Civil society holds rally to mark international human rights day                           Faisalabad. December 14, 2011. (PCP) Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), Lyallpur Development Organization (LDO), Participatory Organization for Women’s Empowerment and Rights (POWER) and Liaison for Enforcement of Human Rights (LEHR) jointly staged a rally titled “Human Rights for All” to observe the international human rights day on December 10, 2011. The purpose of the rally was to promote the spirit of human rights, to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up against human rights abuses and violations, and take action to end discrimination and violence in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested.   people mobilized to demand peace, justice, dignity, equality, freedom, participation, protection, development and prosperity, the rights as enshrined in the UDHR. At this juncture, the participants shouted slogans in support of human rights and in opposition to human rights violations. They were also carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans criticizing violence, discrimination, class division, feudalism, capitalism, sexual harassment, injustice, exploitation, extremism, intolerance, terrorism, inflation and corruption present in the Pakistani society.  The rally started from Faisalabad Press Club and culminated peacefully at Clock Tower. The rally was led by Mrs. Khalida Mansoor (Parliamentarian), and was joined by over 150 Muslim and Christian participants from different fields of life including students, teachers and representatives of civil society groups namely; NCJP, CARE, PHD, AWAM, LDO, POWER, Harmony Foundation, Labour Qaumi Movement, Freedom Bhatta Workers Union and Workers Party Pakistan.  FSpeaking on the occasion, Khalida Mansoor (M.N.A), Suneel Malik (Director-PHD Foundation), Shazia George (Coordinator-AWAM), Nazia Sardar (Chairperson-AWAM) and Sajid Iqbal Safdar (Political Worker) showed their grave concerns over the situation of human rights in Pakistan, discouraged all state and non-state elements responsible for massive human rights violations in Pakistan, and urged the government to take tangible steps for the promotion and protection of human rights. They also strongly condemned the killing of 24 innocent Pakistani soldiers in a recent airstrike on a military check post in Mohmand Agency by NATO troops, terming it a violation of human rights and an attack on the national security and sovereignty.​ Khalida Mansoor said, “Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same standards and values. If there is no right for human beings, we may not survive a single day. The earth is a home to all living beings; therefore we have to give value to each individual irrespective of any conditions.” “Pakistan is a signatory to the core UN treaties on human rights but the people are unaware of their rights, therefore, a countrywide movement should be launched to raise awareness about human rights issues,” she added.  Suneel Malik said, “Human rights violations are on the rise in Pakistan due to lack of rule of law and freedom of expression, resultantly the rights of marginalized groups including women, religious minorities, children, workers and persons with disabilities are immensely violated.” “The government of Pakistan must set up an independent and impartial National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) to monitor the situation of human rights especially marginalized groups, and to safeguard the rights of its citizens,” he demanded.   George said, “The discrimination on different grounds is the root cause of conflicts in Pakistan, which causes violence in the society, therefore, the educational curricula should be purged of all kinds of literature inciting hatred so that it promotes values of peace and respect for human rights.” “There are discriminatory laws and inhuman traditions in the name of culture and religion, which frequently victimize weak sections of the Pakistani society, therefore Government must reveal its seriousness and commitment towards human rights by revoking discriminatory laws and outmoded customary practices,” she demanded.   Nazia Sardar said, “Women must be protected against harassment, violence and discrimination, and safer friendly atmosphere should be created at work places.” “The unrecognized workers engaged in informal sectors including home-based workers, peasant workers and domestic workers should be recognized legally as part of the labour force, whereas ILO conventions protecting rights of home based workers and domestic workers must be ratified,” she demanded.