CECS Seminar on Human Rights Restoration in Pakistan and US: Congress Members, Scholars Participate, Call for Diaspora Unity
By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Dallas, Texas: A special seminar was organized by the Center of Excellence for Community Services (CECS) to raise global awareness about the challenges of human rights in Pakistan and to empower the Pakistani diaspora in the United States. Renowned global experts participated in the event. The central theme of the seminar was “Human Rights in Pakistan: Challenges and Solutions,” with an emphasis on encouraging the diaspora to play an active role in this struggle.
The seminar was attended by Congresswoman Julie Johnson, a member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee; local mayor Steve Babick; prominent intellectuals from Pakistan; and global human rights advocates. Dr. Rick Halperin and Ryan Grim participated via Zoom video link. Nadeem Zaman, the founding president of CECS and the driving force behind the event, welcomed the guests, stating that they are committed to amplifying the voices of justice seekers in Pakistan to the global stage. He thanked the community members and especially participants who traveled from five states, including New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C., to attend the event.
Congresswoman Julie Johnson praised Nadeem Zaman for his efforts in raising awareness about human rights issues within the community, calling it commendable. She emphasized her support for the people of her district and expressed her commitment to working alongside CECS and Nadeem Zaman in restoring human rights. Steve Babick, the Mayor of Carrollton, described CECS’s efforts as “a beacon of hope” for immigrant communities, emphasizing that serving humanity transcends geographical boundaries.
During the seminar, a panel of experts shared their thoughts on the theme “Break the Silence, Raise Your Voice!” Dr. Shahbaz Gill, former advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, strongly criticized human rights violations in Pakistan, suggesting that those involved in such violations should face social boycotts. Dr. Moeed Pirzada from Global Village Space urged the Pakistani diaspora in the U.S. to use their votes and influence to bring about change in their homeland, appealing to them to exert pressure for reforms in Pakistan.
Dr. Rick Halperin, Director of the Human Rights Program at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and former president of Amnesty International, delved into the depth of the issue, stating that education and continuous dialogue are key to societal change. Professor Wajahat Saeed Khan from New York University shed light on the media’s responsibility, emphasizing that media outlets should cover injustices happening in Pakistan’s marginalized areas, as unreported incidents are often the most dangerous.
Ryan Grim from The Drop Site News suggested presenting human rights stories as human-interest narratives. He advised the media to focus not only on the tragedies but also on potential solutions when covering human rights issues.
Participants from various Texas cities, including Houston, Austin, Waco, and Tyler, attended the seminar, posed questions to the panel, and shared their suggestions. The attendees emphasized that it is time to wake up, raise awareness, and take action. The seminar saw significant participation from youth, who pledged to play their part in highlighting human rights violations in Pakistan globally through social media.
In his closing remarks, Nadeem Zaman announced that this was just the beginning. He committed to building an international coalition for human rights by acting as a bridge between the U.S. and Pakistan. He further revealed plans to launch a “Global Human Rights Network” within the next year. At the conclusion of the event, participants joined a networking session with the panel members.
