Pakistan fulfils its pledge by ratifying International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and signing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

 

On 17 April 2008, Pakistan ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR) and signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as Convention against Torture (CAT).

 

In a brief ceremony at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Pakistan's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Munir Akram, ratified and signed the Conventions on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

 

Pakistan is already a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and to the core ILO Conventions 29, 87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138, and 182.

 

Joining the main international human rights instruments reflects the commitment of the democratic government to promote human rights in Pakistan, including the rights of women, children, minorities and the underprivileged.

 

The ratification of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights commits the Government to ensure the full realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of the people of Pakistan enshrined in the Covenant including the elimination of economic injustice and poverty.

 

Signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the Convention against Torture reflects the Pakistan Government's renewed commitment to promote civil and political rights of its people and to protect them from inhuman and degrading treatment in accordance with internationally recognized legal standards. They also demonstrate the resolve of the Government to strengthen democracy and create a just society which is free of suffering and deprivation.

 

 

Courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad