Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Volunteer Opportunities: Yes

History

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) was established in 1987 as an independent NGO. Since then it has developed to become an influential country-wide human rights body. Besides monitoring human rights violations and seeking redress through public campaigns, lobbying and intervention in courts, HRCP organizes seminars, workshops and fact finding missions. It also issues a monthly magazine in the Urdu language called Jehd-i-Haq and an annual report on the state of human rights in the country, available in both English and Urdu. The main office of the secretariat is in Lahore while HRCP maintains a presence through branch offices in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. Special Task Forces in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Turbat/Makran and Gilgit report issues from their areas and attend important meetings and seminars on HRCP’s behalf.

Mission

To work for the ratification and implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other related Charters, Covenants, Protocols, Resolutions, Recommendations and internationally adopted norms in Pakistan; to promote research and studies in the field of human rights and to mobilize public opinion in favor of accepted norms through all available media and forums; to cooperate with and aid national and international groups, organizations and individuals engaged in the promotion of human rights and to participate in meetings and conferences on human rights at home and abroad; and to take appropriate action to prevent violations of human rights and to provide legal aid and expertise to victims of those violations and to individuals and groups striving to protect human rights