Faisalabad: September 6, 2013. (PCP) The positive viewpoints, approach and thinking of the public can contribute to bring about positive changes in laws, policies and curriculum, this was emphasized by the participants at a meeting of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) under the banner of the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) held on August 30, 2013 at Faisalabad. Speaking on the occasion, the program director of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony said, “It is imperative for the human rights defenders to critically analyze the material being published in the media, which cause disharmony and intolerance among diverse communities. There is a need to publish positive material promoting social harmony and peaceful coexistence rather than intolerance and prejudice, with the intension to influence public attitudes and behaviors as positive change in thoughts and standpoints serve as a catalyst to reform laws and policies free of discrimination on any grounds.” The director of the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Suneel Malik said, “The human rights defenders must interact with administration, law enforcement agencies and bar association to have their cooperation and commitment to prevent violations of the Rights to Expression, Association, Assembly and Thought (REAT), and act positively to deal with the conflict situation, and take urgent actions to prevent any threat against weaker groups.” A political activist, Arif Ayaz said, “The human rights are universally accepted, and guaranteed in the national and international laws, but people are not enjoying their rights fully as the state is not giving much attention to its obligation under international commitments to respect, protect and fulfill human rights. Therefore, the human rights defenders have to strive hard to get the human rights fully realized and safeguarded by the state. A social activist, Naveed Walter said, “The human rights defenders has to be engaged for establishing helpline for effective human rights early warning system, and creating referral system and legal aid cell to protect human rights defenders, and victims hailing from sectarian and religious minority communities.” Over 40 human rights defenders including human rights activists, religious leaders, journalists, political activists, youth leaders and lawyers joined the meeting held at Faisalabad. The purpose of the network meeting was to encourage human rights defenders to act as arbitrator to mitigate and prevent the probable threats and damage of violence towards minority groups, and mobilize local influential to help resolve the conflict peacefully before it escalates, and motivate them to promote and protect human rights including right to expression, and right to freedom of belief through establishment of Human Rights Early Warning System and policy advocacy at all levels. The other among the dignitaries include; Amina Zaman (Director-ASDP), Christina Peter (Director-AWARD), Nazia Sardar (Director-AWAM), Robin Daniel (Political Activist), Iftikhar Ahmed (Coordinator-SAP), Shazia George, Faisal Rasheed, Zarfishan Nasir, Kehkshan Newton and Mujahid Gillani Advocate.