Friday 28th October, 2011
| A US-based international human rights organisation has honoured Pakistani journalist Shehrbano Taseer, daughter of the assassinated former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, for "her courage in carrying out her father's legacy of religious tolerance." "Despite criticism and even death threats, Taseer, a journalist for Newsweek Pakistan, has worked unremittingly to shed light on the hundreds of victims of Pakistan's blasphemy laws and to encourage her government to take necessary steps to promote religious tolerance," Human Rights First said in a statement. In the months since her father's slaying by own elite security force protectors, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, Shehrbano has continued to speak out publicly against discriminatory laws that target religious minorities, published a series of op-ed pieces calling for change in Pakistan, and openly criticized those who glorify her father's murderer, the organisation noted. She was instrumental in the United Nation Human Rights Council's groundbreaking resolution that seeks to address violence, discrimination, and incitement to religious hatred without the controversial notion of "defamation of religions," it added. Human Rights First also honoured renowned Egyptian activist Basem Fathy and Pakistani journalist Shehrbano Taseer, as well as Michelle and Robert King, creators of CBS's The Good Wife. "Human Rights First is proud to honour these activists who have stood up for political freedom and religious tolerance, often at great personal risk," stated Human Rights First's President and CEO Elisa Massimino. "Basem and Shehrbano are courageous leaders in their outspoken defense of rights in order to advance the freedom of their fellow citizens. We draw strength from their resolve and their example. We are privileged to work with them and to honour their courage and achievements with this award," Massimino added. (ANI) |
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