I was in Beijing to attend a two days workshop (May 19-20, 2007) arranged by Women’s Watch China. On this occasion I met Ms. Wang Yi, this was my first meeting with her. However, since last one month we have been in touch and have known each other through e-mail.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is an independent, voluntary, non-political, non-governmental membership-based organization working for the promotion of human rights across Pakistan since 1986.
The HRCP is working on several projects designed to protect human rights of all citizens and particularly women, children and minorities. HRCP is conducting fact-finding in human rights violation cases, torture, disappearances and political intimidation. Its main areas of work are advocacy, children, communication & media, environment, governance, human rights, industrial relations, information dissemination, research, women, and youth.
HRCP monitors the overall human rights situation, covering legislation, women, children, minorities, press freedom, freedom of expression and publishes an extensive annual report in this regard. The report's contents are being quoted all over the world by human rights organizations. Its chairperson and vice chairperson are on the UN panel.
HRCP’s central secretariat is situated in Lahore city and is managing offices in all four provinces and the capital city of Islamabad. It has developed networking with other human rights organizations throughout Pakistan and in other countries of the world.
HRCP is a leader in disseminating information on human rights and regularly issues press releases and fact-finding reports, monthly and quarterly newsletter for members and the general public.

Mission To work for the ratification and implementation by Pakistan of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other Covenants, Protocols Resolutions, Recommendations and internationally adopted norm; To promote studies in the field of human rights and mobiles public opinion in favors of accepted norms through all available media and forums, and to carry out every category of activity to further the cause; To cooperate with national and international groups, organizations, and individuals engaged in the promotion of human rights; To take appropriate action to prevent violations of human rights, provide legal aid and assistance to victims;

My inspiration for working for humanity and for the downtrodden is in my blood and through family background. Basically our ancestors worked in the lumber industry in India, and my grandfather and father were both freedom fighters who were against the British occupation of India. Economically we were quite strong but, after the partition, we were shifted to Karachi, Pakistan in 1949.
When I was still a student I had to be involved in child labor to feed my family. I started my political and social work in 1967 and joined the National Students Federation of Pakistan and was elected as General Secretary in a Karachi college. I also joined the trade union and was elected President, General Secretary. At that time, I was also a member of the labor federation named ‘QOMI MAZDOOR MAHAZ’ (National labor federation) Sindh. However, because of my trade union activity experience, I had to lose most of my jobs. It was very strange to know that I was black listed and there were no any organizations who offered me a job. I have worked in at least 26 jobs in various companies, factories and shops so my life has been full of struggles. I think this is the turning point when I joined HRCP in 1995 as a field officer. It was the first job where I was in charge of social work.

I never thought for a single moment of quitting HRCP, human rights and political work and be a silent spectator of gross human rights abuses in my country and all over the world.

The feudal and tribal structure of Pakistan is the main cause of severe human rights violations and government’s apathy in this regard. Majority of the legislators, and their nominees, in national and provincial assemblies are feudal. The country was ruled most of the time by military dictators with feudal and tribal chiefs.
The government uses religious political parties to check liberal and moderate forces who violate women and minorities’ rights.

For me, political discourse with activists and friends, visits to other parts of the country, listening to music and reading are great sources of relaxation.

There are parks within 100 kilometers of the city, which I frequent for relaxation Sometimes I am invited to attend a Church World Service 1 training program at Murree hills. This is a nice place. Most people across the country enjoy their weekends here. I am also a member of Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy2 . Sometimes I visit India and my hometown. Mr. Ghulam Ali, Mr. Mehdi Hassan, Abida perveen, Fareeda Khanum, and Jageet Sing (India) are my favorite singers. In the past, I read Marxist literature, and now I study books about human rights, mostly real stories published in the newspaper. These are usually about violence against women or killings by torture.

Yes, my motto is to build a country free from exploitation and a just society where everybody's rights are protected without any discrimination of class, race and religion.
Experiences of different philosophers, writers and politicians have influenced me and given me strength in my work.

I migrated from Lucknow India (a very cultured city). People from other parts of India also migrated to Pakistan since its independence in 1947. A lot of other people have also migrated from different parts of Pakistan and have made Karachi as their homeland. Food, dress and other cultural activities and also customs have mixed together. So it is very difficult to pin point any food item and custom to introduce to you.

Our music, which is also a blend of different cultural identities, is very rich and I would like to introduce folk music. Its great representative is Abida Perveen who has recorded many folk and devotional songs.

Be tolerant, respect others' point of view, strictly follow democratic norms, eliminate discrimination of any sort. Protect the rights of downtrodden people of the world, particularly women and children.

Syed Shumshuddin, former Section Director Amnesty International and ex- coordinator of Centre for Democratic Development, Islamabad. He is a dedicated rights worker and has worked to sensitize parliamentarians in pursuing legislation to protect human rights. Mr. Shams has also worked for the government of UAE on environmental awareness program. Now, he is a free lance human rights worker.