Sardar Muhammad Tahir Tabassum11 juli 2007 – 17:33

The European Organizations are not only fully alive to these problems they are also worried about their solutions and are fully alert to their needs. The West is known for its centuries old evils, but there are certain values, which make it credible in the eyes of the world at large and one feels envious of the system working in Europe.

The European leadership has provided an organized and strong working system that with the passage of time it has become better and grown stronger without any signs of deterioration over the centuries. Human Rights have seen many ups and downs throughout the history of the world. But since the 20th Century they have gained a high level of importance and respect amongst the European countries and in the 21st Century Human Rights are regarded a Religion with millions of followers and activists all over the world and thousands of organizations are employing their expertise and financial capabilities to promote Human Rights without any discrimination. The United Nations along with large organizations and influential individuals is engaged in protecting the human rights and fighting against its violations all over the world with full potential. The bane however, lies in the fact that most of these problems have originated due to religious indifferences, social and political disparity and violation of human rights. Nevertheless, a large number of human rights organizations and social welfare associations are involved in solving the problems and finding adequate solutions for them. How far they are successful in their mission is a lengthy process depending on the nature of forces working against them who are all out to harm the progress and the techniques they adopt for achieving their nefarious designs.

The developed and powerful nations have always tried to suppress the human rights of the weaker and suppressed nations under the impression of providing a protective umbrella of sorts. It may be useful in the short run, but in the long run it does more harm than good as has been the case of Russia which fell apart like nine pins when it resorted to suppressing the rights of smaller nations in its block. The US and Great Britain do not lag far behind, they may well be on their way to facing a similar situation. The monarchy of Great Britain has been confined within its borders. The US being the sole super power champions the cause of human rights all over the world but has always alienated its allies in the need of the hour under the doctrine of necessity to safeguard its own vested interests resulting in the fates of Anwar Saadaat, Saddam Hussain and others like them. Tony Blair having faced the tune, it is only a matter of time that General Pervez Musharref would be meeting the same fate sooner or later.

Human Rights are the talk of the time nowadays with a lot of official, non-official and non-governmental organizations playing a frontline role and are active all over Europe in protecting the human rights and maintaining an effective check on its violations. To name a few, “The Commissioner of Human Rights”, “European Court of Human Rights”, “European Ombudsman Organization” etc. are working round the clock with dozens of research institutes, think tanks and hundreds of experts at their disposal. Besides, UN Commissioner of Human Rights, Council of Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Women and Youth Organizations, Experts from all walks of life and the Media Organizations are worth mentioning their efforts. All are playing their due role effectively and efficiently.

European Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Thomas Hammerberg is a highly experienced, accomplished and pro-active personality in the field of Human Rights. Prior to his present assignment he held the post of Secretary General, Amnesty International. He holds to his credit the experience of working as a Member, Children’s Rights Committee of the UN, Sweden’s Ambassador of Human Rights and many other coveted posts relating to Human Rights. During his short tenure of one year he has achieved remarkable progress in the field of Human Rights and has established an impeccable network of organizations all over Europe with visible sings of improvement in the European Union, with long lasting effects.

In his recently published book, spread over 108 pages and comprising 30 articles “Human Rights in Europe – Mission Unaccomplished” under the aegis of Council of Europe, he has brought to limelight certain bitter truths regarding human rights, regardless of his official position with such openness that the hidden sentiments about humanity and upholding human rights values within his person reveal the true character behind the façade. He has admitted that human rights have been violated with impunity in Europe stressing that the European leadership and organizations need to show more flexibility in their constructiveness and thinking. Commenting on the role of Media and the NGOs, Mr. Thomas said that there can be no progress without undertaking the responsibilities of human rights. He has commended the efforts of the Council of Europe for establishing various institutions for eradicating racial hatred, protection of Minorities rights, protection of social and human rights, ending of violence and torture. Efforts are afoot to counter discrimination, differentiation and hate philosophy. All these activities are being personally monitored by him by arranging seminars and conferences at various international forums. He has established educational and awareness centres for human rights throughout Europe for the benefit of the society. Every society is confronted with religious, political and social problems and disputes, extremism and terrorism to say the least. But they have been adequately contained by taking some extra ordinary cautious steps to avoid them from recurring. However, despite their best efforts some instances in the recent past did evoke the wrath of the Muslims all over the world when a Danish newspaper published some caricatures of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH) but it goes to the credit of the European Union and the other Human Rights institutions, which avoided the danger of a massive bloodshed by adopting a strategy of rationality. Sensing a clash of civilizations, some NGOs stressed a need for an interfaith dialogue by arranging various seminars and conferences at different forums.

On this occasion, Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium, organized an International Conference on “Interfaith Harmony”, which was participated by Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Eric Thomas, President of Brussels Parliament, Religious Intellectuals and Scholars from all over the world, Dr. Attiya Inayatullah, Member Pakistan Parliament, Madame Danielle Carvin, Member Belgian Parliament, Abdul Majid Khan
Member Kashmir Assembly, besides a host of other participants from Canada, Indian Occupied Kashmir, Spain and Holland. Such Conferences have encouraged religious and cultural harmony, maintenance of peace and understanding and peaceful religious co-existence.

In his book, “Human Rights in Europe – Mission Unaccomplished” Mr. Thomas has admitted that after 9/11 and the incidents of London and Madrid, the Muslims all over the world fell into disrepute for the misdeeds of few extremists and terrorists who had little regard for human life and values with the result that many families in Europe and the world at large were badly effected. The treatment meted out to Muslim inmates at Guantanamo Bay camp, Abu Gharaib Prison in Iraq and various torture cells all around the world speaks volumes of atrocities committed against the Muslims. The prevailing situations in Iraq and Afghanistan are a living example of these atrocities against the Muslims which have had a damaging effect on religious freedom and civil liberties, besides creating a void in the social setup and demeaning human rights. Nonetheless the situation is improving at a snail’s pace with exceptions to Palestine, Iraq
Kashmir and Darfur where serious violations of human rights are being witnessed and need to be addressed urgently.

If we cast a glance at the violations of human rights being committed in South Asia, the stone-age era would be put to shame. India which claims to be the largest secular democracy has suppressed the right to self- determination of the Kashmiris for the last sixty years, the basic right granted to them by the UNSC Resolutions. However, the bane is the genocide of the innocent Kashmiris and annihilation of the future generation which is continuing with impunity along with other minorities with no concept of Minorities Rights. The policy followed is “Might is Right”. Seeking to become a permanent Member of the Security Council, India has never respected its International commitments and always flouted International laws. The Hindu majority has never reconciled with Muslims and the Sikhs blaming them for all their ills making its smaller neighbors feel insecure.

Democracy has never been allowed to flourish in Pakistan. Right from the beginning it was demoralized by the interference of anti democratic forces and the adventurism of some politicians and the army which struck at its roots plundering the country with both hands. From Sikandar Mirza to General Pervez Musharraf who claims to be popular amongst the masses have played havoc with the ideological concept of Pakistan by devolving the country to a non entity by abrogating the constitution at will every now and then, resulting first in its dismemberment and now its devolution to the extent that the country is at the brink of anarchy and further disintegration. Its two main political figureheads Benzair Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are in forced exile. The unwarranted Presidential reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan before the general elections has brought the country to the edge of a civil war with threats of enforcing emergency in the country looming large on the horizon. All these steps do not augur well for the country and are a blot on the face of Pakistanis living in foreign countries bowing their heads in shame. The foreign policy too has no bearings and directions to follow, instead it is directed to keep a low profile particularly encouraging Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangla Desh, Myanmar and Tibet to follow suit.

The champions of Human Rights and Good Governance are hell bent on suppressing the human rights and democratic rights of the people of South Asia. The international community looks towards the US for their guidance. Perhaps Iran is the only country which has taken a stand against this attitude of the powers that be.

European Union is fast emerging as a big power as is evident from some decisions by it against the pressures of the United States and a good effort at increasing its own global influence. However, Emma Nicholson’s Report on Kashmir in the European Parliament, though biased to some extent, has a different aspect to explain. Firstly, the Indian Lobby and pro Indian organizations played a pivotal role in the formulation of the Report. Secondly Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry former Prime Minister of azad Kashmir downplayed his role in propagating anti Pakistan sentiments which did more harm than good to the Kashmir cause. Thirdly, the Pakistani Ambassador to Belgium wrote a letter to Emma Nicholson that Gilgit and Baltistan were not part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. These aspects and a number of negative activities on the part of some responsible people also played its uncultured role in the report going against Pakistan, which I shall explain in detail in some other article.

The need at the moment is to verify the antecedents of people working on Kashmir, their belief in the ideological concept of Pakistan and whether they can withstand the pressures of time in maintaining their belief. Strict vigilance is required against anti Pakistan elements. Established authorities against their likes and dislikes should induct pro-Pakistan elements in their ranks. Otherwise there is a possibility of “Pay from Pakistan, work for India” theory being pursued. Emma Nicholson’s Report being controversial, has been a source of embarrassment for the people of Pakistan and Kashmir also. There is dire need to identify the elements behind the façade in future.