Govt fully cognizant to safeguard rights of its people: HR Minister

ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 (APP):Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar on Monday said the government of Pakistan was fully cognizant to safeguard the rights of its people and had taken significant steps for social, political, economic and legal empowerment of women, children, minorities and persons with disabilities.
“Constitution of Pakistan obligates the state to guarantee fundamental human rights to all its citizens without any discrimination,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of first International Human Rights Conference held here at a local hotel.
The Minister mentioned that several provisions in the preamble [of Constitution], the chapter on Fundamental Rights and the chapter on Principles of Policy underlined principles of equal rights and equal treatment for all citizens without any discrimination on the basis of sex, cast, creed, color and religion.
The inaugural session of conference organized by the Ministry of Human Rights was also addressed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Law, Barrister Zafarullah Khan, experts and representatives of various international organizations and institutions including the UN.
The Minister said Pakistan had ratified all significant International Human Rights Conventions including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of Child Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Pakistan had positively responded to all the regional and international commitments with full conviction, dedication and zeal, he added.
Mumtaz Tarar said during the tenure of present democratic government, Pakistan had presented  five reports  on ratified Human Rights Conventions along with 3rd Universal Periodic Review Report  before concerned UN treaty Bodies.
Efforts were underway for implementation of these International Commitments at the grass roots level with coordination of relevant federal, provincial departments and UN agencies, he added.
The Minister said in view of the post 18th Constitutional Amendment scenario, Treaty Implementation Cells have been established by the Ministry of Human Rights at federal and provincial level for implementation of Ratified International Human Rights Conventions at the grass root level with coordination of relevant departments.
He said capacity building need of federal and provincial governments was being fulfilled through Capacity Building Module which had been prepared by the Ministry to build the capacity of the Government officials about UN system, International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.
The Minister said Human Rights Conventions have been translated in national language and shared with all relevant stakeholders for better understanding.