Faisalabad: Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) in collaboration with Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) observed International Human Rights Day 2019 on United Nation’s theme “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights” with a motivational sharing and healthy discussions for launching a campaign by HRFP and GHRD to “Stand Up for Human Rights, Minorities Rights, Women Rights and Children Rights”. The speakers and participants from different fields of life, youth,  human rights defenders, political workers, social activists, lawyers, teachers, women activists, religious people, representatives of civil society organizations and the minorities belonging to Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Bahai’s , Ahamdiyaas and others consented  and expressed their thoughts and recommendations for joint efforts & deeper impacts.

Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) said that the equal status should be a top priority for every citizen regardless of religion, race, language, birth, gender, opinion, sect or caste, physical or mental disabilities etc., he added more. The minorities, women and children are considered the soft targets unfortunately while the young people represent majority of the population but they are affected by conflicts, exclusions and economic instabilities which makes harder for them to be heard by authorities when they have no influence in decision making processes. Naveed Walter said further that the Human Rights Day on “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights” is commemorating actually for sensitizing and involving youth being part of groups or as individuals in spite of the challenges they face; to appeal, teach and train them for standing up against hatred acts & aspects and against all forms of discriminations with any citizen, he added more. Naveed Walter said that HRFP will strengthen the networking with youth and all stakeholders for more advancing and effectiveness of HRFP’s Early Warning System for creating a safe & secure atmosphere for their inclusive space to grow & participate for development, peace, justice and human rights.  

Speakers including Mr. James Lal, Mr. Robin Daniel, Dr. Fareeha Naeem, Mr. Abrar Younas, Mr. Manzoor Anthony, Ms. Sadaf Shadman, Ms. Cherubina Nadeem and others urged authorities during session and street demonstration for the implementation of UN Human Rights charter & resolutions against human rights violations to stop discriminatory laws & practices against religious minorities, sexual harassments & abuses against minority girls and minors. HRFP thanked to all likeminded individuals and groups for becoming together, networking and raising voice jointly for achieving goal of making equal status and entire change in the situation of marginalized,  persecuted and victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief.