Understanding Pakistan through a civil rights perspective
This dossier has been curated by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs), together with its partner organization The Knowledge Forum (TKF). In their contributions, civil society activists and experts approach five topics, covering socio-economic and political developments in Pakistan. The themes are: climate movements, the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), Paris Principles and Human Rights Institutions (HRIs) in Sindh, the shrinking of civic spaces and increasing constraints for civil society actors, and the impact of the of recent political developments in Afghanistan for civil society in Pakistan. The articles are based on (expert) interviews, review of relevant documents and online discussions with experts.
Each contribution looks at the respective theme through a (civil) rights perspective. Accordingly, the common assumption of the authors is that the promotion and protection of human rights including environmental rights constitutes the core of any democratic state, conditions its political legitimacy and defines a social contract with its citizens. Pakistan is party to core human rights treaties and various climate change and environmental legally binding commitments. And, in this context since long the role of civil society has been crucial in the promotion of a rights agenda as well as of social, environmental and climate justice. However, many political developments have created challenges as well as opportunities for civil society.
Based on the understanding that Pakistan is a democratic and federal state, which has established a constitutional, legal and policy framework, but is afflicted with many challenges, issues and gaps on human rights as well as climate sustainability, the papers give input and recommendations on alternatives to existing policies. The articles were finalized between late 2021 and early 2022. Each contribution consists of a short blog article, which gives a basic outline of the respective theme and an in-depth paper that critically analyses it. The dossier attempts to create an understanding for the complexities of the country to inform relevant stakeholders including those based in Germany and Europe as well as an international readership.
