By APP,
United Nations : Pakistan Thursday ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR), a multilateral treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966, which came into force a decade later.
The treaty commits its parties to work toward the granting of economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) to individuals, including labour rights and rights to health, education, and an adequate standard of living.
Also, Pakistan signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as well as Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).
In a brief ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, Pakistan ’s Ambassador Munir Akram signed the Conventions on behalf of the Government.
The ratification and signatures of these three core UN human rights instruments is a significant step forward by Pakistan in fulfilling its pledges and commitment to promote human rights of the people of Pakistan in accordance with international human rights law, a press release of the Pakistan Mission said.
Pakistan is already a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and to the core ILO Conventions 100, 138, 182 and 111.
Joining the main international human rights instruments reflects the commitment of the democratic government to promote human rights in Pakistan, including the rights of women, children, minorities and the unprivileged, the press release said.
The ratification of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights commits the government to ensure the full realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of the people of Pakistan enshrined in the Covenant including the elimination of economic injustice and poverty.
Signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the Convention against Torture reflects the Pakistan Government’s renewed commitment to promote civil and political rights of its people and to protect them from inhuman and degrading treatment in accordance with internationally recognized legal standards.
They also demonstrate the resolve of the Government to strengthen democracy and create a just society which is free of suffering and deprivation, the press release added.