Devil Soul
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US notes consolidation of democracy in Pakistan
THE NEWSPAPER'S CORRESPONDENT
Updated 2014-02-28 11:01:18
WASHINGTON: In a rare praise for Pakistan, a US State Department's human rights report, released on Thursday, acknowledged that there was significant consolidation of the country's democratic institutions during 2013.
The report on Pakistan also noted that violence, abuse, and social and religious intolerance by militant organisations and other non-governmental actors contributed to a culture of lawlessness in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The report also focused on the May general election, noting that it “marked the first time since independence in 1947 that one elected government completed its term and peacefully transferred power to another.”
The State Department also noted that on Sept 8, President Asif Ali Zardari completed his five-year term and stepped down from office. His successor, President Mamnoon Hussain, took office the next day.
“Orderly transitions in both the military and the judiciary, in the positions of army chief of staff and Supreme Court chief justice, further solidified the democratic transition.”
But the report pointed out that “independent observers and some political parties raised concerns about election irregularities”.
The PML-N controlled the executive office, the National Assembly, and Punjab, while rival parties or coalitions governed the three other provinces, the report added.
“The military and intelligence services nominally reported to civilian authorities, but at times operated without effective civilian oversight, although the new government took steps to improve coordination with the military.”
Police generally reported to civilian authority, although there were instances in which police forces acted independently. Security forces sometimes committed abuses, the report observed.
The most serious human rights problems were extrajudicial and targeted killings, sectarian violence, disappearances, and torture.
Other human rights problems included poor prison conditions, arbitrary detention, lengthy pretrial detention, a weak criminal justice system, lack of judicial independence in the lower courts, and infringement on citizens’ privacy rights.
Harassment of journalists, censorship, and self-censorship continued.
There were some government restrictions on freedom of assembly and some limits on freedom of movement. Sectarian violence and discrimination against religious minorities continued.
Corruption within the government and police was a persistent problem.
Rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, “honour” crimes, other harmful traditional practices, abuse, and discrimination against women and girls continued to be serious problems.
Child abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children persisted.
Widespread human trafficking — including forced and bonded labour — remained a serious problem.
Societal discrimination against national, ethnic, and racial minorities persisted, as did discrimination based on caste, sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV status.
Lack of respect for worker rights continued.
Lack of government accountability remained a problem and abuses often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity. Authorities punished government officials for human rights violations in very few instances.
Every year, the State Department sends a report to the US Congress on the human rights situation around the world. The report has a major impact on the policy-making process within Congress and on Congress's approach to the countries and regions highlighted in the report.
THE NEWSPAPER'S CORRESPONDENT
Updated 2014-02-28 11:01:18
WASHINGTON: In a rare praise for Pakistan, a US State Department's human rights report, released on Thursday, acknowledged that there was significant consolidation of the country's democratic institutions during 2013.
The report on Pakistan also noted that violence, abuse, and social and religious intolerance by militant organisations and other non-governmental actors contributed to a culture of lawlessness in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The report also focused on the May general election, noting that it “marked the first time since independence in 1947 that one elected government completed its term and peacefully transferred power to another.”
The State Department also noted that on Sept 8, President Asif Ali Zardari completed his five-year term and stepped down from office. His successor, President Mamnoon Hussain, took office the next day.
“Orderly transitions in both the military and the judiciary, in the positions of army chief of staff and Supreme Court chief justice, further solidified the democratic transition.”
But the report pointed out that “independent observers and some political parties raised concerns about election irregularities”.
The PML-N controlled the executive office, the National Assembly, and Punjab, while rival parties or coalitions governed the three other provinces, the report added.
“The military and intelligence services nominally reported to civilian authorities, but at times operated without effective civilian oversight, although the new government took steps to improve coordination with the military.”
Police generally reported to civilian authority, although there were instances in which police forces acted independently. Security forces sometimes committed abuses, the report observed.
The most serious human rights problems were extrajudicial and targeted killings, sectarian violence, disappearances, and torture.
Other human rights problems included poor prison conditions, arbitrary detention, lengthy pretrial detention, a weak criminal justice system, lack of judicial independence in the lower courts, and infringement on citizens’ privacy rights.
Harassment of journalists, censorship, and self-censorship continued.
There were some government restrictions on freedom of assembly and some limits on freedom of movement. Sectarian violence and discrimination against religious minorities continued.
Corruption within the government and police was a persistent problem.
Rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, “honour” crimes, other harmful traditional practices, abuse, and discrimination against women and girls continued to be serious problems.
Child abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children persisted.
Widespread human trafficking — including forced and bonded labour — remained a serious problem.
Societal discrimination against national, ethnic, and racial minorities persisted, as did discrimination based on caste, sexual orientation, gender identity, and HIV status.
Lack of respect for worker rights continued.
Lack of government accountability remained a problem and abuses often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity. Authorities punished government officials for human rights violations in very few instances.
Every year, the State Department sends a report to the US Congress on the human rights situation around the world. The report has a major impact on the policy-making process within Congress and on Congress's approach to the countries and regions highlighted in the report.
