Siegert vows to recognize work for marginalized communities

2026-02-10 - 22:16

Netherlands’s Human Rights Award conferred on NCHR The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pakistan on Tuesday announced its annual Human Rights Tulip Award 2025 for the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in recognition of its vital institutional role in promoting accountability and safeguarding fundamental freedoms. Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert handed the prestigious award to Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson of NCHR “whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing the Commission’s mission and strengthening human rights advocacy across Pakistan.” It was a well-attended event as one could see a galaxy of guests assuring their support and congratulating the NCHR Chairperson Ms Agha, Member (Minorities) Manzoor Masih and others. Federal Minister for Law, Justice & Human Rights Azam Nazir Tarar was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Among the noted personalities in attendance were Minister of State for Law &Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Members of the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan, prominent HR voice in Pakistan Valerie Khan, The Dutch Ambassador for Human Rights, Wim Geerts, Senior Policy Officer of the Ministry of the Netherlands Foreign Affairs, Jeroen Verburg, Ambassadors of Poland, Sweden, Hungary, the European Union, senior diplomats, representatives of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and former recipient of the award including Asad Ali Toor. Presenting the award, Ambassador Robert-Jan Siegert said, “The National Commission for Human Rights has demonstrated how institutions can make a difference by shining light where it is most needed.