Sindh leading Pakistan on human rights: Hemnani

Marking International Human Rights Day, Sindh Government Spokesperson and Sindh Human Rights Commission Board Member Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani reaffirmed the provincial government’s “unwavering commitment” to safeguarding fundamental rights, crediting the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for positioning Sindh as a national leader in progressive legislation and institutional reform.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hemnani said the provincial government views human rights not as rhetoric but as a core responsibility that shapes policymaking. “Human rights are not a slogan for us; they are a responsibility,” he said.

“Under the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Sindh has transformed rights into enforceable laws and built institutions that protect dignity and justice for every citizen.”

He emphasized that Sindh remains the only province in Pakistan with an independent statutory Human Rights Commission mandated to monitor violations, promote accountability, and strengthen public awareness around fundamental freedoms. This institution, he said, plays a critical role in bridging gaps between citizens and the justice system.

Citing what he described as Sindh’s “consistent leadership” in rights-based lawmaking, Mr. Hemnani outlined several legislative milestones achieved under successive PPP governments. These include laws curbing child marriage, banning bonded labor, criminalizing domestic violence and workplace harassment, and guaranteeing inheritance rights for women. The province has also enacted protections for minority communities, stronger maternal and child health safeguards, and legal recognition for women agricultural workers—one of Pakistan’s least-protected labor groups.

According to the spokesperson, these reforms collectively demonstrate PPP’s long-standing commitment to advancing protections for vulnerable populations including women, children, religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and marginalized labor sectors. “Sindh has always stood at the forefront of rights protection in Pakistan,” he said. “From women’s empowerment to minority rights and child protection, the Pakistan Peoples Party has led progressive legislation to strengthen human rights safeguards.” Hemnani said Sindh’s rights-focused legislative model has often inspired reforms in other provinces and at the federal level, reinforcing the province’s role as a driver of democratic development and social justice.

On International Human Rights Day, he called upon government institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens to recommit to equality, tolerance, and the rule of law. Sustainable development, he stressed, “is impossible without the protection of fundamental freedoms.” He concluded by reaffirming that the Sindh government remains determined to deepen democratic institutions, expand access to justice, and ensure that every individual in the province is protected without discrimination.