Dated: April 21, 2008

 

 

High Level US Delegation Visited PCHR Office, Discusses Democratic & Human Rights Situation in the Country

 

 

Islamabad:- A high level United States delegation led by Mr. David J. Kramer, Assistant Secretary of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and labor, including Political Counselor US Embassy Ms. Candace Putnam and Mr. Jason Jeffery Political officer US Embassy met with senior executives of Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) comprising of Chairman PCHR Mr. Riaz Fatyana Member National Assembly, Mir Nasrullah Khan Bajarani MNA, Mr. Ayatullah Durrani MNA, and Mr. Shafique Chaudhry Chief Coordinator PCHR, to discuss democratic situation and state of human rights in Pakistan. The visiting delegation was briefed in detail about human rights issues, challenges in different parts of the country particularly increasing political victimization insane, Baluchistan crisis mal-functioning of law enforcing agencies and deteriorating economic situation and social rights of common man of Pakistan. Chairman PCHR Riaz Fatyana informed the delegation that the commission is comprised of Parliamentarians of different political parties who work for the cause of human rights and strengthening democracy in the country. He appreciated the role of US in the social sector in the region and maintained that PCHR would work closely with US Institutions in Pakistan particularly in then field of human rights, education and social sector. US delegation assured that they would continue supporting Pakistani society to counter human rights violation and strengthen democracy in the country.

 

Chief Coordinator PCHR Mr. Shafique Chaudhry briefed the US led delegation about the PCHR   activities and programmes .He informed them that in recent five years, PCHR members have effectively raised many Human rights issues on  the floor of parliament through submitting calling attention notices, assembly questions, resolutions, adjournment motions and Bills. Chief coordinator provided detail overview of various legislative bills submitted by PCHR and its future legislative and administrative agenda. He said that some new legislative initiatives regarding human rights are under process and would be presented in late July this year. These include, Anti-torture bill, Gender justice bill, Minorities protection bill, Social protection bill, national Commission on Human Rights Bill. He stated that PCHR finalizes its priorities by consulting national and international experts and organizations to ensure that the parliamentarians are guided by all available expertise in the area of Human Rights. He further told that PCHR was operating a citizen’s complaint cell where the parliamentarians themselves receive and respond to people’s complaints of rights violations. US Asstt Sec. of state Mr Davi Kramer appreciated the efforts of PCHR and assured his support and cooperation in all efforts for strengthening democracy and promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

 

 

Media Cell PCHR

Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights, Pakistan