PAKISTAN’S re-election to the UN Human Rights Council and that too with an overwhelming majority securing 169 votes indeed is a big diplomatic achievement and it is in fact recognition of the country’s contribution to national and global human rights agenda and strong credentials as a consensus builder in the world body.
Elections were held in New York on Tuesday. Among the five candidates from the Asia-Pacific region vying for four seats, Pakistan secured the highest number of votes. Pakistan is currently serving on the HRC since 1st January, 2018. With its re-election, Pakistan will continue as a member for another three-year term commencing on January 1, 2021. Since the HRC’s establishment in 2006, this is the fifth time that Pakistan has been elected to the United Nations’ premier body on human rights. This has provided a unique opportunity as also stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood while talking to the media on Tuesday to stay actively engaged with the Council and continue to highlight the plight of Kashmiris and other oppressed people all over the world. India has broken all records of atrocities and oppression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These have also been extensively documented in the various reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the independent Special Procedure Mandate Holders. Whilst it is for Pakistan to forcefully raise the voice of oppressed Kashmiri people, it is also for the world body to act to stop the persecution of innocent people in the occupied territory. Pressure should be built on New Delhi to lift inhumane military siege and communications blackout. A Commission of Inquiry must be sent to the occupied territory to probe into the Indian brutalities against innocent Kashmiris. Expressing his pleasure over Pakistan’s re-election to the Rights Council, Prime Minister Imran Khan also vowed that the country would continue raising its voice against Islamophobia and in support of mutual respect. Since there is a surge in Islamophobia cases especially in Europe and India, Pakistan has persistently raised the problem at several multilateral forums including the UN General Assembly. We have no doubt in saying this hate and negative attitude against Muslims pose a major threat to world peace and security. The world should join hands to curb these anti-Muslim sentiments and the Rights Council has a bigger role to play in this regard.
