I've Seen Desmond Tutu, And You, Asma Jehangir, Are No Desmond Tutu
President Asif Ali Zardari is seeking to establish a South Africa-style truth and reconciliation commission to help heal wounds suffered during Pakistan's political history.
Mr Zardari has proposed that Asma Jehangir, Pakistan's most respected human rights lawyer, chair the commission, taking a role similar to that of Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa.
"The truth and reconciliation commission is important for us," said Mr Zardari.
Now, in principle I don't oppose such a measure -- why would I? -- though it should be noted that such commissions are usually instituted after political activity considerably more brutal than what we have experienced (the South Africans had one to deal with apartheid, the Rwandans had one to deal with their genocide). I also think it's highly unlikely to actually happen, but we'll see about that.
Be that as it may, is Asma Jehangir really the person to do this? I truly admire her work on a variety of issues, from press freedom to action concerning violence against women. But no one should pretend she isn't a hugely controversial personality. She has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. Shouldn't the person in charge of this be generally above reproach? How about an Aitzaz Ahsan-type, though I suppose the objection with him would be that he is avowedly political (being a member of a political party and all). Or how about someone who's disappeared off the radar, like a Moeen Qureshi-type? Either way, Asma Jehangir is perhaps not the best choice here.
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Pakistan
14 comments:
How about having some honorable judge like justice wajihuddin chair the commision?
agree with the title..m vote would be for cowasjee
Jibz: If we're going to have some former justice, I want Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim. If you can find Salim Malik not guilty of match-fixing, you're certainly the forgiving type. Bring him on.
Takhalus: Come on man. Cowasjee? What credibility does he have?
Wish Air Marshall Nur had been less old enough to chair such commission. I wouldnt mind someone like Asghar Khan. These are men of integrity
They are all dirty....Only one name comes to mind. Mr Edhi.
Asghar Khan would be a bad choice considering his famous letter to the chiefs of staff.
Ahsan, what exactly do you mean by controversial? I keep trying to think of any scandals that Jehangir has been involved with and can't come up with anything. Do you just mean that she and her co-workers at HRCP are usually considered to be traitors to the country by the usual rightwing suspects? I think that she would be a good choice - she founded the HRCP and it's the only organization that consistently speaks out against all human rights violations all over the country.
I agree with Rabia. Plus, if this is indeed a publicity stunt, it makes sense to pick someone who is a constant media presence/has a weird celebrity status thing going.
Health wise I don't know if either Fakhruddin or Nur Khan or Asghar Khan or Cowasjee in all seriousness have it in them to run such a difficult project considering their age and health. Edhi is not a good choice..his forway into politics in the 1980's left much to be desired.
Asma Jehangir is a very polarising figure ..far from a Tutu.
Rabia: It's not just the usual right-wing suspects. Plenty of liberals have problems with her too. And plus, even if you discount that, the "usual right-wing suspects" are 80% of the country. Someone in charge of such a venture should have credibility with all stakeholders, which she unfortunately does not.
What about Edhi?
Edhi dealing with Zardari and co?
No way.
Our country's greatest philanthropist would be forced to kill himself quicker than you can mutter "but there's a chance this'll happen."
Plus I think it's fantastical to believe that anyone will possess any considerable credibility with, well, anyone in Pakistani politics.
asma jehangir? really? hasnt this women been too close to the PPP for too long? what makes her impartial?
Asma Jehangir or someone else. Let the public decide whether they want this commission or not. If they want it then they can select the person of their choice not a Govt. one!
http://vop.com.pk
The commission will only work if the parties to be reconciled are sincere in coming together and working for a greater good. Since this is not the case, thus it can be safely assumed that even if reconciliation is accomplished, the parties will quarrel again when they find their "interests" clashing. So what difference does it makes who is heading the commission. Let it be film-star Meera for all I care.
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