Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD3287
2008-10-16 12:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
GOP CABINET APPROVES DRAFT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
how-toVZCZCXRO7082 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3287 2901234 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161234Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9306 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 9251 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8878 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3888 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0455 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 6195 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 5029 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003287
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PK
SUBJECT: GOP CABINET APPROVES DRAFT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
LEGISLATION
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003287
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PK
SUBJECT: GOP CABINET APPROVES DRAFT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
LEGISLATION
1. (SBU) Summary: The Pakistani cabinet (of the Government
of Pakistan (GOP)) approved a draft bill establishing a
National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and reversing the
Musharraf administration's amendments to the Legal
Practitioners Act, which drastically curtailed Bar Council
authorities' disciplinary powers relating to lawyers. The
draft legislation and the NCHR would also fulfill the GOP's
obligations under an UNGA resolution calling for the
establishment of an independent human rights body. The NCHR
would advise legislators on human rights laws, establish
human rights courts, and order inquiries into allegations of
human rights violations. End summary.
2. (U) On October 15, Pakistan's federal cabinet approved a
draft bill establishing an independent human rights
commission. This bill would also reverse the amendments to
the 1973 Legal Practitioners Act, imposed by former President
Musharraf during the 2007 state of emergency.
3. (U) Media report the GOP will constitute a National
Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) in response to an UNGA
resolution requiring the establishment of independent human
rights bodies. The NCHR will reportedly be headed by a
serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court or high court,
will consist of members of the four provinces, and will
include four women and four minority members from each
province.
4. (U) If ratified, the bill would allow the NCHR to review
legislation addressing human rights and suggest changes,
allow every citizen the right to register a complaint of a
human rights violation with the commission, allow commission
members to inspect jails, and establish human rights courts
in all provinces.
5. (SBU) According to Sakhwat Gul, Section Officer within the
Human Rights Wing of the Ministry of Law, the NCHR will also
act in an advisory capacity on any legislation addressing
human rights. Further, it would visit jails, order inquiries
into allegations of human rights violations, work with the
National Assembly's and Senate's standing committees on human
rights, and coordinate with civil society organizations
monitoring Pakistan's human rights situation.
6. (U) Local media report the draft bill will also restore
the Legal Practitioners Act of 1973 to its original position.
The GOP is taking this action through an ordinance, in lieu
of the more cumbersome and formal full legislative process,
to avoid prolonging the matter of restoration of the Legal
Practitioners' Act.
7. (SBU) Comment: If approved, creation of a human rights
commission will be a welcome step. To be effective and
independent, however, it will need independent funding to pay
for staff.
FEIERSTEIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PK
SUBJECT: GOP CABINET APPROVES DRAFT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
LEGISLATION
1. (SBU) Summary: The Pakistani cabinet (of the Government
of Pakistan (GOP)) approved a draft bill establishing a
National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and reversing the
Musharraf administration's amendments to the Legal
Practitioners Act, which drastically curtailed Bar Council
authorities' disciplinary powers relating to lawyers. The
draft legislation and the NCHR would also fulfill the GOP's
obligations under an UNGA resolution calling for the
establishment of an independent human rights body. The NCHR
would advise legislators on human rights laws, establish
human rights courts, and order inquiries into allegations of
human rights violations. End summary.
2. (U) On October 15, Pakistan's federal cabinet approved a
draft bill establishing an independent human rights
commission. This bill would also reverse the amendments to
the 1973 Legal Practitioners Act, imposed by former President
Musharraf during the 2007 state of emergency.
3. (U) Media report the GOP will constitute a National
Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) in response to an UNGA
resolution requiring the establishment of independent human
rights bodies. The NCHR will reportedly be headed by a
serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court or high court,
will consist of members of the four provinces, and will
include four women and four minority members from each
province.
4. (U) If ratified, the bill would allow the NCHR to review
legislation addressing human rights and suggest changes,
allow every citizen the right to register a complaint of a
human rights violation with the commission, allow commission
members to inspect jails, and establish human rights courts
in all provinces.
5. (SBU) According to Sakhwat Gul, Section Officer within the
Human Rights Wing of the Ministry of Law, the NCHR will also
act in an advisory capacity on any legislation addressing
human rights. Further, it would visit jails, order inquiries
into allegations of human rights violations, work with the
National Assembly's and Senate's standing committees on human
rights, and coordinate with civil society organizations
monitoring Pakistan's human rights situation.
6. (U) Local media report the draft bill will also restore
the Legal Practitioners Act of 1973 to its original position.
The GOP is taking this action through an ordinance, in lieu
of the more cumbersome and formal full legislative process,
to avoid prolonging the matter of restoration of the Legal
Practitioners' Act.
7. (SBU) Comment: If approved, creation of a human rights
commission will be a welcome step. To be effective and
independent, however, it will need independent funding to pay
for staff.
FEIERSTEIN