Karachi, December 10, 2021—The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), along with European Union funded project Huqooq-e-Pakistan, held an event today to mark International Human Rights Day and to create awareness on human rights.

The event aimed to raise public awareness on human rights principles, available policies, initiatives, and human rights mechanisms that can be accessed by rights holders in Sindh, especially vulnerable groups. The event also included distribution of food relief packages to marginalized communities, including widows, transgender persons, and religious and ethnic minorities, affected by economic aftermath of COVID-19.

The event was organized under NCHR’s human rights advocacy and awareness-raising mandate. As an independent state institution, NCHR is also working towards promotion and protection of human rights by review of existing and proposed legislation and policies, research, and technical advice to government on inter-ministerial and inter-provincial legislative and policy coherence, and facilitation of dialogue and engagement between government and civil society. UNDP has been providing technical support to NCHR in planning and implementation of initiatives that support its mandate.

During the event, Chief Guest and Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights, Ms. Rabiya Javeri said, “The economic impact of COVID-19 and high inflation rates have adversely affected the most vulnerable groups in the society. Although this distribution is only a drop in the ocean, it is a small attempt to provide monthly ration packages to those most affected by poverty and economic inequality.”

Ms. Anis Haroon, NCHR Member Sindh said, “To remove inequalities our society needs to get rid of class biases and believe in universality of human rights: equal opportunities of education, health and livelihood for all."

On the International Human Rights Day, UNDP Pakistan’s Assistant Resident Representative Mr. Kaiser Ishaque congratulated the National Commission for Human Rights on their continued commitment to protect and promote human rights, especially on the protection of the rights of the marginalised groups in Sindh. “UNDP and NCHR have a rich history of collaboration. UNDP looks forward to supporting NCHR in its mandated role of advancing human rights in Pakistan,” he said.

UNDP is supporting Pakistan to fulfil its Human Rights obligations and addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination, affecting the most vulnerable people. We aim to build forward better, and to leave no one behind. 

For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha.babar@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5650

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