Hina Jilani

Hina Jilani is an advocate and human rights worker. She has practiced law since 1979 and co-founded Pakistan 's first all-female legal practice in 1981. She also co-founded the Women's Action Forum, a pressure group campaigning against Pakistan 's discriminatory legislation. She is also one of the founders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. In addition, Ms. Jilani is the special advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders. As head of the AGHS Legal Services, the pre-eminent Pakistani legal aid organization, she has challenged honour killings, violence against women including death by stove burning, child labour and the blasphemy laws. Her litigation on women's equal access to education, and freedom of marriage have informed new jurisprudence in Pakistan and the South Asian region. Her fight against the Pakistani Hudood laws continue to date.

Publications:

“Human Rights and Democratic Development in Pakistan .” Rights and Democracy. January 1998