Human rights protection requires more than laws

KU seminar stresses implementation, access to justice and awareness of complaint mechanisms

IV Report

KARACHI: The protection of human rights requires not only laws and constitutional guarantees but also their effective implementation in everyday life, speakers at a seminar at the University of Karachi observed, while highlighting challenges ranging from delayed justice and prison conditions to lack of awareness about mechanisms for seeking redress.

KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Tufail said the principles of human rights and social justice had historical roots in Islamic teachings, while modern international frameworks had subsequently developed through instruments including the United Nations Charter.

He said the continued existence of rights-related problems showed that formal principles alone were insufficient and called for their effective implementation. He urged individuals and institutions to contribute according to their capacity, authority and reach.

Prof Tufail also emphasised the need to educate students and the wider public about human rights, including where, when and how complaints could be lodged in cases of rights violations. Awareness of relevant institutions and complaint mechanisms, he said, could help young people act as a bridge between citizens and institutions responsible for addressing grievances.

The seminar, organised by the KU Department of Criminology in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, was held at the Audio Visual Center on Friday as part of the university's Independence Day activities.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas, Director of the Ministry of Human Rights Dr Iqbal Pasha Sheikh, Deputy Director Ali Akbar Abro and Acting Chairperson of the Department of Criminology Professor Dr Nabeel Ahmed Zuberi were among the speakers.

The participants stressed the need to safeguard civil liberties, uphold equality and tolerance, and ensure the supremacy of law and justice, saying these principles were essential for building a fair and developed society.

Speaking on the occasion, journalist Mazhar Abbas said discussions on human rights could not be separated from the country's social realities, particularly when millions of children remained deprived of education.

He said laws and theoretical frameworks had their place, but their value ultimately depended on implementation. Referring to delays in the disposal of cases, he said a person receiving a verdict after decades could not be considered to have received complete justice because valuable years of life had already been lost. He described prolonged delays as tantamount to denial of justice.

Mr Abbas also drew attention to prison conditions, saying disparities in access to facilities could raise serious human rights concerns. He pointed to severe overcrowding and reported collection of money for basic facilities and other matters inside prisons as issues requiring attention, stressing that the treatment of prisoners should also be viewed through the lens of human dignity.

He said protection of rights required practical solutions to social problems rather than reliance on laws and regulations alone.

Prof Tufail appreciated the seminar as an effort to increase awareness and said greater public understanding of human rights could contribute to their protection.

A speech competition was also organised as part of the Independence Day programme, with participants highlighting human rights issues and their significance in Pakistan.

— Based on University of Karachi press release and photos