Faisalabad: December 12, 2012. (PCP) Human Rights Focus Pakistan(HRFP) in collaboration with Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) celebrated International Human Rights Day (December 10, 2012) aiming to create, extend and raise awareness of minorities’ fundamental human rights with positive and sustainable outcomes. The core objective of celebrating Human Rights Day was to empower that individuals/class that experiences and victimizes belief based and gender based violent acts and discriminatory attitudes from the society because of their less or no knowledge about their basic human rights. Keeping in view the plight of marginalized groups, the human rights day was celebrated in the form of Grand Event that contribute to protect, promote and implement fundamental rights of religious minorities, women and children. The theme of the event was “Inclusion and Right of Minorities and Women to participate in Public Life”. All the activities of the event were designed in accordance with the above mentioned theme. For the purpose of broader impact and reach out to bigger public, many local Ngo’s, Groups, Political Workers, Lawyers, Decision Makers, Religious Leaders of different religions and human rights activists from Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai, Ahamdi, Shia and Muslim community were invited. The target groups of awareness event were the religious minorities, women, children and marginalized groups. The involvement of Key Stakeholders of the Society was the source of encouragement and off course hope for the target groups. The effective medium of awareness: Brochures regarding minorities’ rights was also circulated to broaden the impact of International Human Rights Day. Through this event, efforts were made with a motive of creating violence free society for the minorities, women, children and marginalized groups. This event also focuses on strengthening minorities by imparting them the consciousness of human rights in general and minorities’ rights in particular. The event consists of cultural performances, lesson oriented theater, human rights songs, human rights speeches, human right documentary and various other plays that contain human rights elements. The awareness event certainly contributes in enhancing the knowledge of minorities, women and children regarding their fundamental rights. In a Nutshell, the awareness event proofed to be a healthy activity for the minorities, women and children because of its positive outcome that will resulted through uniting, mobilizing and giving human rights education to participants representing religious minorities, women, children and marginalized groups. The main speakers of the event were Naveed Walter (President HRFP), Mr. Khalil Tahir Sindhu(Member Provincial Assembly & Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Law), Mrs. Christina Peter(Women Activist), Mr. George Clement(Ex-MNA), Ms. Shagufta Shafique (Advocate High Court), Dr. Farhang Yaktai ( Activist of Bahai Community), Sufi Masood Ahmed Siddique (Islamic Scholar), Sardar Gurmeet Singh(Activist of Sikh Community), Fr. Nisar Barkat (Activist), Robin Daniel(Political Worker), Prof. Anjum James Paul(Educationist), Rai Naveed Zafar Advocate(Legal Advisor HRFP), Raja Thomas(Political Worker) and others. Mr. Naveed Walter President for Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) expresses his determination to work for the rights of vulnerable community until they attain all the rights. Mr. Naveed Walter enlightened the interpretation of Quaid-e-Azam 11th August Speech in the 1st Constituent Assembly regarding the equal status and fundamental rights of Religious Minorities. Mr. Naveed Walter stressed that Speech of Quaid-e-Azam should be made the part of Pakistan’s Constitution. He said the Present Constitution is contrary to the founding logic of Pakistan. Naveed Walter also invited the representatives of all human rights organizations, civil society, political leaders, lawyers, teachers and youth present in the Hall to join hands with Human Rights Focus Pakistan and Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) for creating violence and aggression free society in the long run struggle. Mr. Khalil Tahir Sindhu(Member Provincial Assembly & Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Law) speaks out on the core issues of Religious Minorities. His Speech portrayed the factors and actors that are responsible for creating religious discrimination and Religious Minorities violations in various aspects of life. He shared that the issue of allotting 20 Additional Marks to Hafiz-e-Quran and ignoring minority students of such additional marks is a severe form of prejudice and chauvinism. He shared that we are working hard on providing same benefits to minority students as well. Mr. Khalil Tahir Sindhu acknowledged the efforts and steps of HRFP in defending human rights of vulnerable community and religious minorities. Mrs. Christina Peter (Women Activist), spoke on the deprive human rights of rural women. She said the women of 21st century need to develop and prosper in every field of life. The ambitions of any individuality cannot be ignored just because of being Women. She stress that “Every day should be Human Rights Day” and the concept of thinking women marginalized, depressed and miserable should be altered. Mr. George Clement (Ex-MNA) expressed his opinion on the root causes of minorities’ vulnerability. He said attaining equal rights for minorities in all aspect of life is a “Milestone” and its achievement needs a reform in Constitution. Mr. George Clement stress that the Constitution is the foundation of religious prejudice against minorities. Ms. Shagufta Shafique(Advocate High Court) talks on legal aspects regarding the rights of women and children. She enlightened various articles that clearly protect the rights of vulnerable community. Dr. Farhang Yaktai( Activist of Bahai Community), was pleased on the occasion of International Human Rights Day as he spoke and shared the ideal and harmonious thoughts of Violence free Society and implementation of true human values and dignity among others by the joint efforts. Sufi Masood Ahmed Siddique (Islamic Scholar) stress on the importance of human rights. He was of the view that “Humanity Comes First than Religions”. Sufi Masood put light on the issues of religious discrimination and intolerance. He said that belief based violence is absolutely intolerable and excruciating. Sardar Gurmeet Singh(Activist of Sikh Community), relates the patience and sacrifice to human rights implementation. He said our society completely lacks these traits. He recommends that the practice of Patience and Sacrifices in small steps of life will eventually lead in eradication hostile nature of our Society. Professor Anjum James Paul (Educationist) highlighted the areas where minorities are subjected to various acts of humiliation and mortification. Mr. Paul put light on the negative role of academic syllabus in creating negative picture of minorities in various aspects of life. A Creative theater was also performed by a team of Professional Theater Group. The theater consisted of three effective portions. In the first session the core issues of minorities that they face socially and professionally was focused, the second portion of the theater focuses on women violence issues that they faces at domestic level and at workplace, the third portion was based on interaction among the participants. In the interactive activity, the leader of theater group applied participatory approach in drawing out the actual message conclusion of the theater. . To promote and implement minorities’ rights among general public, brochures containing the message of “Protecting and Promoting Minorities Rights” and “Stop Discrimination against Minorities” were circulated among the participants of the Awareness Event. Through the help of all speakers and likeminded groups and individuals the Recommendations were formed and sent to Media, Government and decision makers on national level and international level.