About HRCP

Established in 1986 and registered in 1987, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is the country’s apex independent human rights body. A membership-based organisation, HRCP is committed to realising the entire ambit of human rights—civil, political, economic, social, and cultural—for all citizens and persons present in the country. HRCP uses the framework provided by the fundamental freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan as well as international human rights instruments, to some of which Pakistan is a state party. 

The organisation’s secretariat is based in Lahore, with regional offices in Karachi, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Turbat, Multan, and Gilgit. HRCP’s Centre for Democratic Development operates from Islamabad. Our offices work with volunteers at the district level, augmented by hundreds of active members in cities and towns across Pakistan.

HRCP is a founding member of South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA). It was elected to FORUM-ASIA’s executive council in 2018 and currently serves as treasurer. HRCP is also an active member of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM).