Islamabad, Dec 12: To commemorate World Human Rights Day, Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), in collaboration with the French Embassy and Alliance Française, Islamabad, hosted a thought-provoking event featuring the screening of two powerful documentaries, Unfathomable: The Story of Sharafat and Shackled: The Tragic Life of Ghulam Abbas.
Held at Alliance Française, Islamabad, the event brought together diplomats, civil society leaders, journalists, and students to shed light on systemic injustices faced by Pakistan’s marginalized prisoners.
In his opening remarks, French Ambassador H.E. Nicolas Galey emphasized the universal nature of human rights. “Events like these amplify the voices of the marginalized,” he stated. “The stories of Sharafat and Ghulam Abbas urge us to act for systemic reform.”
Directed by Sikandar Vincent Khan, Unfathomable delves into the wrongful conviction of Sharafat due to power dynamics and flawed forensics. Meanwhile, Shackled, directed by Tabish Ali Shargo, exposes the neglect of prisoners with psychosocial disabilities, spotlighting the unfulfilled promises of the 2021 Safia Bano judgment.
A panel discussion, moderated by JPP’s Executive Director Sarah Belal, featured Barrister Ahmed Pansota, behavioral psychologist Dr. Mowadat Rana, and Sarah Belal. They emphasized the urgent need for reforms to protect vulnerable populations.
“These films remind us that every life matters,” said Belal. “We must demand justice from our systems and ourselves.” Dr. Rana added, “Legal protections must be implemented with compassion, not just symbolically.”
Alliance Française Director Ali Bhatti praised JPP’s dedication, stating, “Their advocacy reminds us of the power of storytelling to drive meaningful change.”
The evening concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, encouraging dialogue on the future of Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Justice Project Pakistan is a Lahore-based NGO committed to defending the rights of vulnerable prisoners and advocating for systemic reforms to uphold justice and human dignity.
