Ms Asma Jahagir is a leading human rights activist in Pakistan, she served as an advocate to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and co-chair of South Asians for Human Rights. In 1998, she was appointed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Arbitrary or Summary Executions and later served as the United Nations Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. She was elected Vice-president of FIDH at last Congress in Yerevan on April 10th, 2010.
"The election of Asma Jahangir to the Supreme Court Bar Association constitutes an important step not only for the defence of the independence of the judiciary but also for the defense of human rights in general in Pakistan. We are confident that Asma will play a significant role for the better coordination of different institutions, in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan. Her election will contribute to the peaceful development of democratic institutions in the country" stated Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President.