The APF met with the Chairperson of Pakistan’s NHRI to discuss the institution’s priorities and potential areas of APF support.

The APF has met with Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) to discuss the institution’s priorities and potential areas of APF support.

During the meeting, held virtually on 14 June, NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha highlighted some of the human rights challenges in Pakistan, including the ongoing incidence of violence and discrimination against women, journalists, and vulnerable groups. She also identified mental health as an issue of concern, with the Commission currently working to develop a Mental Health Act.

Pip Dargan, APF Principal Adviser, Capacity Assessments and International Engagement, provided an overview of the APF’s services to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific, which include supporting NHRI leadership through high-level dialogues, capacity assessments and the APF Virtual Dialogue Series.

Ms Dargan also discussed the APF’s accreditation workshop which supports NHRIs to undergo the international accreditation process with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institution’s Sub-committee on Accreditation.

Christine Chung from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva also participated in the online meeting.

Established in 2015, the NCHR has a broad mandate and strong powers, including the ability to take suo moto notice of human rights violations, initiating investigations on its own motion even when no complaint has been filed, and to intervene in any court proceedings involving alleged violations of human rights.

The Commission also has the ability to visit jails, places of detention or any other government-controlled institution where persons are detained. In recent years, however, the Commission has faced challenges including a lack of staff and resources.

Ms Agha expressed a keen interest in participating in APF activities and drawing on the expertise of other NHRIs in the region to strengthen the Commission’s work and practices.

The APF looks forward to continuing to engage with the NCHR to support the institution in strengthening its capacity to protect and promote human rights in Pakistan.

Date: 21 June 2022