Islamabad: National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together at institutes of higher education for the promotion of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution and stipulated in the international human rights conventions to whom Pakistan is a party.
NCHR Chairman Justice ® Ali Nawaz Chowhan and Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Professor Dr Mukhtar Ahmed signed the MoU in a ceremony held at the HEC.
HEC chairman welcomed the NCHR effort asserting that human rights education was essential to create a just society.
He said the fundamental doctrine, concepts and principles of human rights were universal in value and HEC fully agree to spread awareness for the promotion and protection of human rights at Institutions of Higher Education.
Addressing the ceremony, NCHR Chairman Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan maintained that human rights were held sacred in our religion and are in line with our own traditions.
He quoted the Holy Quran and references from Islamic history to illustrate that the noble values must permeate down to everyone in our society.
He said that Human Rights Education was his personal priority besides being a key component in the freshly launched strategic plan of NCHR.
He shared there was clash in our jurisprudence as many points were contentious in our case law and the Supreme Court of Pakistan must sit in as a full court to resolve this confusion and conflict.
This MoU creates a framework of cooperation between the NCHR and the HEC to create awareness, promote research and studies in the field of human rights at higher education institutions (HEIs).
Both institutions shall work together to equip academia, researchers, professionals and students with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines, principles and compliance of international human rights law and to impart trainings to develop the intellectual, practical and transferable skills necessary for that purpose.
The MOU aims to spread human rights literacy and to promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, print and electronic media, seminars and other available means in all major languages of the country.
