60th anniversary of UDHR celebrated

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

KARACHI: To mark the 60th anniversary of Article No 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) that states, “All human beings are born free and equal,” the Goethe-Institut and ‘Remembrance, Responsibility and Future’ recently held the 2nd International Short Film Competition.

Students from film and art colleges in Germany, Estonia, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and the USA were asked to take a critical look at the rights to freedom and equality in dignity and the rights that the first declaration pronounces.

In each of the ten participant countries, a national jury could offer up to five entrants the chance to turn their ideas into film. About 292 synopses were submitted and 47 entries were chosen for realisation by the national juries. In the end, 43 films were actually produced and 26 of these received awards. These short films were presented in a special programme at the International Festival of Film Colleges in Munich, Germany.

The Goethe-Institut Pakistan and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Karachi graciously organised a showing of these award-winning productions on Thursday.

Goethe-Institut Director Dr Markus Litz said although the declaration was signed in 1948, it is regarded as nothing more than a mere piece of paper in many countries.

HRCP Co-coordinator Shamsuddin said he was thankful to Goethe for bringing the short film competition to Pakistan.

He went on to describe the many violations of human rights in the country and its neighbouring countries. ameer h ahmad