Human Rights and Democracy - Official Documents

Pakistan
The 2010 UN Development Index ranked Pakistan at 125 out of 169 countries, down
from 112 in 2008. Global indices relating to gender, children’s rights and corruption
showed Pakistan near the bottom. Women and vulnerable groups faced legal
discrimination and high levels of abuse and violence. Weaknesses in the rule of law,
along with a dysfunctional criminal justice system, restricted access to justice for the
vast majority of those who needed it. NGOs continued to make allegations of extrajudicial
killings, other ill treatment and torture by state agencies. Devastating
flooding in August coupled with poor governance resulted in the ineffective delivery
of basic services such as education and healthcare. Freedom of expression and of
religion or belief remained limited, in part because of repressive measures by the
state, but also because of increased religious conservatism within society, and the
activities of violent extremist organisations. The ongoing conflict in the border
regions caused a huge displacement of the resident population, and associated
rights violations.
Internal instability, conflict and humanitarian disaster have taken their toll on human
rights. However, the current administration did make some progress, notably
ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention against Torture (although with reservations); reform of the constitution to
decentralise power; and moves towards electoral reform. The democratically elected
government of Asif Zardari passed the halfway mark of its term in office, a notable
landmark in a country where no elected government has seen out its tenure. A
vibrant media and civil society continued to flourish, albeit within certain parameters,
and the judiciary, although heavily politicised, remained highly independent of the
executive.
Pakistan remains one of our highest foreign policy priorities, and 2010 saw
ministerial visits from the Foreign Secretary William Hague, Home Secretary
Theresa May, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell and Minister
without Portfolio Baroness Warsi. Implementation of Pakistan’s international human
243