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Human Rights in Sindh

SOHRIS

HRCP Concerned Over ‘Shrinking Space’ For Human Rights Work

July 4, 2025

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the shrinking space for human rights defence work in the country, saying the rights body faced series of “arbitrary, illegal and unjustified actions”.

“In the past few months, HRCP has faced a series of arbitrary, illegal and unjustified actions that have impeded the organisation’s ability to carry out its mandate,” said HRCP’s chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt in a statement on 02-July-2025.

HRCP’s work is based on the rights of all citizens and persons, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan and the country’s international commitments and obligations.

“We note with disappointment that persons claiming to represent the security apparatus have obstructed the organisation of HRCP events by informing either the venue or our staff that a no-objection certificate was required for indoor meetings, although this is not a legal requirement,” the commission said in a statement.

“Two recent examples include a high-level consultation in Islamabad on regions facing militancy and terrorism and their impact on human rights, and a roundtable in Gilgit on local communities’ right to natural resources. Ironically, both the relevant legislators and government departments had confirmed their participation on both occasions,” it added.

Moreover, there have also been incidents across the country where our membership and staff faced harassment and intimidation. For the first time in HRCP’s decades-long history, its chairperson was taken in for questioning by the police in Karachi.

“We have reason to believe that other actions are not merely coincidental. These include an attempt to seal our office premises in Lahore in 2024, the removal of the office’s electricity meter, and a bank’s refusal to release our funds, citing a State Bank of Pakistan directive, the existence of which was categorically denied by the latter in writing when asked by a court,” the commission added.

They also urged the authorities to respect the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression, and to ensure that human rights defenders can operate without fear of reprisal or undue interference.

Civil society organisations such as HRCP are essential if Pakistan wishes to develop into a state that upholds the rights of all its citizens and remains responsible for their well-being. “More broadly, human rights work helps create a more tolerant and inclusive society — something that Pakistan is in dire need of at present,” it said.

Published in News Daily on 03 July 2025.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm4HJwp3Ws0
  • Human Rights
    • What are Human Rights?
    • Civil and Political Rights in Sindh
      • Freedom of Expression, Opinion, and Belief
      • Right to Life
      • Access to Justice
      • Right to Privacy
      • Right to Political Participation
      • Right to a Nationality
      • Freedom from Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment
      • Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination
      • Other Civil and Political Rights
    • Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Sindh
      • Right to Work
      • Right to Education
      • Right to Health & Healthy Environment
      • Right to Housing
      • Right to Food & Water
      • Right to Social Security
      • Right to Culture
      • Right to Information
      • Other Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
    • Rights of Vulnerable Populations in Sindh
      • Rights of Women
      • Rights of Children
      • Rights of Minorities
      • Rights of Labour
      • Rights of Persons with Special Abilities
      • Rights of Refugees and Migrants
      • Rights of Older Persons 
      • Rights of Transgender Persons
      • Rights of Other Vulnerable Populations
  • Policies & Laws
    • Constitution of Pakistan 1973
    • Sindh Laws
    • National Laws
    • Sindh Policies
    • National Policies
    • International HR Regimes
      • International HR Law
      • UN Core Treaties
      • Status of Treaty Ratifications by Pakistan
      • UN Treaties Compliance by Pakistan
      • International Labour Standards
      • Status of ILO Conventions Ratifications
      • Compliance of ILO Conventions by Pakistan
  • Institutions
    • Government Institutions Sindh
    • UN Agencies
    • CSOs
      • Submit Feedback
    • Helplines
  • Knowledge Base
    • Sindh Profile
    • Developments
    • Perspective
    • Research/Publications
      • All Publications
      • SHRC Publications
      • Business and HR Publications
    • Human Rights Violation Cases
    • Videos
    • International Days
  • About
    • Purpose of the Portal
    • Introduction to SHRC
    • Submit Feedback
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