The 133rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme.
The first guest on show, Mr. Riaz Ghafoor, Assistant Director, Department of Information, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a significant milestone in the history of human rights. This document was drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, and was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948 vide General Assembly resolution 217A. It set out a common standard of achievements for all peoples and nations and fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
As a matter of respect for fundamental human rights and to foster social cohesion, acceptance of diversity and differences is absolutely critical. All these fundamental human rights are not only enshrined in the UDHR but also our constitution vide articles 8-28 where every citizen is equally entitled to them. Our religion also promotes these rights for both women and men and inclusion of all members of the society.
It is the responsibility of the state to ensure the protection of these rights and enforce them through the institutions as part of the justice system, to ensure both equality and equity. Also important is to generate awareness among and educate the public about their rights and responsibilities towards the society as part of their social contract.
To bring the newly merged districts at par with the developed parts of the country, it is extremely important to ensure provision of fundamental human rights for their residents as an opportunity to expand the country’s social capital.
The second guest on show, Ms. Marukh, CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon Alumna and a student, noted that Ulasi Taroon workshops familiarized her with the concepts and essentialities of social cohesion and that how cultivating the ideal of acceptance can foster an egalitarian and conducive society. Rule of law is a shared responsibility and must be upheld as a precondition for social cohesion.
The third guest on show, Mr. Shah Usman, Assistant Director, Directorate of Human Rights, KP, noted that humans rights education, especially among the disenfranchised groups in the society, can serves as an inherent societal mechanism to prevent human rights abuses.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.