'Kashmiris must be given right of self-determination'
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Muhammad Wasi Zafar Thursday said the people of Indian held Kashmir must be given their right of self-determination provided for in the UN Security Council resolutions.

He said "In the current dialogue process between Pakistan and India, in order to improve the deteriorating human rights situation, and to work towards a just resolution of this long standing dispute, we have made a number of constructive proposals".

These include working out mutually acceptable modalities for associating the True Representatives of the Kashmiri people with the dialogue process and the appointment of High Representative, of both countries, with a defined mandate to promote a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in association with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

He stated this while speaking at the High Level Segment of the 61st Commission on Human Rights held at Geneva Thursday, says a fax message received here.

Recently, he said, Pakistan and India have agreed to start a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. Pakistan wants to work sincerely and earnestly for a win solution. As we strive towards this goal, the rights of the Kashmiris cannot be shelved.

He said thousands of Kashmiris have lost their lives or have disappeared and the Kashmiri people and their leaders face restriction on political activities as well as on the freedom of their expression and opinion.

Wasi Zafar said with 33% seats in the local bodies, about 36,000 women councillors are working in all tiers of the local government and nearly 20 percent of the parliamentary seats are occupied by women. The National Commission on the Status of Women is not only focused on eliminating discrimination against women but also creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.

Wasi Zafar said the Constitution of Pakistan and laws provide equal status and rights of the followers of all religions. The separate electorate system has been replaced with joint electorates in repose to the demand by minorities.

In addition, 10 seats in the federal parliament and 23 in provincial parliaments have been reserved for minorities, he added. He said the National Commission on Child welfare and development ensure the fulfilment of our obligations as signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Minister for Law and Justice said many reforms in law and the legal system are in the pipeline. These will be presented before the parliament soon and We fiercely pursue criminals who violate human rights and are refining our legal instruments and streamlining our administrative machinery, he added.

He said a fair and balanced international human rights system is vital for the promotion and protection of human rights globally. He said "The Commission on Human Rights is a pivotal organ of the United Nations for achieving this goal and states as well as civil society need to work together to free the Commissioner of politicization.

Wasi Zafar said Islam does not recognize any prejudice on the basis of caste, creed, colour or religion. "At his final congregation, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) gave a vision of the society based on principles of fairness, equality, justice, brotherhood, peace and opportunities for all, Islam demands greater emphasis on Haqooq-ul-Ibad (rights of People) than Haqooq-Allah (Rights of God)", he added. 

He said one cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding are extremely important for the promotion of human rights within societies as well as the international level. In this spirit, he said, President Musharraf has presented the concept of "enlightened moderation" aims at promoting understanding, harmony and cooperation between Islam and other religions and culture.

Minister for Law and Justice said making laws are easy, implementing them need commitment, effort and capacity building. Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment often contribute to human rights violations so that international community should focus its attention on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights including the right to development, he added. 

He said the governments have an obligation to protect their citizens against crimes and criminals and this should not be seen as a license to impunity. In Pakistan, he said, "we are committed to realize the vision of our founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah of a modern, moderate and tolerant Pakistan".

Tracing the landmark decision taken by Pakistan government, Wasi Zafar said President Musharraf has announced the establishment of an Independent Human Rights Commission which would be a statutory body conferred with board and wide-ranging powers to investigate human rights abuses.

He said the democracy is consolidating in Pakistan and the Parliament and provincial assemblies, are functional as legislative bodies and forums for debate on national issues. The local government system has ushered a new era of the true empowerment of the people at grass roots level. In all, 6458 of local governments are working with financial and administrative autonomy.●