The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have inaugurated the Shaista Ikramullah Human Rights Education Centre in Lahore, marking a significant step toward strengthening human rights education in Pakistan. The Centre has been established with European Union funding under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan-II project and is designed to promote interdisciplinary learning, research, and dialogue on human rights.
The Centre will function as an open platform for students, academics, researchers, civil society actors, and institutions, encouraging engagement with human rights principles beyond conventional classroom settings. By linking international human rights standards with local social and legal realities, SIHREC aims to empower youth and emerging advocates to play an active role in promoting dignity, equality, and justice.
Speaking at the inauguration, EU Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Raimundas Karoblis highlighted the EU’s long-standing partnership with Pakistan in advancing human rights and inclusive governance. He expressed hope that the Centre would inspire future generations of human rights leaders, following the legacy of Shaista Ikramullah, with contributions at both national and global levels.
Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, Abdul Khalique Shaikh, welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding human rights education and public engagement. He noted that platforms such as SIHREC help bridge theory and practice while fostering collaboration across sectors to uphold fundamental rights.
The inauguration brought together representatives from government, academia, civil society, and the diplomatic community. A panel discussion on connecting human rights studies with practical application featured contributions from the National Commission for Human Rights and Lahore University of Management Sciences. Support for the Centre’s activities will also come from the EU-established Global Campus of Human Rights.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk described human rights education as a critical investment in sustainable development and social inclusion. He emphasized that SIHREC offers a practical learning environment where young people can better understand and engage with systems that shape their rights and opportunities.
Related: UNDP focus group on training of journalism students held at PU
The event concluded with the opening of a student-led art exhibition titled “The Quiet Curriculum of Justice,” organized in collaboration with Kinnaird College for Women University. The launch also marked the beginning of a week-long series of workshops, training sessions, and activities aimed at establishing the Centre as a hub for sustained collaboration on human rights education in Pakistan.
