Quotes from Asma Jahangir

The morality of a society is not judged by the behaviour of an oppressed class but by the rules and laws made by the state, which either protect or exploit an already depressed section of society.

The state has not only the obligation to stay neutral in matters of religion but also to ensure that freedom of thought and conscience of all individuals is protected.

If state protects the rights of people, they start respecting the state.

I had been very impressed with the courts we visited to see my father. The judges wearing wigs, the lawyers, the legal arguments - it was all exciting stuff for a kid.

We have the tendency of over-legislation regarding women.

Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics but through making justice and equality before law a reality.

Terrorism and religious extremism are huge challenges. They go hand in glove.

I have protection. I have police protection. I have personal bodyguards. I have three sets of them. But believe me, this is really psychological for the family. If they want to get me, they can get me. And every time that I have been saved, it's been by coincidence.

I would simply not compromise on the fundamental rights of people.

Everything is a risk in Pakistan: If you defend women, it's a risk. If you defend non-Muslims it's a risk. If you discuss religion, it's a risk. But you can't really sit there like a vegetable in your own society. And I'm committed to that society... and I feel I need to turn around and speak as I should.

In 1986, Pakistan got the blasphemy law. So, while we had just two cases of blasphemy before that year, now we have thousands. It shows that one should be careful while bringing religion into legislation, because the law itself can become an instrument of persecution.

My family has equally suffered abductions, attacks and life threats, but I have continued my struggle for justice.

As a lawyer, many a time I took up difficult and sensitive cases dealing with minorities' and women's rights. Yes, I constantly receive threats, and to be very honest, at times it is very scary. But I have to continue my work.

There have always been difficult situations for activists in Pakistan. In the 1960s, people fought for linguistic and ethnic rights in relation to the Bangladesh movement and the struggle of the people in the western Balochistan province.

However flawed democracy is, it is still the only answer.

Good or bad people can be democratically elected, but it is always easy to fight for human rights under this system.

Even before his detention, my father was fighting many cases. He remained in jail in Multan. He remained in jail in Bannu. But we were not allowed to go see him there. We always saw him in courts. So for me, the courts were a place where you dressed up to see your father. It had a very nice feeling to it.

I had to face imprisonment and house arrests, but it made me tougher.

I have noticed encouraging signs in the fight against religious intolerance, and I am impressed by the outstanding degree of human rights activism in India.

I cannot bear to live where there is so much injustice and I cannot do something about it. What kind of a torturous life is that?

The way my father worked altruistically and the manner in which he used to go behind bars and come back home smilingly was inspirational.

There are some societies where women are not even allowed to drive a car, and that restriction is based in the name of religion and tradition. There are other countries where a woman can be punished if she does not cover her head.

To set a trap for a handful of promiscuous individuals, the Zina law has laid a minefield for women in difficult circumstances.

We want a country which is not isolated and where democracy rules.