Ambedkar Society for
South Asia (ASSA) organised a Seminar on International Human Rights Day in
collaboration with Centre for South Asian Studies, PU on 10th December 2021 at
Auditorium, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab. Topic of
the seminar was "Role of Human Rights Education in protection of Human
Rights, Humanity and Culture". Renowned Human Rights Activists and eminent
scholars from different minority communities were invited to speak on the
topic. On this auspicious occasion seven scholars presented their papers on the
topic including Sabestian Frances Shaw (Arch Bishop of Lahore Cathedral), Prof.
Ashok Kumar Khatri (Head of Department, Institute of Language and Linguistics,
University of the Punjab), Dr. Ayra Indiras Patras (Assistant Professor FC
College Lahore), Prof. Kalyan Singh Kalyan (Punjabi Deptt. GC University
Lahore), Abdullah Malik (Human Rights Activist, President Civil Society Network
Pakistan), Amaranth Randhawa (President Adhi Dharam Valmiki Samaj Punjab) &
Jacqueline Tressler (Chairperson Minority Advisory Council Punjab Government). Seminar started at
10:30am with recitation of Quranic verses & enthusiastic National anthem, while
Director Ambedkar Society for South Asia Syed Shaheen Hassan presented the
welcome speech to inaugurate the seminar by providing insides of the topic &
elaborated the purpose and objectives of the seminar to all the participants. He
hoped that seminar would contribute in regional human rights situation. Prof.
Ashok Kumar Khatri put light on the United Nations charter regarding Human
Rights and emphasis on the importance of humanity for peace. He proudly labeled
himself as Pakistani minority. His core aim was to unite the string of reality
and practically situation of human rights in Pakistan as well as around the
globe. Arch Bishop of Lahore, Sabestian Frances Shaw raised remarkable
questions that how human rights are prevised in our societies. With his
religious command he elaborated the theme of creator and his teachings of human
rights. He requested youth to be in their natural state and respect all
religious on equal logics. Chairperson Minority Advisory Council Punjab, Ms. Jacqueline
Tressler motivated students with her precious words and asked them to take
charge of human rights protections. She mentioned youth as the future of
peaceful world. She also shared her experiences regarding peace and harmony
from her childhood. President Civil Society Network, Mr. Abdullah Malik warm-healthy
thanked ASSA & CSAS to conduct such seminar for the awareness of the
students. According to him, the beauty of Pakistan is none other than the
diversity in religions and language all humans are born equal as a kid, but the
social structure defined and differentiates the existence of humans. He
highlighted the human rights acts written in the Constitution of Pakistan. He
said that the connectivity and unity among Pakistan could only be possible when
every individual knew the rights mentioned in constitutions, so it is very
important to equip our coming generations with human rights education. Member
of Sikh community, Prof. Kalyan Singh Kalyan discussed the difference of evil
and positivity. He directed students to go with positivity and to have patience
in religion matters, as every person has his own believes and emotions. In this
regard, he mentioned that the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him)
are the best guidelines not only for Muslims but also for other religious
communities. The importance of human rights and its protection can be gauged
from the holy Life of Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). Mr. Amarnath
Randhawa was pleased listening wonderful speakers and appreciated the efforts
of ASSA & CSAS for initiating human rights protection seminar. According to
him, pivotal of every society is religion and center for every religion is
"love & peace". He also shared his personal experience of
interfaith harmony found in Pakistan to teach students the moral side of life. Assistant
Professor FC College, Dr. Arya Indrias Patras highlighted the importance of
human rights education. She said that all religions have taught humanity,
tolerance and equality. This is enshrined in our constitution of Pakistan.
There are laws to protect human rights around the world, but there is a need to
educate the public, especially children, about these rights at an early stage. She
also focused on including human rights as a subject on primary level and to
include such articles and contents which could produce real human rights practitioners.
In the end, the vote of thanks was given by Dr. Umbreen Javaid, Director Center
for South Asian Studies PU. She conducted Kashmir situation through this
platform and requested all respectables to condemn Indian brutalities in
Kashmir on this day. The seminar ended with certificate distribution and refreshments.
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