Have You Heard Of... Asma Jahangir?

Asma Jahangir was a lawyer and human rights activist.

Asma was from Pakistan. As a young woman, she became involved in politics when her Father was arrested for criticising Pakistan’s military rulers. Asma went to a lawyer to enlist them to petition for her Father’s release. The lawyer wanted Asma to get her Mother’s permission and assistance in putting the petition together. Asma replied that since her Mother was rather incapacitated by sorrow at the time, it would be better if she and the lawyer put the papers together, and Asma took it home for her Mother to sign. The lawyer asked how old Asma herself was, and finding she was 18, declared it was acceptable for her to sign the petition herself. Asma did so, and the case – ‘Miss Asma Jilani v The Government of Punjab’ eventually became one of Pakistan’s landmark judgements.

Asma went on to train as a lawyer, and with her sister and two other female lawyers, started Pakistan’s first all-female law firm. The focus of Asma’s work, throughout her career, was to champion the human rights of women, children, the poor, and minority groups. Asma fought for justice for the oppressed, and she came under strong criticism for her deeply held views and challenging stance on behalf of those for whom she worked and campaigned. Sometimes Asma’s very life was in jeopardy because of her work and vision of equality; she remained undeterred. Her courage to tackle abuses of human rights was unflagging.

Asma Jahangir won many prestigious awards, and among many other achievements, set up the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 1986.

Asma died, age 66, in Lahore, Pakistan.

buy a postcard of asma here!