This quote reflects a significant shift in societal awareness regarding human rights over time. Initially, the concept of human rights did not hold much importance or relevance within a particular country's social and political context. However, as society evolved, attention gradually turned to more specific issues such as prisoners' rights. This progression indicates how broader human rights concerns can eventually lead to a focus on narrower, yet equally critical, aspects of the overall human rights framework.
The quote also serves as a reminder that addressing human rights is often an incremental process, where initial efforts may not cover all categories but instead start with more immediate and tangible issues like those faced by prisoners. This suggests that the recognition of various human rights can develop sequentially, with certain groups or situations becoming focal points before others gain prominence. Asma Jahangir’s statement highlights how awareness and activism around human rights can grow from a general concept to specific instances where individuals experience direct violations.
Asma Jahangir was a prominent Pakistani lawyer, author, and human rights activist who dedicated her life to the promotion and protection of human rights in Pakistan and internationally. She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and served as its first chairperson, working tirelessly to advocate for prisoners' rights, women's rights, and religious minorities’ freedoms. Jahangir’s work earned her numerous accolades and respect globally, making her a significant figure in the field of human rights activism.
