LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday expressed shock at the demise of its co-founder Asma Jahangir, who was an exemplary lawyer, human rights icon, pro-democracy champion, friend and mentor par excellence, and a brave comrade of the poor and the disadvantaged. She died yesterday due to cardiac arrest.
A HRCP statement said: The human rights movement in Pakistan was founded and is defined by Asma Jahangir. She co-founded HRCP in 1986 to establish a highly informed and objective voice at a national level in the struggle for the provision of human rights for all and democratic development in Pakistan.”
“Yet, HRCP had a voice and reach, both nationally and internationally, ?mainly because of her. Asma Jahangir had served as Secretary-General and Chairperson of HRCP in the past. She was currently serving as HRCP’s Spokesperson and as the UN Special Rapporteur of Human Rights in Iran, among her numerous other significant appointments.”
HRPC said: “Jahangir’s unique and outstanding contribution to the human rights discourse is acknowledged by friends and foes alike, nationally and globally. HRCP has not known a braver and more tireless human rights defender than Asma Jahangir.”
She will be missed always and immensely by all whose lives she touched, HRCP said.