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Date: September 01, 2005 NCHR should be independent both administratively and financially
Islamabad. Establishment of National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) is not a new practice, as in many countries of the world the commissions of such type are functioning successfully. It was said in a seminar organized by Parliamentarians Commission of Human Rights (PCHR) in collaboration with Asia Pacific Forum (APF) in Best Western Hotel, Islamabad. Chairman PCHR Mr. Riaz Fatyana MNA, said that the driving force behind establishment of NCHR is that government become publicly accountable to the citizens and to the world for the efforts they make towards ensuring the full enjoyment of human rights by their people. Federal Minister for Tourism Dr. G.G. Jamal honored the seminar as Chief Guest and remarked that it is timely effort of PCHR and APF for presenting government, the appropriate ways and means to improve proposed legislation for the establishment of National Commission for Human Rights in due course of time. Of course, this effort will imprint long-lasting results in any effort to establish national human rights institutions in the country including the proposed NCHR. He added that history has taught us differently, because a body that is in some way separated from the responsibilities of executive governance and judicial administration is in a position to take a leading role in the field of human rights. By maintaining its real and perceived distance from the government of the day, such a body can make a unique contribution to a country's efforts to protect its citizens and to develop a culture respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Large number of people from media, civil society organizations and legislators participated in the seminar. Asia Pacific Forum was represented by Mr. Stephen Clark, Mr. N. Selvakkuram and Mr. Byunghoom Oh. Chief Coordinator PCHR Mr. Shafique Chaudhry presented his welcome address outlining the challenges demanding urgent establishment of NCHR in Pakistan. Later on, Mr. Stephen Clark presented detailed presentation on national human rights institutions. In addition to this, Mr. Selvakkuram and Mr. Byunghoom gave detailed sketch of human rights commission working in South Korea and Sri Linka.
In the end, member National Assembly, Mr. Asad Ullah Bhutto, Mehnaz Raffi MNA, Senator Maulana Ibrahim MNA, Rubina Qaimkhani MNA, Shamin Akhter MNA, Afsar Begum MNA, Shabeena Talat MNA, Professor Khalid Wahab MNA, benefited the seminar with their valuable suggestions and recommendations for future National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan.
Apart form this, many civil society organizations and diplomats also presented their suggestions and outputs for proposed National Commission for Human Rights. Chief Coordinator PCHR Mr. Shafique Chaudhry vowed that PCHR would submit these recommendations before National Assembly and Senate for incorporation in the proposed bill on NCHR.
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