The late Asma Jahangir had served as UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran. In 2014 she received France's highest civilian award and Sweden's Right Livelihood Award, for her decades of rights work. There is no doubt about the fact that only a few rights activists have achieved the credibility of Asma. She braved death threats, beatings and imprisonment to win landmark human rights cases while standing up to dictators, particularly General Ziaul Haq.
The best of her legacies in Pakistan will be the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). This institution has played a highly important role towards defending religious minorities and women. Asma will also be remembered for her victories in bonded labour cases. Her death has certainly created a void that is not going to be filled easily. The lawyers' community in particular is required to carry forward Asma's mission as she too was a lawyer and fought fearlessly for the down-trodden sections of society throughout her life. Her sister, Hina Jilani, who is also a noted rights activist, can also be looked up to in this regard. Asma will always be remembered for her profoundly strong commitment to human rights in Pakistan. No doubt, she was one of the most prominent faces of Pakistan and her hometown Lahore.
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