During a conference in Lahore titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil Rights in South Asia,’ a pro-Palestine protester interrupted German Ambassador Alfred Grannas’ speech on civil rights. The event, organized by the Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell (AGHS) in collaboration with the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), was attended by a diverse audience.
The protester voiced his shock at the ambassador’s presence, accusing Germany of brutally mistreating Palestinians while discussing civil rights. The interruption sparked applause and chants of “Free, Free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea” from the audience.
Grannas responded by urging the protester to voice his concerns outside if he wished to shout, emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue. The livestream of the event briefly muted Grannas’ comments and then disabled the livestream for a short period.
Upon resuming his speech, Grannas highlighted the significance of protecting human dignity, a fundamental aspect of civil rights. He praised Pakistan’s Constitution for explicitly guaranteeing the inviolability of human dignity and discussed the judiciary’s role in interpreting and safeguarding rights.
Grannas commended Pakistan’s courts for their positive impact on rights protection, citing examples such as abolishing compulsory attestation in criminal procedures and ending the controversial two-finger testing in rape cases.
He emphasized the importance of intellectual discussions and academic input in shaping court decisions and protecting basic human rights. Grannas concluded by expressing hope for fruitful discussions and acknowledging the legacy of Asma Jahangir, whose work continues to inspire discussions on fundamental rights and regional solidarity.
