Unpacking International Commitments: Assessing the Implementation of ICCPR, ICESCR, and the Convention Against Torture in Pakistan's Legal Framework

Abstract

Since time immemorial, the discourse surrounding human rights has occupied a central position in societal discussions. In the earliest epochs, these rights were not systematically codified, with the process evolving over centuries. A significant watershed moment occurred post-World War II, marked by the establishment of the United Nations and the consequential adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Notwithstanding Pakistan's ratification of the majority of international Human Rights covenants, a comprehensive integration into its domestic legal framework remains elusive. This research article delves into an analysis of three pivotal Human Rights agreements, namely the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the Convention Against Torture. The study analyzes the extent of these treaties' assimilation within the domestic legal system, elucidating the complexities and impediments hindering complete incorporation. The ensuing discourse proffers substantive recommendations aimed at facilitating the seamless integration and efficacious implementation of these international accords, thereby fortifying the safeguarding of human rights on a national scale.