Country Programs

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» Current Request for Proposals - due December 29, 2010

Although Pakistan made the transition in 2008 from a military regime to a democratically-elected civilian government, the country is suffering the consequences of political upheaval, militant influences, corruption, and ongoing human rights challenges.  Discrimination on the basis of class hierarchy, religion, and gender is pervasive.  Economic discrimination against ethnic minority populations—such as the Baluch, Sindhis, and Pakhtuns who represent some 33 percent of the population—persists.  Militant threats undermine prospects for the rule of law.  In addition, activists assert that judicial corruption, police abuse, and violence against women and religious minorities, are all widespread.

Presently, the Fund’s program in Pakistan seeks to increase the depth and breadth of the human rights movement by strengthening efforts to protect and promote the rights of the most marginalized and highly vulnerable groups, including children and religious and sexual minorities; to build the capacity of affected communities to mobilize for the protection of their labor, land, water, and livelihood related rights; and to support women's rights activism to combat discrimination and violence against women and promote women's economic and political rights.  In addition, the Fund is supporting the development of local tools and resources for the safety and security of human rights defenders in Pakistan.  The Fund is also supporting human rights organizations to promote the integration of human rights protections into post-flood recovery and rehabilitation efforts. 

The Fund aims to provide sustainable support for human rights organizations.  To that end, we maintain a long-term focus on specific countries and regions where we believe strategic grant-making can make a difference in advancing human rights protections over time.  The Fund has had a grants program in Pakistan since 2003.