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" Everything is a risk in Pakistan: If you defend women, it's a risk. If you defend non-Muslims it's a risk. If you discuss religion, it's a risk. But you can't really sit there like a vegetable in your own society. And I'm committed to that society... and I feel I need to turn around and speak as I should. "

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" Even when we talked about child labor, we were frowned upon. But then you know that you have to speak the truth irrespective of the repercussions. "

Asma Jahangir

Labor

You

Truth

" The morality of a society is not judged by the behaviour of an oppressed class but by the rules and laws made by the state, which either protect or exploit an already depressed section of society. "

" Agencies must know who they are accountable to. If the agencies know who they are accountable to but we cannot say who they are accountable to, then really it is a very sad situation that is bound to be misused. It is bound to affect human rights. "

" When there is oppression and dictatorship, by not speaking out, we lose our dignity. "

" I have no illusions about our elected politicians. Pakistani democracy is anything but perfect. "

" We want a country which is not isolated and where democracy rules. "

" It is not easy for the courts to control the intelligence agencies. There has to be concerted and coordinated effort on part of the courts, the parliament, and the government. "

" Past experience has shown that the Islamists gain space when civilian authority weakens. "

" The state has not only the obligation to stay neutral in matters of religion but also to ensure that freedom of thought and conscience of all individuals is protected. "

" The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing. "

" In 1986, Pakistan got the blasphemy law. So, while we had just two cases of blasphemy before that year, now we have thousands. It shows that one should be careful while bringing religion into legislation, because the law itself can become an instrument of persecution. "

" I think I have lived enough in this country where I can say what I think is true and which is the voice of my conscience. "

" Every fair-minded person holding a position of authority must support the few who have stood up against the injustice being perpetrated in the name of blasphemy. "

Asma Jahangir

Name

Injustice

" Yes, I am very unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa; but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more passion for them. "

" I cannot bear to live where there is so much injustice and I cannot do something about it. What kind of a torturous life is that? "

" We are so resilient as a people. I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy. The spirit of our intelligentsia cannot be broken. "

" Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics but through making justice and equality before law a reality. "

" I don't need a certificate of my patriotism from those in the establishment. "

" There used to be very few women in prisons, but this changed with the introduction of the hudood laws. "

" I am certainly not a martyr kind of a person. I love my life. But if one has to, then there is nothing more nobler a cause that I can think of. "

" Good or bad people can be democratically elected, but it is always easy to fight for human rights under this system. "

" Crime takes place in every country. But it becomes abuse when the state is unwilling and unable to protect the life and honour of its citizens. "

" I would simply not compromise on the fundamental rights of people. "

" The interaction between human rights campaigners from Pakistan and India was a big taboo in the 1980s. When we started traveling to India to increase people-to-people contact between the two nations, we knew that we would face serious repercussions back home. "