Title: Pakistan rejects US human rights report as ‘biased and politicised’
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Pakistan has outrightly dismissed the 2023 Country Report on human rights practices recently released by the United States State Department. "The contents of the report are unjust, relying on inaccurate information and are disconnected from the realities on the ground," stated the foreign office on Thursday.
In a strongly worded statement, the foreign office criticised the annual practice of the US State Department in preparing such reports, labeling them as lacking objectivity and flawed in methodology. It accused these reports of applying a domestic social lens to judge human rights situations in other nations, driven by political biases.
The 2023 Human Rights Report from the US State Department, unveiled this week, accused Pakistan and India of intimidating or seeking reprisals against individuals beyond their borders, including activists, defenders, and journalists. Both nations were indicted for significant human rights violations such as arbitrary and extrajudicial killings, torture, inhumane treatment, and arbitrary arrests, with a lack of accountability contributing to widespread impunity.
Furthermore, the report alleged that successive Pakistani governments tacitly endorsed enforced disappearances, citing figures from the government’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. It noted that out of 9,967 reported missing-person cases since 2011, 7,714 were resolved while 2,253 remained pending.
Also read: US rights report on India cites abuses in Manipur, harassment of media and minorities
The report also highlighted military trials of civilians accused of rioting on May 9, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
In response, the foreign office criticised the lack of objectivity in this year's report, asserting its politicisation of the international human rights agenda. It expressed deep concern over the report's oversight or downplaying of urgent human rights issues in places like Gaza and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan condemned the silence of the United States on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, highlighting the necessity for the report to address such pressing matters. Pakistan reiterated its commitment to strengthening its own human rights framework and engaging constructively in promoting the international human rights agenda with fairness and objectivity.
If the US continues this reporting practice, Pakistan expects the State Department to exercise due diligence, objectivity, impartiality, and responsibility, it said.
The FO urged the US State Department to speak truthfully about all situations and play a constructive role in supporting international efforts to end atrocities in regions facing severe human rights violations.
Published Date: 25-Apr-2024
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