Australia and to see whether some of Australian strategies to address human rights problems could be translated to Pakistan. She also stated an interest in developing an education and information network with other human rights advocates, academics and scholars who have an interest in formulating law reform policy and legal education, particularly for women.

Margaret Fahy is a law student and works with the Australian Human Rights Information Centre.