Pakistani groups honored with Pax Christi peace award ‎

The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan (CBCP) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have been awarded the 2016 Pax Christi International Peace Award.  Pax Christi, a non-profit, non-governmental Catholic peace movement headquartered in Brussels, Belgium,  said in a statement that both organizations were chosen as representatives of the nonviolent struggle of the human rights community in Pakistan.   "In a country where arbitrary detention, torture, deaths occurring while in custody, forced disappearances, institutional injustices against religious minorities, and extrajudicial execution are frequently reported, Pax Christi International honors the clear and courageous stand taken by practitioners of justice and peace against persistent patterns of violence and human rights violations," read the statement.  The two organizations will be honoured at a ceremony in Geneva at the World Council of Churches' Chapel on Nov. 17.

In her letter to the two organizations announcing this year’s choice, Greet Vanaerschot, Secretary General of Pax Christi International wrote, “Your tenacious work, performed in very difficult circumstances and at great personal risk, offers a sign of hope, courage and healing to those in your country who are facing tremendous suffering, violence and trauma in their daily lives.”

The HRCP plays a lead role in providing a highly informed and objective voice in the struggle for the provision of human rights for all and democratic development in Pakistan. They monitor human rights violations and seek redress through public campaigns, lobbying and intervention in the courts, while also organizing seminars, workshops and fact-finding missions. The NCJP‎ provides services in the field of human rights with special focus on issues of the religious minorities in Pakistan. Through its 8 offices across the country, NCJP runs peace programmes while also campaigning for an unbiased education system in order to counter religious intolerance in society.

Established in 1988, the Pax Christi International Peace Award is funded by the Cardinal Bernardus Alfrink Peace Fund and honours contemporary individuals and organizations who make a stand for peace, justice and nonviolence in different parts of the world.   (Source: Pax Christi)