During 2020 an unprecedented outbreak rocked the whole world. There was so relentless rise in its cases that in no time it grappled almost every country. Many countries imposed lockdown, ban on public transport and people were confined to houses. Whereas this virus caused economic and social loss, it has also instigated Human Rights abuses. “The State of the World’s Human Rights 2020/ 21” is a report of such abuses published by Amnesty International- an international non-governmental organization based in London.
AI (Amnesty International), consisting of 149 member countries, has brought into light the darker side of the pandemic year. It has unveiled the viruses which most of the countries faced during this year. These viruses include gender based violence, repression of dissent, discrimination, poor health care system, poverty etc. The state of Pakistan is no exceptional to it: Crackdown on the media, challenges for economic, social and cultural rights, prosecution of religious minorities, violence against women, even the health workers, who safeguarded the country during this tough time, were detained.
The year 2020 worsened the already deteriorated state of the country. Whereas the state was busy in grappling with the challenges of climate change, inflation, overpopulation, declining worth of the currency etc., the outbreak combined with increasing extremism exacerbated the state.
Prisoners were more vulnerable to the infectious disease as prisons were already populated. Religious segregation intensified. Workers were denied of their rights. The progress of education declined owing to the closure of schools. Enforced disappearance remained alarming.
Educational institutions were closed, and classes were moved online. But most of the students could not further their education because of lack of accessories. As per the report of Ai, “Internet coverage remained inadequate with some 68% of the population having limited or no access, especially in remote areas.”
The closure of factories, shops and working places deteriorated the worker’s situation. There was no way to manage the financial crisis. Their families had to sleep without eating anything. The government announced to create almost 60, 000 jobs to support these workers, but the promises, like always, could not be realized.
Women were harshly treated and abused during the pandemic. With growing use of social media, there was also an increase in women targeting. “Young men and boys are being radicalized into hating women through online group.” says a British author in his book. Domestic violence was reported more than ever. Sorrowfully, no practical steps were taken to counter such heinous crimes.
Freedom of religion and belief was often suppressed. In July the boundary wall of a Hindu temple was torn down by a mob. Some journalists were banned due to publishing blasphemous writing.
The economic challenges fuelled by the Human Rights abuses have aggravated the state of Pakistan. There is a dire need to eradicate these violations. Only then can our counter enter the avenues of development and progress. If these impediments are left unresolved, Pakistan would be caught into a battered atmosphere.
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