70-plus rights-related laws enacted in a decade, says Tarar
Addressing a high-level segment of the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, he highlighted Pakistan's robust legislative and policy measures.
The minister underscored that over 70 human rights-related laws have been enacted in the past decade, with the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment recognising a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a fundamental right, a milestone in Pakistan's human rights framework.
He also announced Pakistan's resumption of 88 voluntary contributions to key UN trust funds, including those for victims of torture, UPR implementation, and the participation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the Council.
Pakistan's engagement with international human rights mechanisms remains steadfast, with the Minister noting that the country underwent its 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2023, accepting 70% of the recommendations and committing to their implementation. The mid-term UPR report will be submitted soon, reinforcing Pakistan's proactive approach to human rights commitments.
Addressing global human rights concerns, the minister condemned Israel's ongoing atrocities in occupied Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and reiterated that forced displacement and demographic re-engineering violate fundamental principles of international law. He urged the international community to take decisive action to uphold Palestinian rights.
The minister also denounced India's illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and its continued denial of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination.
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