Asma Jahangir is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. She has
represented several clients who were denied their fundamental rights. Notable
amongst them are the cases she fought for brick kiln workers, who are mostly
bonded labourers in Pakistan. She represented them and was subsequently
successful in getting a legislation passed through the parliament in favour of
bonded workers. She has defended cases of discrimination against religious
minorities, women and children. She defended three Christians, one amongst
them a fourteen-year-old boy, accused of blasphemy. In her effort to secure
justice for the disadvantaged groups she has been frequently threatened by
militant groups. Asma and her family also faced murderous attempt by the
militants of religious outfit in 1995.
Ms. Asma Jahangir has suffered imprisonment and house arrests because of her
role as a human rights defender. Her services to the cause of human rights have
been recognized by the government and civil society of Pakistan. She is also
recipient of a number of international awards. Amongst these are the Martin
Ennals and the Roman Magsaysay awards