Stories, Poetry and Local perspectives from Pakistan

Climate Change Impact

Together with our partner Institute of Urbanism we have supported a cohort of eco-journalists from various backgrounds and various levels of experiences to contribute to this dossier. Each of their stories features their own regional and provincial backgrounds and related thematic focus.

With the dramatic takeover of power by the Taliban following the abrupt end of NATO's 20-year mission, Afghanistan is drifting into an uncertain political future. Our dossier offers insights into current developments and debates in Afghanistan, the region and Europe.

 

AFGHANISTAN

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This website showcases our work and engagement in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We are represented through our partners in the region. hbs has been actively promoting the consolidation of democracy, advancing gender equality, and taking action for a more sustainable environment.

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Pakistan

Sindh

Paris Principles and Sindh’s Human Rights Institutions

E-Paper

In Pakistan, human rights institutions came very late: the first National Commission of Human Rights was established through federal law in 2012. Since the passage of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan in 2010, human rights fall within the legislative purview of the provinces.

GSP Pakistan

GSP Plus Status: Opportunity for Pakistan to Engage with Europe

E-Paper

The European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is a trade incentive scheme which reduces or suspends import duties on the products coming into the EU markets from developing countries. It helps these countries in alleviating poverty through creating jobs as well as strengthening systems in compliance with international standards to protect labour and human rights.Pakistan is one of the beneficiary countries.

Civil society pakistan

Shrinking Spaces for Civil Society in Pakistan

E-Paper

The role of civil society organizations in the establishment of peace and promotion of human dignity and equality is a recognized globally and protected by the United Nations human rights framework. The modern democracies also recognize the right to form associations in furthering the agenda of promotion and protection of human rights. In the Pakistan Constitution this right is protected under Article 17.

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Afghanistan

Legacies of Conflict

Legacies of conflict

E-Paper

Seventeen months after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, little has been done to address local level grievances and disputes that have fuelled decades of conflict. This report, based on field research conducted from October 2021 to March 2022 in Helmand province, strongly argues that these grievances risk erupting into renewed violence and further destabilising the country.

The dynamic of youth activism in Afghanistan: A journey between hope and desperation

E-paper

This e-paper is written based on interviews conducted with young activists, journalists, human rights defenders and academics from Afghanistan (all under the age of 35), who have been actively involved in the process of democratisation and committed to liberal values over the past 20 years in Afghanistan; it highlights the twenty years of achievements by Afghan youth and explores their hurdles and challenges under the rule of the Taliban’s de facto regime.

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Videos

The short film "The Sharp Edge of Peace", supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, accompanies and portrays Fatima Gailani, Fawzia Koofi, Habiba Sarabi, and Sharifa Zurmati, the only female members of the Afghan government delegation to the intra-Afghan peace negotiations in Doha, which began in September 2020.

The short film "The Sharp Edge of Peace", supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, accompanies and portrays Fatima Gailani, Fawzia Koofi, Habiba Sarabi, and Sharifa Zurmati, the only female members of the Afghan government delegation to the intra-Afghan peace negotiations in Doha, which began in September 2020.

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