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Human Rights Commissioner Christoph Strässer visits Pakistan
Christoph Strässer, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, will be visiting Pakistan from 7 to 11 March. Commenting on the upcoming trip, he made the following statement today (5 March):
This is my first trip to Pakistan. While showing our interlocutors both our curiosity about Pakistani culture, traditions and points of view and our understanding for the country’s difficult security situation, it is my intention to advocate greater respect for human rights in Pakistan. I am thinking particularly of issues such as religious freedom and freedom of opinion, the protection of minorities and the death penalty. Engaging in open dialogue, I shall convey our firm conviction that the protection of human rights is an important prerequisite for stability and development.
Background information:
In Pakistan, Christoph Strässer is seeking to gain a first-hand impression of the situation in the country in order to promote human rights in the region at both the bilateral and international level. The programme for the trip includes meetings with representatives from government, business, the press and civil society as well as religious leaders. Additional topics will be the rights of workers and trade unions, election law in Pakistan as well as the jurisdiction of military courts.
