Faisalabad: September 10, 2011. (PCP) Peace and Human Development (PHD-Foundation) and Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) organized a Training of Trainers on ‘Human Rights and Democracy’ held at Quilim Restaurant in Faisalabad on 6th September 2011. As many as 25 Muslim and Christian participants including youth, teachers and representatives of civil society organizations actively participated in the training. At this juncture, Naseem Anthony (Executive Secretary-AWAM), Suneel Malik (Director-PHD Foundation), George Clement (Coordinator-LEAP), Iftikhar Ahmad, Shazia George and Amna Ehsaan spoke to the participants. Naseem Anthony said, “The prime responsibility of the democratic state towards improving the living standards of citizens is to ensure protection of life and property, just distribution of resources, enforcement of human rights, and take practical measures for curbing class division, intolerance, lawlessness and injustice, so that peaceful and democratic society can be established.” Suneel Malik said, “In order to drive the county on democratic lines, the government must make certain the supremacy of state organs, the freedom of media, the rule of law and corruption free system.” “The government must frame policies, laws and institutions in such a way that the social harmony and peace can prevail, and poor working class can demand their rights on merit from the influential persons and institutions, without any fear and pressure,” he added. Iftikhar Ahmad said, “Democracy is not only a system of governance, but an attitude too, so it is termed as the best system in the world. Democratic norms have not prevailed in our country because rulers of Pakistan have always given preference to their personal interests over national interests, and have run the matters of state according to their will, but not according to the constitution and laws.” “Family politics is an undemocratic step, therefore the real public leadership from the middle class cannot come into power without the end of family politics from Pakistan,” he added. George Clement said, “Since the feudal thinking and approach prevails in our society, therefore class division on the basis of social status, and exploitation of the working class in on the rise, even the working class has to face dire consequences in case of demanding rights from the landlords, therefore the benefits of democracy cannot reach out to the poor public, unless the lands reforms are enforced, and landless formers are given ownership rights of lands.” Shazia George said, “Democracy is a form of government which has no connection with any continent, civilization, religion or class. In the modern era, the enforcement of democratic norms is considered essential not only at state level, but in every decision making process at all levels, so that no one faces injustice and deprivation.” “The prevalence of democratic culture in Pakistan is impossible unless democratic traditions are adopted in institutions, political parties, families and behaviours,” she added.