Overview Pakistan has ratified seven of the United Nations core human rights Conventions, a testament to its commitment to ensuring the fulfilment of these rights for its citizens. This Section aims to shed light on the composition and application of each of these Conventions, along with the main domestic legal instruments and bodies which correspond…
Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the fundamental starting point in the area of human rights protection. The UDHR was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948. Although aspirational in nature, the UDHR holds weight with regard to the universality of…
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) establishes a framework for States to protect and promote the civil and political rights of their citizens, whilst also emphasizing on the importance of rectifying violations of these rights. With 53 Articles, the ICCPR consists of substantive, implementing…
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) encourages States to grant economic, social and cultural rights to all citizens and provide labour rights, rights to health, education and an adequate standard of living. As mentioned previously, the UDHR, taken together with the ICCPR…
Convention on the Rights of the Child The aim of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is to set standards for the protection of children against abuse, neglect and exploitation. It addresses the right to possess, receive and have access to certain services essential to the well-being of children. The Convention…
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination The purpose of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) is to promote the fundamental rights of all citizens of the State Party irrespective of their race, colour, sex, national origin, language or religion. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees…
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment This convention was adopted and opened for signature and ratification by the General Assembly on Dec 10, 1984. The government of Pakistan signed the convention on Apr 17, 2008, and ratified it on June 23, 2010.[1] This Convention requires State Parties to…
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women The overarching purpose of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the eradication of any such concurrent traditional practices or laws in a State that discriminate against women on the basis of their sex and to…
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The purpose of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is to protect, promote and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and freedoms by all persons with disabilities. The Convention defines persons with disabilities as those with long-term physical,…