LAHORE - Like other parts of the globe, World Human Rights Day was observed across the country on Tuesday to renew the commitment of continuing efforts for protection of human rights.
The day is observed on December 10 since 1948 to mark the adoption of 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights' by the United Nations General Assembly.
Seminars, walks, discussion forums, art exhibitions, tableau competitions and consultations were arranged both at the government and private level to mark the day.
Human rights activists and non-governmental organisations' representatives spoke against abuse and violations, including discrimination, oppression and violence. They demanded justice for victims of human rights violations, accountability of perpetrators and transparency in government action.
Addressing a seminar at Alhamra, Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Khalil Tahir Sindhu stressed the need for individual and collective efforts for elimination of corruption from the society.
“Corruption is violation of human rights as it not only increases social problems but also promotes sense of deprivation and consequently crime in the society”, he said.
Sandhu said that complaint cells have been set up in all districts of the province to address complaints regarding violation of human rights. Moreover, he said, a force of one lakh volunteers would be formed during the current year which would take notice of violation of human rights at every level as well as action against the violators.
MPAs Shahzad Munshi, Tariq Masseh Gul, Kani Ram, Provincial Secretary Javed Iqbal, former secretary and Member Punjab Public Service Commission Rashid Bin Ahmed, Prof Yasir Saeed, Justice (R) Nasira Javed Iqbal and others addressed the seminar and threw light on the implementation of the charter of human rights, causes of corruption and measures for its eradication. One minute silence was also observed to pay tributes to late Nelson Mandela for his services to humanity and his principles and teachings were described as a golden chapter of human history.
KPK Doctors Association and Young Doctor Association observed a token strike in all hospitals of the city; however, doctors attended their duties both in outdoor patients department and emergency wards with black strips. As the hospitals opened, a large number of patients thronged OPD and other wards of the hospitals. Several patients suffering from critical diseases were eagerly waiting for doctors.
The doctors attended their duties partially and fastened black strips to observe token strike.
Several local hospitals where young doctors were performing duties were still closed due to absence of doctors while tertiary level hospitals remained opened.
Talking to The Nation President YDA Dr Alamgir said that the token strike will be continued till Saturday and the strike will get intensity after coming Monday if their demands were not met. He added that the government is not serious in resolving their issues.