Pakistan, a candidate for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, wants the world to think it "is firmly resolved to uphold, promote and safeguard universal human rights and fundamental freedoms for all" - notwithstanding its actual, deplorable human rights record.
Pakistan's propaganda was distributed in a glossy brochure at an event at UN Headquarters on September 11, 2017, featuring candidates for the 2018-2020 Human Rights Council term. Pakistan is one of the five candidates running for the four slots available to UN member states from the Asian regional group (the other candidates are Afghanistan, Malaysia, Nepal, and Qatar). According to the brochure, "Pakistan considers human rights as the bedrock for peace and democracy at home and abroad. We are determined to ensure that every Pakistani citizen lives in equality, dignity and freedom with complete protection of fundamental human rights without any discrimination... The Government will earnestly endeavor for promotion and protection of the rights of women..." Pakistan claims that "a vote for Pakistan will be a vote to advance our cherished ideals, of human dignity and respect for human rights; a vote for genuine dialogue and cooperation amidst diversity of views and perspectives; above all, a vote for our common humanity."
In reality, a vote for Pakistan is a vote supporting repression and human rights violations. Here is Pakistan's actual human rights record according to the U.S. State Department's most recent country report on human rights (released in March 2017):
"The most serious human rights problems were extrajudicial and targeted killings; disappearances; torture; lack of rule of law (including lack of due process, poor implementation and enforcement of laws, and frequent mob violence and vigilante justice); gender inequality; violence against gender and sexual minorities; and sectarian violence... Harassment of journalists continued, with high-profile attacks against journalists and media organizations. There were government restrictions on freedom of assembly and limits on freedom of movement. Government practices and certain laws limited freedom of religion, particularly for religious minorities. Discrimination against religious minorities, and sectarian violence continued. Corruption within the government and police, as well as rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, honor crimes, other harmful traditional practices, and discrimination against women and girls remained serious societal problems...Lack of government accountability remained a problem, and abuses often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity among the perpetrators whether official or unofficial."