Human Rights Day Event in Pakistan Calls for Action to Combat Minority Persecution

Human Rights Focus Pakistan marked Human Rights Day with a call to action against rising minority persecution. The event emphasized the UN's theme of 'Everyday Essentials,' highlighting urgent human rights issues. Speakers urged societal participation, educational reforms, and legislative effectiveness to foster an inclusive society with equal rights for all.

On December 10, Human Rights Focus Pakistan held an event to commemorate Human Rights Day at Vision Hall, Faisalabad, aligning with this year's United Nations theme, "Reaffirming the Values of Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials." This gathering aimed at reinforcing core human rights principles, emphasizing their relevance in daily life during times of social instability.

Civil society members, lawyers, political leaders, activists, and professionals from all over Pakistan joined the event physically and virtually. Naveed Walter, HRFP's president, expressed concern that despite efforts, serious human rights violations, especially against minorities like Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyyas, are often overlooked. He pointed out the destructive rise in false blasphemy accusations impacting countless innocent lives, particularly involving minority girls facing abductions and forced conversions.

Walter stressed the need for renewed focus and collective action per the UN's theme to address abuses on religious, gender, race, and ethnic bases. The event welcomed the National Minorities Commission Bill 2025 but urged attention to legislation enforcement. Calls for societal engagement, educational reforms, and tackling systemic discrimination resonated among speakers to build an inclusive future.

Speakers highlighted ongoing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, and conflicts that further undermine human rights. Victims shared personal stories of discrimination, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures against workplace injustices and societal biases. The HRFP event culminated in a peaceful protest advocating for equity, religious freedom, and an end to the misuse of blasphemy laws, alongside cries for substantial educational and legal reforms.