Asma Jahangir

Asma Jilani Jahangir is a Pakistani human rights lawyer and social activist who dedicated her life to defending women, children, and religious minorities. She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and served as a United Nations Special Rapporteur. Her work spanned decades of legal advocacy and political activism against discriminatory legislation.

Early life and education

Jahangir was born in Lahore on 27 January 1952 into a prosperous Muhajir family with roots in the Kakazai Pashtun tribe. Her father, Malik Ghulam Jilani, was a civil servant who became a political activist after his retirement. He faced imprisonment and house arrest for opposing various military dictatorships. Her mother, Begum Sabiha Jilani, attended Forman Christian College and operated her own clothing business. The family lost their lands in 1967 because of the political opinions held by her father.

Jahangir studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary before pursuing higher education in Lahore. She earned a B.A. from Kinnaird College and obtained her LLB from Punjab University Law College in 1978. After completing her studies, she joined the chamber of Barrister Ijaz Hussain Batalvi. She was called to the Lahore High Court in 1980 and later to the Supreme Court in 1982.

Career

Her professional journey began with a focus on legal aid and democratic activism. In 1980, she and her sister Hina Jilani established the first law firm created by women in Pakistan. They also helped form the Women’s Action Forum to campaign against discriminatory laws such as the Hudood Ordinances. During a protest in 1983, Jahangir was arrested and beaten by police while defending women's rights. She famously defended Safia Bibi, a blind teenager, which eventually led to an appeals court overruling a wrongful verdict.

Jahangir co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 1987 and served as its Secretary-General. She rose to the position of chairperson in 1993. In 1986, she and Hina also established the AGHS Legal Aid Cell, which operates the Dastak shelter for women. Her activism often placed her in direct conflict with the state—she was imprisoned in 1983 and placed under house arrest in November 2007.

Her influence extended to international human rights bodies through several high-profile roles. She served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion from August 2004 to July 2010. Later, in 2016, she was named the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran. She also held a position as a trustee at the International Crisis Group and served as vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights.

In the legal field, she made history by becoming the first woman to serve as President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She was a prominent leader during the Lawyers' Movement and participated in United Nations fact-finding missions regarding Israeli settlements. Her written works include titles such as The Hudood Ordinance: A Divine Sanction? and Children of a Lesser God.

Personal life

Jahangir married Tahir Jahangir, who is a member of a business clan and serves as the chairman of Punjab Oil Mills. The couple had three children: a son named Jillani Jahangir, a journalist daughter named Munizae Jahangir, and a lawyer daughter named Sulema Jahangir. She was also a devoted grandmother to her first grandchild, Natasha Asma Rouse.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, she received numerous prestigious honors for her commitment to human rights. She won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2005 and the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 1995. In 2014, she shared the Right Livelihood Award with Edward Snowden for protecting human rights under difficult conditions. Her honors also include the Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Sitara-i-Imtiaz.

International recognition included a Legion of Honour from France and an honorary degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2016. Following her death in February 2018, she was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz on 23 March 2018. This award represents the highest degree of service to the state.