Zubair Qureshi
Ambassador of France Nicolas Galey on Thursday reiterated his government’s commitment and belief in upholding fundamental human rights and protecting them.
“While conflicts have broken out in Europe, Middle East, Africa and while economic, environmental and health crises have destabilized or continue to destabilize many regions of the world, these rights are more relevant than ever,” the ambassador said. He was addressing a reception marking the International Human Rights Day at his residence.
The event turned out to be a get together of the champions of Human Rights, transgenders, children and women rights activists and representatives of the government and private bodies working for the rights of the marginalized communities. Federal Minister for Human Rights Khalil George, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), Sen Ayesha RazaFarooq, eminent rights activist Prof Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Executive Director of the Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) Sarah Belal, NCHR’s Member (Minority) ManzoorMasih, transgender rights activist and winner of 2020 Franco-German HR Prize, MsNayyab Ali, Peter Jacob, ambassadors of the European countries, UN representatives and members of civil society attended the International HR Day event. The ambassador explained among the human rights include the right to life, the right not to be subjected to torture, freedom of expression, the right to education and the right to seek asylum. He also mentioned the right to liberty, the right to private life as well as economic, social and cultural rights and called them equally important.
Besides these rights, the right to social security, health and suitable accommodation should also be upheld and protected. According to the French ambassador, the defence and promotion of human rights is an ongoing commitment. He quoted French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna who reminded recently on the eve of UN HR Day (December 10) that “respect for human rights is an everyday battle and the fight is far from won.”
On December 10, 1948, some 75 years ago, 58 member states of the General Assembly of the United Nations, adopted the founding document at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. Pakistan and France were among those who supported this historic text, the ambassador said.
Sen Ayesha RazaFarooq while expressing gratitude to the French Ambassador noted that the NCRC had collaborated with the French embassy to launch an awareness drive to prevent child domestic labour, child sexual abuse and to promote enrolment of Out-of-School Children.
