A Discussion Forum with Pakistani Human Rights Activists and Academics
Pakistan has insisted that countering terrorism is not only necessary for global peace but also for ensuring national stability. There have been a series of military-led operations aiming at eliminating militant hideouts and leaders, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan. However, these operations have been criticised for their short-term and low-impact objectives. They have also been attributed to the increase in state-led human rights violations in the name of national security.
Some of these (alleged) violations include a surge in enforced disappearances; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government and its agencies; arbitrary detention; unlawful civilian deaths; severe restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom; substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association; restrictive laws on the workings of non-governmental organisations; and coerced and forced return of refugees.
As a member of the UN, Pakistan must also comply with its obligations under international law, particularly international human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law. It should ensure that its counterterrorism legislation, strategies, and operations respect human rights for all. The rule of law and civic engagement must form the basis of the fight against terrorism.
With senior human rights activists and academics from Pakistan, this seminar discusses the vexed question of how national security and human rights can be considered complementary and not competing goals?
Speakers
- Harris Khalique, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
- Dr. Arshi Saleem-Hashmi, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University of Pakistan
- Professor Shaheen Sardar Ali, School of Law, University of Warwick, UK
Dr. Helge Årsheim, Associate Professor at NCHR, will chair the discussion. Welcome Remarks will be given by Dr. Nina Reiners, Associate Professor and leader of the Research Group ‘Global Challenges to Human Rights’ at NCHR.
Light refreshments will be served.
Please register your attendance through the link below.
Practical information
The seminar will be held in room 8113, on the 8th floor of Domus Juridica. If you do not have access to the building, please get in touch with Katarina Lavrinenko Friis-Olsen at k.l.friis-olsen@nchr.uio.no/+47 40603532
