Press Trust of India (27 March 2008)


Islamabad, Mar 27 (PTI) Pakistani rights activist Ansar Burney, who played a key role in the release of Indian prisoner Kashmir Singh has been elected as a member of the new United Nations Human Rights Council's Advisory Committee.

In accordance with a UN Human Rights Council resolution adopted last year, the Geneva-based Advisory Committee elected 18 human rights activists from across the world by secret ballot.

The former federal minister, who was in charge of human rights was elected unopposed for a term of three years as one of the members from Asia, said a statement issued by the Ansar Burney Trust.

The Committee has five members from African states, five from Asia, two from eastern European states, three from Latin America and the Caribbean. Three members are from western European and other countries. The first session of the UNHRC Advisory Committee will be held during August 4-15.

Burney, who recently served as caretaker minister for human rights, has returned to his position as Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust.

He was instrumental in the release of Indian prisoner Kashmir Singh, who had spent 35 years on deathrow in Pakistan's jail.

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