LAHORE: Pakistan and the European Union have reaffirmed their partnership on human rights and inclusive governance with the inauguration of the Shaista Ikramullah Human Rights Education Centre in Lahore, aimed at strengthening human rights education, research, and public engagement in the country.

The centre was inaugurated by the European Union, through funding under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said the initiative reflected the EU’s long-term commitment to promoting human rights and inclusive governance in Pakistan.

He said the centre aims to support future leaders in human rights by linking local realities with global standards and encouraging informed engagement in national and international human rights discourse.

The Shaista Ikramullah Human Rights Education Centre (SIHREC) has been designed as an interdisciplinary platform for learning, research, and dialogue. It will support students, academics, researchers, civil society actors, and institutions working on human rights, while promoting engagement beyond traditional classroom settings.

Officials said the centre will actively involve students and emerging human rights advocates in its programmes and research priorities, helping build a community that connects theory with practice.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, Abdul Khalique Shaikh, welcomed the establishment of the centre and reiterated the government’s support for initiatives that strengthen human rights education and public awareness. He said platforms such as SIHREC help encourage collaboration among government institutions, academia, and civil society in promoting dignity, equality, and justice.

The inauguration ceremony brought together representatives from government, universities, civil society organisations, and the diplomatic community. It also featured a panel discussion on bridging human rights education and practice, with participation from the National Commission for Human Rights and the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

The Global Campus of Human Rights, a global human rights education initiative supported by the European Union, will contribute to key activities at the centre.

UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan Dr. Samuel Rizk said human rights education plays a critical role in building inclusive societies by shaping how people experience justice, dignity, and opportunity. He said the new centre provides a space for learning that is grounded in real-world practice and supports young people in engaging constructively with systems affecting their rights and choices.

The event concluded with the opening of a student-led art exhibition titled “The Quiet Curriculum of Justice”, organised in collaboration with Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore. The exhibition marked the beginning of SIHREC’s opening week, which will include workshops, training sessions, and engagement activities to introduce the centre’s mandate and foster long-term collaboration in human rights education.