State of human rights in the country

THIS is an issue to which we have repeatedly drawn the attention of the government. Our fears and concerns have once again been reflected by Ain O Shalish Kendra (ASK), the leading human rights watchdog in the country. The figures are dismal, those being worse than the previous year's. It is even more perturbing when we see that it is the state agencies which are the greatest threat to human security in the country, when the contrary should be the case. The obvious consequence is the sapping of confidence in the state.

The most vital areas of concern are 'enforced disappearances' 'crossfire and custodial' deaths. We feel that both are avoidable and preventable. And it will be possible if the law enforcing agencies, particularly the Rab, on whom fingers have been pointed for a long time, are strongly monitored and their transgressions severely dealt with and the perpetrators made examples of.   

It is a sad reflection on the state of governance in the country when international HR watchdogs excoriate our elite force with routine regularity. We endorse the remarks of the Executive Director of Ask that the elite force must operate within their terms of reference. It is our contention too that there has been lax oversight as well as partisan use of force that have given them a sense of impunity.

The first step to good governance is the rule of law and accountability of the state agencies. If the government is serious about delivering good governance then it must address the situation in earnest.