Monitors doubt independence of government human rights body

Chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the federal cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill to establish a Pakistan National Commission for Human Rights. The government says the commission will monitor the human rights situation and any violations. President General Pervez Musharraf announced his intentions to set up such a commission in May to facilitate the implementation of human rights standards in the country. He said his government was committed to promoting and protecting human rights. But in its latest report the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said: "The continued dominance of the military over all public institutions in Pakistan has done nothing to improve the country's human rights situation over the year." "The control of feudal and local leaders over the policing and administration of justice through tribal courts continues to cause gross injustices and rights abuses," the Hong Kong-based regional monitoring body said. "The hand of the military is seen increasingly in the work of the police, prosecution and judiciary," the AHRC said in its digest on Pakistan's situation to mark international human rights day on December 10. Musharraf said: "We are making efforts to fill the gap between formulation and implementation of policies. However, anyone pronouncing a judgment on the human rights conditions should take stock of the realities on the ground in Pakistan." An official press release said the proposed national commission would have financial and administrative independence and be empowered to investigate any reported human rights violations. "The commission can appoint advisers and consultants to help discharge its functions and is to be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or any other eminent person of high stature," it said. Pakistan is a member of the UN Commission on Human Rights. "The commission is being formed to help counter negative propaganda and fulfilment of international obligations by Pakistan on the directions of President General Pervez Musharraf," a government spokesman said. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is already working as a non-government organisation in the private sector and is funded by public donations. HRCP has doubts the government commission can work. "HRCP has taken the stance consistently that no human rights commission in the public sector can effectively perform its duties, unless, it is in the first place, fully autonomous, and thus able to work without hindrance or interference," HRCP's director Kamila Hyat told IRIN. "We fear this will not be the case with any new commission being established," she said. While Urdu-language dailies have not considered setting up of the commission worthy of their comment, English-language newspapers voiced concerns. "The story of such official set-ups in this country is not very encouraging, the Commission on Women Rights being one such damp squib. It was allowed to do its work, but its report is lying somewhere gathering dust," said the English-language Daily Times in an editorial. "In view of the government's foot-dragging on many real issues of human rights, this commission may also end up like the others on the shelf," the editorial said.