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Musharraf for dialogue between civilizationsISLAMABAD, Dec 9 : President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday called for encouraging dialogue between civilizations to avert a clash among followers of various religions.
The President in a message on Human Rights day said Islam teaches deep respect for rights of all human beings, enjoins the eternal values of equal rights, social justice and peace, and banishes discrimination on the basis of class, colour or creed.
The President said he had propounded the concept of Enlightened Moderation, which has been endorsed and espoused by the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and commended by world leaders and institutions.
He said Pakistan joins the international community in observing the Human Rights Day. "This is an occasion for statesmen and world citizens alike to reiterate their firm commitment to the implementation of the Universal Declaration of human rights." He said on this day, "we must, individually and collectively, rededicate ourselves to the promotion and protection of human rights."
President Musharraf said respect for human rights is nurtured in neighborhoods, villages, townships and cities. "It is, therefore, essential that we create a salutary environment for
human rights through social and economic empowerment of all segments of our societies, especially those that are vulnerable and marginalized."Musharraf said "Our national and global priorities should include poverty alleviation and education for all. I believe that achievement of these goals is a shared responsibility of
communities and nations." He called for working towards the realization of civil and
political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.The President said Pakistan signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, on November 3, which he added was an important landmark in standard setting.
In Pakistan, he said human rights has been made into an essential part of national discourse and has enhanced dialogue on this subject with the international community and human rights machinery.
Recently, through a law he said the abhorrent practice of the so called honour killings has been criminalized.
President Musharraf said "we solemnly pledge to broaden the horizons of human consciousness by making renewed efforts to promote a culture of respect for human rights, tolerance, diversity, and pluralism."