Global Human Rights Defence
Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD)[1] is an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in The Hague, Netherlands.
GHRD places emphasis on those areas and populations of the world where severe and extensive human rights violations of ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities have continued unabated over long periods of time, and where structural help and global attention of Governments and international institutions have failed to reach.
"Basic aims of the United Nations, as proclaimed in the Charter, is to promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,[...] emphasizing that the constant promotion and realization of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as an integral part of the development of society as a whole and within a democratic framework based on the rule of law, would contribute to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among peoples and States" General Assembly Resolution 47/135, 18 December 1992.
The establishment of GHRD was supported by a broad spectrum of over a 150 selected participants of national and international human rights organisations from all over the world.
Moreover, the South-Asia region fulfilled the mission/vision of GHRD, as the violations of human rights of minorities did not hit the headlines nor were they on top of the political agenda.
The European Seminars programme has as a basic principle the promotion of equality, unity and understanding among diverse cultures, ethnicities and religions of the world, and it seeks to create opportunities regarding peace and prosperity for mankind.
Consequently, the topics tackle contemporary challenges, which cause racial enmity, social unrest and overt conflicts in all levels of society.
They noted: "We recognize that Christians are persecuted in Pakistan, as mentioned in the report, however, undue emphasis on one religion while ignoring the suffering faced by the other religious minorities could have catastrophic consequences.
The ongoing human rights violations need to cease immediately in order to ensure that religious minorities are not completely wiped out from Pakistan.
The report sadly shows the duplicity of the Dutch government in predominantly funding and supporting those organizations which work for the Christian community.
"[citation needed] On 5 November 2018, Global Human Rights Defence's (GHRD) attended the press briefing held by Mr. Saif-ul-Malook.
The protestors demanded that the Pakistan government must include Asia Bibi's name on the Exit Control List, in the hope that it would prevent her from flying out of the country.
Mr. Vivek, GHRD's Human Rights Officer asked him about Asia Bibi's name being put on Pakistan's Exit Control List, he replied that under the legislation, a person's name can be put onto the Exit control list only if there is a criminal case or a case of criminal fraud pending against the person.
They warned: "Kashmiri Pandits, a religious minority group in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, have been systematically persecuted by the majority community since 1989.
Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homes and move to other parts of the country in order to save their lives, those who remained were mercilessly killed or subjected to other inhumane acts.
A brutal campaign of terror, murder, rape and arson and has been unleashed by the majority community which will stop at nothing to make sure that Kashmiri Pandits are completely wiped out from the region.
They asked for the United Nations to meet with the Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD), a collective organization with members in India, USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Europe.
The incident generated widespread attention and the case was investigated by GHRD and its local partner Research and Empowerment Organization (REO).
[citation needed] Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) organized an event on 7 March 2019 to highlight the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan.
[citation needed] GHRD organized a protest on 22 September 2018 before the United Nations in Geneva to focus international attention on the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan.
The screening of the Video Documentary, “The Trapping Faiths” was also arranged during event and the all participants endorsed the recommendations jointly including to end-up the abductions, forced conversions and forced marriages of minority girls which was raised in video documentary through 4 case studies of Hindu and Christian girls, as the numbering are growing day by day.
The campaign was also promoted via its ambassadors: Scottish band Brand New Deja Vu, DJ Paul Jay and Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin.
