Council of Progressive Pakistanis Pays Homage to Asma Jahangir
The Washington-based Council of Progressive Pakistanis (CPP) has paid glowing tributes to the Pakistani human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir who recently passed away in Lahore.
The CPP Washington DC chapter, in its meeting in Columbia, last Sunday also expressed discontent over the current human rights violations in Pakistan and discussed future programs to continue the legacy of the late activist.
The world-renowned activist fought throughout her life against the powerful landed aristocracy, religious orthodoxy, and dictators in her struggle to strengthen democracy and rule of law in the country. Asma, who also formed the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was one of the few brave voices of conscience who always supported disadvantaged communities, minorities, children, and women.
The CPP members also decided to institute an ‘Asma Jahangir Lecture Series’ as part of the Council’s annual convention to be held later this year in Washington DC. The lecture series will invite prominent activists and scholars to speak on issues related to human rights, women’s rights, minorities, and to strengthenthe shaky democracy in Pakistan.
The meeting also took notice of the ongoing lawlessness, injustice, corruption and violence against women, children and the disadvantaged segments of the society. It criticized the lack of sensitivity of the Pakistani state and its establishment on the recent attacks on minorities, especially the violent attacks on Christians including Patras and SajidMasih, in addition to thousands of cases of false blasphemy accusations in Pakistan.
Christians comprise 2% of Pakistani population but they get disproportionally accused of blasphemy. Similarly, many Muslims, including some college professors who have been falsely accused of blasphemy, have been rotting in jail for several years.
A number of resolutions were unanimously passed by the CPP members at the meeting.
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