In 2018 the Research Society of International Law (RSIL) was engaged by the Federal Ministry of Human Rights to examine Pakistan’s State practice on international human rights and develop a roadmap for reform which brings Pakistan’s domestic legal landscape in line with its international human rights obligations.
On 21st January 2019, the RSIL team presented the draft of the report to a panel at the Ministry of Human Rights Pakistan. The panel included Dr. Shireen M Mazari (Minister for Human Rights), Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha (Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights), Mr. Muhammad Arshad (Director General (HR)), Mr. M. Hassan Mangi (Director General (IC)), Mr. Irfan Shabbir (Dy. Director (HR-I)).
Mr. Oves Anwar (Director RSIL) began the meeting with an overview of the international scope and domestic implementation of the 28 rights entailed in the report based on the International Conventions ratified by Pakistan. He discussed the states international obligations and the categorization of the human rights under social, economic, cultural, political and civil rights.
This was followed by a presentation by the Project Lead; Ms. Minahil Khan (Senior Research Fellow RSIL) who delivered a detailed analysis of the rights and their implementation in Pakistan. Existing law practices as well as pending laws in the form of bills were also scrutinised. This led to a discussion exploring the various strategies that may be adapted to implement human right laws in Pakistan and how this report can be utilized in doing so. The recommendations proposed in the report were appreciated by the panel and the report was applauded by the Minister as a remarkable effort by the RSIL team.
