Who will defend the defenders?

United nations defines human rights defenders as all those professionals, non professionals, full time or part time individuals from any field whoa re advocating and promoting the cause of human rights protection.
Human rights defenders have been under pressure in Pakistan. They cant perform their duties with freedom. HRD's have minimum recognition as to the mammoth role they are playing in informing about human rights violations in different areas.
Pakistan's INGO policy and cyber crimes has adverse effects on HRD's performance in recent past. They have been under continuous scrutiny and the registration process has been made pretty tough for incoming organization to perform its job. In this atmosphere even genuine and working NGO's work is hampered.
Sec 34 of prevention of electronic crimes bill gives power to government to block access to information for various reasons including the glory of islam, integrity, security or defense of Pakistan.
Pakistan has also been active in blocking UN resolution to grant special status to HRD's and argues along with other allied countries that HRD's are not a special group and not under attack.
But if we look at murders and disappearances of human rights activists this claim is totally negated. In 2014 lawyer Rashid rehman was killed for contesting blasphemy case. Sabeen mehmud was killed reportedly by state agencies for creating awareness against religious extremism and some sources even say her role in awareness against missing persons caused her death.
In most circumstances, the state keeps mum or straightly denies allegations. This attitude needs to change if we are to prosper in 21st century.
First step in the right direction would be to make a law effective with suport of civil society to implement UN declaration on human rights defenders.
Secondly HRD's role must be considered praiseworthy and applauded. They should be involved in the policy making where they can prove handy. For example National human rights commission can contact HRD networks to make recommendations regarding future legislation to safeguard human rights situation in the country.
Indian NCHR has launched a website in 2010 and appointed a focal person. Website periodically updates about figures related to violations and actions taken against such crimes.
Time has come to shut the lip service and do some practical work to safeguard those who defends Human rights.


Source:  http://www.dawn.com/news/1261705/who-will-defend-the-defenders