Islamabad (TDI): National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), organized a two-day National Conference titled: “From Promise to Action: Advancing SDG 16 for Justice and Reform.”
The Conference was supported by UNDP and the EU under the Huqooq-i-Pakistan II project. All relevant stakeholders, experts, government representatives, civil society members, and representatives from EU and UNDP participated in the event.
Sustainable Development Goal #16 stands for peace, justice and strong institutions and the aim of this National Conference was to reflect and review the criminal justice institutions for their shortcomings and bring to light how criminal justice leaves out or is inaccessible to vulnerable groups, like women, girls, and minorities.
At the #PromiseToAction conference, @EUPakistan, @nchrofficial, and #UNDPinPakistan partnered with the @GovtofPakistan to reaffirm their collective commitment towards strengthening future-ready, accountable justice institutions that deliver for the most vulnerable.⚖️From digital… pic.twitter.com/apf1W8fN9W
— UNDP Pakistan (@UNDP_Pakistan) April 9, 2025
Ambassador of the European Union Dr Riina Kionka, while reflecting on the support that EU provides to make criminal justice departments more accountable, said: “The real measure of our commitment to human rights lies not in our words, but in the impact of our actions.”
”The European Union is the major donor for the rule of law in Pakistan. We are supporting all criminal justice actors to implement their mandates in line with international standards, and we do so in the most challenging of circumstances,” she added.
Senator Sherry Rehman also delivered her remarks at the Conference and observed that “Justice is the heart of any democratic system.”
Stellar first day of the two day conference organized by @nchrofficial with support of @UNDP_Pakistan and @EUPakistan on “Advancing SDG16 for justice and reform”.
Good discussions and proposal on improving criminal justice including for women and girls.
Thank you to our host… pic.twitter.com/9RtskqszNF
— Reem Alsalem UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls (@UNSRVAW) April 9, 2025
NCHR’s Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha, while addressing the Conference, said: “Governments alone cannot create justice. Civil society alone cannot ensure accountability. Donors alone cannot reform institutions. But together, through strategic collaboration, we can dismantle barriers to justice.”
Minister of State for Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Kheal Das was also among the notable speakers of the Conference. He said: “True justice is not merely the absence of crime or punishment, but the presence of fairness, the protection of human dignity, and the guarantee of equal rights for all citizens.”
Dr Samuel Rizk, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Pakistan and Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, were also present at the Conference.
The Conference concluded with the formation of six thematic working groups.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
