Geneva, Pakistan has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to address the situation in Kashmir and to eschew “double standards” in its approach to human rights issues globally. The call was made during a discussion on the future of the Geneva-based Council, highlighting concerns over selective attention to human rights issues and the need for a more balanced consideration of all types of rights.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Munir Akram, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, emphasized the Council’s responsibility to address a range of issues including racial discrimination, xenophobia, social inequalities, Islamophobia, and hate crimes. Akram pointed out that while certain issues receive significant attention at the HRC, others, like the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, are overlooked. This disparity, he argued, underscores the necessity of overcoming double standards in the Council’s handling of human rights “situations.”

The 47-member Council, which was established in 2006 to replace the 1946 Human Rights Commission, faces criticism for perpetuating some of the same issues that plagued its predecessor, including political biases and a selective approach to human rights that compromise its credibility. Akram highlighted concerns over the Council’s focus on civil and political rights at the expense of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to development.

Furthermore, the Pakistani envoy criticized the Council’s agenda for being overloaded with topics that should be addressed by other UN specialized agencies. He also raised concerns about efforts by Western countries to impose norms that clash with the national laws and cultures of other countries, specifically citing issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Akram noted that the mechanisms of the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are predominantly staffed by nationals from developed countries, suggesting an imbalance in representation.

The call for a more equitable and inclusive approach to human rights issues reflects Pakistan’s stance on the need for the United Nations Human Rights Council to address longstanding disputes like Kashmir without bias and in a manner that respects the diversity of global cultures and legal systems.