Asma Jahangir Quotes
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There was a time that human rights was not even an issue in this country. Then prisoners' rights became an issue.
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Good or bad people can be democratically elected, but it is always easy to fight for human rights under this system.
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As a lawyer, many a time I took up difficult and sensitive cases dealing with minorities' and women's rights. Yes, I constantly receive threats, and to be very honest, at times it is very scary. But I have to continue my work.
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I had to face imprisonment and house arrests, but it made me tougher.
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I have protection. I have police protection. I have personal bodyguards. I have three sets of them. But believe me, this is really psychological for the family. If they want to get me, they can get me. And every time that I have been saved, it's been by coincidence.
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In 1986, Pakistan got the blasphemy law. So, while we had just two cases of blasphemy before that year, now we have thousands. It shows that one should be careful while bringing religion into legislation, because the law itself can become an instrument of persecution.
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I am certainly not a martyr kind of a person. I love my life. But if one has to, then there is nothing more nobler a cause that I can think of.
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One example that has hurt me is that of Aung San Suu Kyi. I admire her a lot, but her unwillingness to protect the Rohingiya Muslims shows how intolerance has seeped into politics and the level at which it has seeped. It immobilises politicians.
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The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing.
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There used to be very few women in prisons, but this changed with the introduction of the hudood laws.
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Crime takes place in every country. But it becomes abuse when the state is unwilling and unable to protect the life and honour of its citizens.
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I don't need a certificate of my patriotism from those in the establishment.
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I had been very impressed with the courts we visited to see my father. The judges wearing wigs, the lawyers, the legal arguments - it was all exciting stuff for a kid.
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We eat, drink, and sleep religion, but we do not do good.
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Yes, I am very unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa; but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more passion for them.
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I think I have lived enough in this country where I can say what I think is true and which is the voice of my conscience.
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Attempts are being made to turn Pakistan into a security state. If they succeed they should better rename it 'ISIstan.'
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When General Musharraf took over, the Bar Association was among the first of some of the institutions that said they would not accept the Musharraf regime.
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Terrorism and religious extremism are huge challenges. They go hand in glove.
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Every religion curbs women rights to some extent. Some countries acted against religions and put a ban on wearing hijab, which was also a violation of human rights.
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A woman's whole life is spent making chicken curry while her husband works. Then, any time he likes, he can kick her out.
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There have always been difficult situations for activists in Pakistan. In the 1960s, people fought for linguistic and ethnic rights in relation to the Bangladesh movement and the struggle of the people in the western Balochistan province.
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Musharraf's government has a civilian face - there are still elections and assemblies - and he has come to believe his own propaganda that he really is a democrat.
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To set a trap for a handful of promiscuous individuals, the Zina law has laid a minefield for women in difficult circumstances.